Adaptive snowsports athletes at Coronet Peak

Some of New Zealand's top adaptive snowsports athletes competed in the disabled alpine national giant slalom and slalom championships at Coronet Peak this week.

"This is the first time the disabled alpine national championships have been held as part of the alpine national championships, as separate races held on the same course, at the same time," Adaptive Snow Sports manager Libby Blackley, of Wanaka, said.

Quentin Smith, of Wanaka, on a mono ski, won the adaptive national giant slalom champion title, with two speedy runs.

"As part of the development team, coached by Ben Adams, this is the first time for Quentin competing on a full FIS GS course. He stepped up to the level of the course well," Ms Blackley said.

The race was won by Paralympic skier Mitch Gourley, from Australia.

Joshua McKenzie-Brown, of Auckland, is the adaptive national slalom champion after skiing a difficult course with the aid of outriggers.

"[He] showed a huge amount of guts and determination to finish the slalom runs in a field where other adaptive athletes and over half of the able-bodied men's FIS competitors abandoned the course."

The final race of the national championships, Super G, will be held at Mt Hutt on Monday for both able-bodied racers and those with disabilities.