Event's future secured

The fledgling Wanaka Waterski and Wakeboard Club's inaugural Wanaka Slalom Open competition attracted hundreds to watch the 33 competitors from around the lower South Island.

Club president Gerald Harraway said the Paddock Bay slalom course and conditions were excellent for the competition on Saturday.

Mark Williams, of Wanaka, returned the day's highest overall score and won the top division in category 5.

The abilities of the Wanaka skiers, many of whom did not have much tournament experience, had impressed more experienced competitors from Dunedin and Christchurch, Mr Harraway said"It was big for us, considering the Canterbury champs only had 18 skiers attend."

Christchurch skier Deb Bain's result in the women's second division could have been a New Zealand record but the Wanaka club is not yet affiliated with the national organisation and the tournament was not a sanctioned event.

"To get this calibre of skiers here in our first year was just fantastic, and then having several personal bests set just topped it all off," Mr Harraway said.

Club members first started skiing together about four years ago, but they did not become a serious club until about two years ago.

The club has successfully negotiated with the Queenstown Lakes district harbourmaster to obtain a permanent slalom course in Paddock Bay, near the Glendhu Bluffs.

One-off permission was also obtained to hold the weekend's competition on another course closer to the shore.

Mr Harraway said the positive feedback meant the event would now become an annual occasion.

"Obviously, Wanaka is a great place and people want to come here," he said.

All skiers ran three rounds with best two scores deciding the winners.