For the first time since World War 2, the Erewhon Cup was not awarded this year.
The final match in the annual ice hockey tournament, held at Naseby this year, had to be abandoned as there was insufficient ice.
Last week, Maniototo Adventure Park manager Janet Steele said warm weather had made preparations difficult.
"Getting ice down has been pretty challenging for the last couple of weeks with the [warm] temperatures we have had.
"We were fortunate to get a couple of frosts [last] week and our ice maker, Jock Scott, has worked really hard to get a good foundation."
Ultimately, the weather prevailed and play was abandoned on Sunday.
Eleven teams from around the South Island competed for the title.
The Erewhon Cup has been fought over since 1937 and the matches are always on outdoor ice rinks.
Competitions rotate between Tekapo, Naseby and Alexandra because of the outdoor ice requirement.
Senior teams from the Southern Ice Hockey League battle each year for possession of the sterling silver trophy.