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A dream to compete in the next Winter Olympics is a step closer to reality for a 21-year-old Queenstown ski champion, thanks to two local organisations.
Tim Cafe was the recipient of the inaugural Winter Festival Bruce Grant Trust Special Achiever award last night.
As a part of the award a special event has been organised to raise money for Mr Cafe in his campaign.
The WinterFestival Media Suite Charity Breakfast, to be held on Coronet Peak during the festival, will feature an auction specifically to raise funds for Mr Cafe, who has proved an ambitious and successful skier.
Items and activities on offer include a night for up to 30 people at Gobblers Lodge on Coronet Peak, an on-snow Ski Secrets session with Tim Cafe, and two tickets to the sold-out Winter Festival American Express Comedy Debate.
Participants are encouraged to bring ski or snowboard gear, dress in retro ski gear, and take part in or watch the American Express Ski Through the Decades event which follows the breakfast.
Festival director Sally Feinerman said the breakfast would be fun for people keen to support the trust and youth in the community.
It would also be perfect for those who simply wanted to enjoy an entertaining breakfast with mostly local people before taking to the slopes.
"The Bruce Grant Youth Trust is a charity long associated with Coronet Peak and the festival," Ms Feinerman said.
"Bruce Grant is remembered for many amazing sporting achievements, including his success in the Festival's Dash for Cash, which he won year after year despite other contestants teaming up in attempts to wrest the title."
The Winter Festival team was "delighted to support the trust", and to be organising an event which will support another potential Olympic skier.
The breakfast at Coronet Peak starts at 8am on Monday 29 June, and guests will be entertained by comedian Te Radar as MC before an auction and guest appearances.
Tickets to the breakfast cost $49 and are available online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or by phoning 0800FESTIVAL.
The Bruce Grant Youth Trust was set up in 1995 as a memorial to Bruce Grant, of Queenstown, who died after reaching the summit of K2 in the Himalayas on August 13, 1995.
Locally regarded as a Queenstown adventurer who had a special attitude to life, he was an Olympic skier (Sarajevo, 1984), a mountaineering great and an extreme sportsman.
He is considered to be an inspiration to local young people.
The trust was set up to preserve his legacy, and to recognise the efforts of young people who display a similar passion for life and a desire to achieve.
