The organisers of next year's biennial Winter Games NZ say strong media interest in August's international event bodes well for the Otago region.
The first Winter Games NZ were held in Wanaka, Queenstown, Naseby and Dunedin in 2009, with media coverage estimated to reach 765 million people and be worth many millions of dollars to the region and the country.
Broadcasters from 14 regions have already confirmed interest in footage. They are from pan European and pan Asia Pacific organisations, as well as Germany, Britain, the United States and Australia. Work is progressing in China and Japan, Winter Games NZ chief executive Arthur Klap said.
The games are expected to attract up to 1000 international athletes competing in 17 sports and 37 events from August 13-28. Adaptive and able-bodied athletes will compete together.
Mt Hutt in Mid Canterbury has been added to the games venues for next year. It will host the super G and adaptive super G alpine racing.
