16th August 2002
Volkl North Island Speed Ski Champs Postponed

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The weather beat the event before it began. Rather than postpone on a day by day basis the Speed Ski New Zealand decided with the approval of DOC and Mt Ruapehu to run the event in October.

Turoa received about 60cm of new snow over the last few days. Due to wind transportation there is about 3.5m of new snow in the gully of the Mangaehuehu Glacier and the Avalanche Danger is extreme. Turoa Ski Area do not have permits to carry out snow control in the Tongariro National Park outside their ski area boundary.

"October is a much better time for the event when the snow is melt freeze and the temperatures are warmer.... there isn't much insulation in the latex speed ski suits that are used." said Speed Ski NZ secretary David Scott.

"We would like to have scheduled the event during October to start with but because we only gave notice of the event to Mt Ruapehu in March this year, we had to work in with their calendar." " It seems now they can fit us in and that DOC has accepted that the event will have no environmental impact on the park so should be OK with moving the dates of the permit."

New event dates will be announced once Mt Ruapehu and DOC confirm permits and support during October.

Brief New Zealand Mountain Forecast (MetService)

Valid to midnight on Saturday 17 August
Issued by MetService at 03:37pm 16-Aug-2002

North Island:
For the main ranges from the Raukumaras to the Kawekas: Fine, apart from isolated showers until about midday. Northerlies tending southwest overnight and becoming strong on the tops. Egmont and Tongariro National Parks and the main ranges from the Kaimanawas to the Tararuas: Occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms, but some fine periods as well. Northerlies tending southwest overnight and becoming strong on the tops. FREEZING LEVEL: Gradually lowering to 1400 metres.