9th September 2004
Speed Ski Track at Turoa Fastest Natural Track in the World.

Have you booked your calendar"NZ Speed Ski Champs" October 6th - 10th at Turoa yet. Whether you want to compete or just watch this year's event will be one not to be missed.

'Speed Track' run on the Mangaehuehu Glacier with Girdlestone Peak above.
Photo taken 09/09/04. Note the snowboarder to get the scale of the speed track!!

Speed Ski New Zealand claims that this year, Turoa's speed track is the fastest natural speed course in the world and is ready to run with little work required.

Last year an enormous avalanche that encompassed the entire glacier swept from the the top of the glacier down to the tree line (about 1600m vertical.) The debris from this avalanche easily survived the summer months and has left the area in the basin of the glacier flattener than any time in the last 12 years.

This years enormous 3 metre (116 inches) snow cover has completely smoothed over the uneven avalanche debris leaving the glacier in a condition not seen since 1992.

Rob tests the snow at the top of the track.
Note: that this is completely natural, ungroomed snow.

Chris Gebbie, Speed Ski New Zealand's President commented that, "The top rollover is do able at approx 40kph maybe a little more, very similar to Sweden for those familiar with that course."

"Should we be blessed with a week of sunshine and similar snow conditions as today I am comfortable we will see a very fast race in New Zealand this year. The NZ record in NZ is just over 173km/hr, lets try and lift that into the terminal bracket!!!"

The course is unique in that it is largely dependant upon natural conditions to contour and finish the course. Due to it's proximity outside the licensed ski area boundary strict National Park regulation prevent any grooming to be carried out on the course.

"It comes down to hard yakka from the athletes on training and race days, everyone is required to side step down the course every day prior to racing until we are satisfied that it is safe and in the fastest condition," said Speed Ski New Zealand's vice-president David Scott.

"No Man, Women or dog has done over 200 kph on snow in the southern hemisphere since The legends' of the event raced in Chile in 1985,
the likes of Franz Weber, Steve McKinney, CJ Mueller," said Chris.

"Let's see how fast we can go 20 years on in 2004, see you there if you dare."

Chris Gebbie in action. Chris is currently New Zealand's only international speed skier. National Champion in 1992, 2nd in 1993. 2nd in the all time NZ speed ranking.