Taupo Ski Club October 2017 Newsletter

Welcome to the last newsletter of the ski season. With only just over a week to go (Whakapapa is closing on Monday 23 October) we can reflect on a varied season both weather and snow wise. Not since August have we had more than 4 days of fine weather in a row but we have had a couple of good snow dumps at timely moments spread through August and September and even one last Wednesday!
Lodge usage has been about average with most weekends full but the school holidays (both sets) were varied due to either low snow levels or bad weather. At present there is plenty of room in the Lodge over Labour Weekend (generally a great time for spring skiing) so make a booking and enjoy the last weekend. Club racing was particularly successful this season with 27 members giving it a go during the season (some for the first time) along with 52 members turning up to race in the club champs (late September, see the results below).

To round this edition out we would like remind all members of a quote made back in 1957 by the then club President, Gillies Smith, that is as relevant today as it was then:

“This Hut is being erected for your Pleasure. Work hard when you are asked. Play hard when you are free”

CLUB CHAMPS
The 2017 Club Champs went ahead on Saturday 23rd September with absolutely brilliant weather (less excuses for several racers). Considering our history over the last couple of years the weather was a pleasant surprise. The race course was set by one of the race coaches down the bottom part of Gollums (to the left, looking up, of the Valley T-Bar) and was probably the best one we have had this century. It was electronically timed and was a fast, flowing (and flying for some) course. We had 52 competitors and there was only one class (Grommet Boys) that didn’t have competitors. To the other 250 or so club members who couldn’t make it, put it in your calendar for next year. Racing started at 10am and everyone had 2 runs with the fastest time counting and was all over by 11:30 or so when everyone adjourned to seating outside Pakuranga shelter for lunch, some refreshments and quite an exciting snowball fight. The racing was very competitive in several classes with most members completing both runs. The seniors are now being chased by some very fast juniors so next year will be very interesting. With the weather so good everyone carried on skiing for the afternoon. The social/prizegiving was held back in the Lodge starting at 4pm with the normal tall stories, prizegiving at 5:30 and dinner at approx. 7pm. Special thanks (and club members support) need to be given to the clubs biggest sponsor being Gordons Ski Shop in Taupo. Hendon and Kim arrived laden with over $500 worth of spot prizes which were distributed amongst a large number of members. This year’s results are below:
Club Champs Results 2017
Grommet Girls            Kendra Gray
Junior Girls           Seana Gray
Intermediate Girls        Kitty Scott
Senior Women            Sarah Van Munster
Master Womens        Erin Gray
Veteran Womens        Trish Mau
Golden Oldie Women        Maggie McCaughan
Open Women            Seana Gray
Handicap Womens       Trish Mau

Junior Boys            Laurie Nichols
Intermediate Boys        James Bennett
Senior Men            Nick Moss
Masters Men            Nick Staines
Veteran Men            Greg Bennett
Golden Oldie Men        Greg Fournier
One Foot in the Grave        David Rankilor
Open Mens           Nick Moss
Handicap Mens           Greg Bennett
Snowboard Junior Boy        Ivan Veitch
Snowboard Open Men        Marty Stock
Captains Choice        Trish Mau
Sue Strawbridge Award    Veronica Bennett

2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting is planned for early next year (Feb/March 2018) in Taupo. Further details will be published in the next newsletter. This is different to previous years as we are looking at easing clashes leading up to Christmas along with allowing more time for the accounts to be audited.

WORK PARTY – 11/12 NOVEMBER
The end of year work party is planned for the weekend of 11/12th November. Work parties are a requirement for membership so if you still need to complete one or are an intermediate moving up to a senior then this is for you. Most of the work is based around an end of season clean up, repairing any minor damage, stacking firewood, cleaning walls, windows and so on. Meals and accommodation are provided along with a good time.

JUNIOR SAFETY AWARDS
A team of club members did the youth safety quiz during the first week of the school holidays supervised by Jeremy Webber and James Bennett and achieved the following results:
Dominic Barker - silver
Sophie Webber - silver
Caoilinn Gray - silver
Seanna Gray - silver
Jenna Cook - bronze
Eliot Webber - bronze
Congratulations to all and thanks to Jeremy for organising it.

RAL NEWS
The bib news this month is that season passes are available and cheaper than last year.
Rather than try to precis here what RAL are up to check out their website and facebook pages. I recommend watching their short videos where RAL staff give updates on activities.

BUY / SELL / EXCHANGE
We are running this facility in the newsletters so if you want to be included just email the details to the newsletter editor. Check out this months offering in the column on the right.