SkiMoNZ

New Web Site

2010-04-19T19:01:00.002+12:00

Please visit our new blog/web site-

www.skimonz.wordpress.com

Thanks

CraigieBurner This Weekend!

2009-09-03T09:36:00.003+12:00

The CraigieBurner will take place this weekend in what will be near perfect conditions. The Craigieburn Range has been hammered with weather over the last 2 weeks now and things are looking great, with over 50cm of new snow!

I won't go into a heap of detail as there is a load of info on www.craigieburner09.blogspot.com

There are 2 course's, "Lifts" and "Lunges".

The CraigieBurner will make for great preparation to The Tour in 2 weeks time.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the start line.

Gasherbrum II ski Winner!

2009-08-16T21:29:00.002+12:00

Congratulations to John Henson in winning the Gasherbrum II ski raffle. No doubt John will be running around at The Tour with the Gasherbrums on his feet.

A big thanks to everyone who supported SkiMoNZ and the 2010 NZ team that will race at the World Ski Mountaineering Champs in Andorra.

2009 'Burner

2009-08-02T21:47:00.000+12:00

The 2008 CraigieBurner winner and organizer of the 2008 Ohau Backcountry Blast, DuncanSherratt, will be organizing the '09 Burner.

The word from Duncan-

"The Scarpa Craigieburner ski mountaineering race will be taking place this year on the 5^th of September at Craigieburn Valley Ski Area. As the oldest race of it’s kind in New Zealand it is certainly unique. Competitors will have the chance to use the lifts or their own steam to race around the mountain. It is

essentially a day’s ski touring or club field skiing condensed into

about 1-2 hours. The event has a really good vibe as only you could get at a club ski field in New Zealand.

Gary Mac getting his Burn on

We’re again lucky to have awesome support from Scarpa, Marmot and Craigieburn Valley. Scarpa have generously offered two pairs of Scarpa ski boots for prizes. As they say you have to be into win so we hope to see you all there on the 5th of September. The ski boots will be given away as spot prizes. So all the more reason to turn up and ski quite quickly (up and down).

The scene at the finish line of the '08 Burner

The race will be kicking off at 10am. We’ll be up there from 8.30am taking registrations. We’ll have a few beers and laugh about the day later on in Koroheke Lodge.If you have any questions about the event check the blog, www.craigieburner09.blogspot.com. The blog will be updated with information, course details and entry information closer to the event."

Cheers Duncan

THE TOUR- entry open!

2009-08-01T21:41:00.001+12:00

Entry for The Tour Backcountry Ski Race is now open!

Click HERE for the entry form.

Expect the young fellow in the white & red suit in the photo above to be near the front of the pack at The Tour

Scarpa CraigieBurner

2009-07-19T21:20:00.002+12:00

Scrapa has again come on board as a sponsor of the CraigieBurner and this years organiser Duncan has set up the following blog for the '09 version- www.craigieburner09.blogspot.com

SkiMoNZ/Dynafit Raffle

2009-06-07T20:03:00.006+12:00

SkiMoNZ/Dynafit Raffle-

Ski Mountaineering New Zealand, in association with Dynafit, are raffling off a pair of Dynafit Gasherbrum II skis, as a fund raiser for the SkiMoNZ race team that will compete at the 2010 ski mountaineering world champs in Andorra.

Raffle tickets are only $15 each; with all proceeds going to the 2010 SkiMoNZ race team. The lucky winner will get a pair of 172cm Gasherbrum II ski's (dimensions 102-73-89).

To get your ticket go to deposit $15 in to the SkiMoNZ bank account, using your name as the reference/code.

SkiMoNZ bank account details- 06-0954-0050957-00

Please also e-mail us at nzinfo@skimo.org and let us know that you got a ticket (or 2!), so we know who's got what and how to get intouch with you when you win!

The draw will be made mid August.

Dynafit Gasherbrum II Ski

The Gasherbrum II 172cm ski, dimensions 102-73-89 and 1190gr are the perfect blend between weight and turnablity. Certainly on the skinny side in this day and age, the Gasherbrum excels on light and fast missions. Whether its speed climbing an 8000m peak and skiing its 50 degree slopes, competing in The Tour Backcountry Ski Touring Race, or anything in between, the Gasherbrum is your ski. More details at www.dynafit.co.nz

2009 SkiMoNZ Race Series

2009-05-13T20:20:00.000+12:00

The 2009 Ski Mountaineering New Zealand (SkiMoNZ) race series is shaping up to be a cracker, with new race formats and world class racers set to lift the leave of ski mountaineering races in New Zealand.

Both the CraigieBurner and Ruapehu Ripper, now well established races, will return, with The Tour, a multi day, team’s race rounding out the calendar.

A date is still to be confirmed for the Ruapehu Ripper, with the CraigieBurner taking place on the 5^th September and The Tour, based out of Cheeseman, over the 19^th and 20^th September. Interest in the ’09 series has already been high, especially for The Tour, which has limited spots when entry opens in late June.

The SkiMoNZ race series will act as a trail for those who are looking at making the 2010 SkiMoNZ Race Team for the Ski Mountaineering World Champs, to be held in Andorra in March next year.

New Zealand racers will be fortunate to pit there skills against some of the top racers from around the world. Current World Cup winner and top female French racer Laetita Roux will spend the winter in NZ, racing and training. While Spaniard, Javier Martian, who recently ranked 5^th in the Europe Champs will be in NZ for all of September. Other international racers, top Britain Carron Scrimgeour and recent Canadian Cup winner Reiner Thoni will also be racing in NZ.

This top level of international competition will no doubt give 2007 and ’08 series winners Gena Sbiva and Jane Harper, as well as some strong up and comers, great race experience, as well as making for a great spectacle.

Support for the 2009 race series has been strong, with sponsors quick to jump on board. The big news on this front is Singapore Airlines confirming their support via assistance with travel to Andorra for those who get selected for the World Champs.

Other sponsors are the New Zealand Alpine Club, The Climber Magazine, MountainZ.co.nz, iclimb.co.nz, Dynafit and Buff.

For more info please visit www.skimonz.blogspot.com

2008 SkiMoNZ Series Results

2009-04-15T20:33:00.002+12:00

These have been a very long time coming, so apologies for the delay!

Gena and Jane both defended their series titles. Of interest was the tight race for 2nd and 3rd in both the male and females categories. Also of note is that both Duncan and Jane only raced in 3 races, out of a possible 5. Only the top 4 results counted.

2008 SkiMoNZ race series results
-Male
1st- Gena Sibaev- 130 pts
2nd- Duncan Sherratt- 104 pts
3rd- Tim Ensor- 100 pts
-Female
1st-Jane Harper-120 pts
2nd- Kath Conlan- 97 pts
3rd- Gillian Ensor- 92 pts

Ski Mo Races- Euro 2009

2009-01-22T16:11:00.003+13:00

Unfortunately there are no Kiwis (no we know about, are you there??) racing in Europe this winter, but there are plenty of races taking place and you can keep up with all the action at www.skimo.org
One video worth checking out is

Coupe du monde de ski alpinisme 2009 (Civetta)
Uploaded by FFME

For summer updates I am up dating my personl blog- www.skirunnernz.blogspot.com

Cheers
Grant

Noel Oien

2008-10-28T12:26:00.003+13:00

Most have already heard now, but a good friend Noel Oien was found dead after a climbing accident on Thursday in APNP. Here's a story that was in The Press for those who haven't read it.

Noel was really active with in the ski mountaineering race scene here in NZ and will be greatly missed!

Below are a few photos that I found of Noel last night. These are all of skiing. I know that skiing was just a small part of Noel's life, but it was the part that I was most involved in and one of the ways I will remember him the most.

Pre race, Temple 2007

Booting up Upper Leap In, Temple race 07

Noel on Lyell Peak with Avalanche Peak (right) and Rolleston (left), spring '07

Noel testing out a new "Speed Stance", Temple '08

Turoa race, '07. Despite the white out, Noel finished 3rd at this race!!

SCARPA CraigieBURNER

2008-09-09T14:43:00.002+12:00

SCARPA CraigieBurner was held in great snow condtions this past Saturday. Its was the most competive race so far this winter. Full report and result scan be seen at http://www.craigieburner.blogspot.com/

Black Diamond Ohau Back Country Blast

2008-09-02T06:51:00.004+12:00

The Back Country Blast took place this past weekend at Ohau Snow Fieild. Sunny skies and a good cover of snow made a nice change from last years white out and thin snow cover that was encountered.

It was great to see some new face's and thanks to Duncan for organising, the Southern Approach crew and Mike's team at Ohau for a great weekend.

The Start

A full race report and results can been seen at http://www.bdblast.blogspot.com/

Ohau This Weekend!!

2008-08-25T07:06:00.002+12:00

The Oahu BD Blast ski mountaineering race is on this weekend and is shaping up to b ea good one!
Last year this race was the biggest competitors wise and is looking to be the same this year. Word on the street is there is quite the crew from the southern lakes heading up, the usual crew from the Canterbury area will no doubt be there and a team of young French ski mountaineer's just arrived in the country this past weekend!
Details at www.bdblast.blogspot.com
Look forward to seeing you there!

Rainbow this Weekend!

2008-08-05T19:54:00.003+12:00

The Rainbow Randonnee Race is this weekend!

It should be a great event, Rainbow Ski Aera, in the Nelson Lakes, is a magic little spot. There is amazing ski touring from the ski area, so after the race prize giving at 1330 I am sure there will be a crew out touring.
The race is the 2nd race of the 2008 SkiMoNZ series and will be about 700-800m of vertical. Maybe more is we have good weather and lots of helpers to be on the course.

Hopefully we will see you this weekend, if not for the race, for the ski touring afterward!

Cheeseman Race Training Clinic 2nd August

2008-07-30T06:48:00.002+12:00

Race training clinic taking place this weekend at Cheeseman. It will be a pretty casual affair, here's a rough time table-
0900-0930 meet up at the Cheeseman day lodge
0930-1000 Talk about the days plan and have a look at gear.
1030-1230 Work on transitions and techniques.
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1530 Small tour, practicing what was learnt in am.
1630 Very short relay race. Teams of 2 or 3.

Bring all the stuff you normally would when ski touring. The relay race maybe in the dark, so make sure you remember a head touch!

If you want to stay at Snow Line Lodge DBB call to book- 03 318 8794 ex720

Hopefully we will get out for a ski tour on the Sunday also, but the whole weekend is weather dependent.

Looking forward to seeing here on Saturday.

Transtions

2008-07-28T12:43:00.006+12:00

Noel and I went up to Temple Basin on Sunday and made these small transition videos.
Skins Off
Skins On

This will be the kind of thing we will cover at the Cheeseman race clinic this weekend. I hope we will see you there as every one (esp me!) can learn something new or how to improve on exciting skills.

Here's Noel working on a new, faster stride............

Speed Up-Post Race

2008-07-27T11:45:00.006+12:00

After the Porters/Dynafit Speed Up Race yesterday Jane, Noel and I went for a ski out back of Porters, making the most of the great conditions currently in the Craigieburns.

Jane and I skinning above "Uli's Role"

Jane skiing the top of "Crystal Valley"

Noel and Jane skinning out of Crystal

Jane making turns on the western side of the Craigieburn Range.

All up we did about 1000m of vert.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Cheeseman this weekend for the Ski Mountaineering Race training clinic!

Men In Tights.......

2008-07-09T21:35:00.004+12:00

I just came across this story on PisteHors.com and wanted to share it with the first race of the 2008 season only weeks away. Enjoy!

"It is a big thing in Europe. Rubbing embrocation on your legs, wearing a skimpy lycra suit and climbing up your local mountain to ski back down on gear so flimsy that you wouldn’t let your kids learn on it. It is the antithesis of freeride and now even snowboarders are getting in on the scene.
The concept. You race over mountain terrain using ski touring gear – either lightweight skis or snowboards and snowshoes. Checkpoints are established at key locations and you might even get a mug of tea and a piece of cake. It is not just brute uphill speed that separates the winners from also rans. In general the uphill is not that technical but you will need to make conversion turns on the fly. Efficiency is the key, competitors can fix and remove climbing skins and ski crampons without removing their skis.
Equipment is super lightweight. Trick Dynafit bindings (weighing just 700 grammes) are heavily modified to save a few more grammes. Dynafit has launched a featherweight Titanium version of their binding this year to respond to this specialized market. Boots and skis weigh in at the 2kg mark whereas a typical touring ski is more like 2.8kg (pair) and boots 3.5kg. Over 1500 meters of climbing you might make 9000 steps, saving the equivalent of lifting 25 tonnes! The flipside is limited downhill performance. Although events are usually staged close to ski resorts for logistical reasons most of the course will be off piste and the flimsy equipment might have to cope with windpack, crust, crud and powder. A 1500 meter course will be covered in less than two hours with climbing speeds in excess of 1000 meters per hour. Something to aspire to on your next tour.
Apart from the obvious competitors will carry the usual avalanche safety gear of beacon, shovel and probe although organizers will do their utmost to ensure the course is safe. Helmets and sometimes crampons are required."

Early Morning Training

2008-07-08T15:52:00.002+12:00

Been getting out skinning the last few mornings and evenings at Cheeseman, making the most of the great snow cover and conditions!
Check out the valley floor, that's Flock Hill covered in snow.

2008-07-03T17:52:00.005+12:00

Been a while since we've updated the SkiMoNZ blog, so here's the latest-

-SkiMoNZ.com- Our flash new web site is now up and running, check it out- http://www.skimonz.com/
-Ski Mountaineering New Zealand Inc! Yeah, we're just like a real club now and your invited to join. To be honest, we're still working out the details, but if you are keen to join or want to help out fire us a e-mail at nzinfo@skimo.org
-Rainbow Rando Race 9th August. Open male and female divisions, around 700m vertical climbing and series points are up for grabs- rainbowrando.blogspot.com
- Taranaki Rando Race 16th August. Open male and female divisions, around 700m vertical climbing and series points are up for grabs- nakirando.blogspot.com
-Porters/Dynafit Speed Up. Details are online for the first race of the 2008 SkiMoNZ race series. portersspeedup.blogspot.com
-Amazing early season conditions!

Cheeseman 3rd July, fresh tracks all day!

First tracks for 2008 experience on coronet peak

2008-05-06T16:36:00.003+12:00

Just got the following from Gary who manged to get some turns in this past weekend. Good to hear Gary wasn't the only one out. Sounds like at least one other person in the Southern lakes is training for the SkiMoNZ series.

"Following the recent dump from the southerly blast that hit the whole of NZ, looking up towards Coronet Peak from Queenstown on Friday afternoon, you could see there was a good covering of snow on the trails. Fortunately for us the field had tested the snow canons on the days leading up to the snow fall and a good base had formed in a matter of days.
Dragging all me gear out of the various hiding spots in my house, I finally got myself in shape for heading up the hill. It was a beautiful blue bird day and on arriving at the field carpark I was welcomed with views of kids and adults alike having a good time on the new snow. I quickly donned my F1's, clicked into my Dynafit bindings and started skinning up a 4 wheel drive track to access one of the main runs. This was easier said than done as there was a little negotiation required to get around the building site, which is to be the Main Station of Coronet Peak. You'll be pleased to hear it has a roof.
The snow was light and travel easy, as it turned out I wasn't the first to skin up and I followed freshly made tracks, noting areas of poor cover on the way up. The snow depth ranged from 25cm to 10cm in places, but looked skiable. At the top, the skins were ripped off, jacket put on, I savoured the view for a few minutes, but I was keen to get sliding, so quickly got going. The skiing where there was enough snow was good...., I would love to say "pow pow", but don't want to exaggerate the first sliding experience of the year. The snow conditions improved as I made my way down the hill and some good turns were had in 25 cm of new snow. I quick traverse above the 'building site' took me to the 4 wheel drive access track and I was able to ski to within 30 metres of my car. A good result.
It was great to get back on my ski's and I am looking forward to the season starting for real. Just got the Routeburn Challenge to get through this weekend.
Sorry I have no pictures of the adventure, but will make sure I bring the camera next time."

Got a early season story to tell? Send it in-nzinfo@skimo.org

More Spring Skiing

2008-04-16T19:47:00.008+12:00

Back in NZ now and along with a few other super motivated folks, we're starting to put together this coming winters SkiMoNZ race series. I wanted to do a small post on my last ski before returning from France.
I meet up with Pierre, Eric and Manu around 0730, hoping to beat the heat. We started on the southern end of the Belledonnee and climber to the col du loup and then went up to the summit "l'antecime de la Grande Lance de domene". Eric near the top of l'antecime de la Grande Lance de domene

Then we climbed to la grande Lauziere

Manu harvesting some very nice Belledonne corn

l'antecime de la Grande Lance de domene and la grande Lauziere. Photo taken from summit Le Grand Colon.

Manu skis some steeps off the SE side of Le Grand Colon

All up about a 2300m vert day. Big thanks to Eric, Pierre and Manu for a great day skiing and to all those in France that made for a very memorable winter.

Spring Skiing

2008-04-07T22:55:00.008+12:00

In my earlier post post I asked for people to write in with their favorite thing about ski mountaineering races. I got the ball rolling with the cow bells and how much I enjoy them during a race.

The other thing that I really enjoy about racing is how fit you are come spring time, which is perfect for cranking out big days of corn skiing in the sun! Before leaving for NZ tomorrow morning I managed 2 such trips.
On Friday I meet up with my racing partner Thomas and his mate, also Thomas. I couldn't remember all the name's of were we went or what we skied so Thomas sent me this

"We started at Prabert (1250M), climbed "couloir W du Pas du Pin" (2203m), skied "couloir E du Pas du Pin" (Start 45°, then 40° on 200m), crossed south-north the "Pic de la Belle Etoile" (2718m), climb pass of the "Vouterey" (2529m) and "Dent du Pra" (2623m) and come back by the "Combe du Venetier". "

All up about a 1900m morning. We were back for lunch and Thomas worked in the afternoon.

I remember my camera for once, but forgot to charge the batteries. Luckily a another group was behind us and snapped some shotsCouloir W du Pas du Pin

Couloir E du Pas du Pin with Thomas and my tracks
2718m peak Pic de la Belle Etoile and pass of the Vouterey (2529m) to the left.

Hopefully in the next day or so I will get a chance to post the 2300m trip I did the next day with some other French friends.

Times are a changing...........

2008-03-31T07:20:00.004+13:00

So things are coming to an end here in France for the small kiwi ski mountaineering race team, as we will be heading home in the next week or so. The end of winter here means the New Zealand winter is near and before long the first race of the 2008 SkiMoNZ race series will be underway.
Things here on the SkiMoNZ blog will be changing up a little, with the blog going from "NZ ski mo team's updates" to "SkiMoNZ race series updates".
I'll try doing a few posts and updates on the per season events like when we confirm race dates and venues and maybe even some pre season training.
If you want to share your favorite thing about ski mountaineering racing please contact me and I can publish it here. Maybe you want to tell all the nice people why you are so excited to race this winter in NZ, maybe its some pre season training to help us all get motivated, or even just a ski touring/ski mountaineering trip you did (lots of photos please!).
E-mail your story/ideas to: nzinfo at skimo.org

I'll get things started with one of my favorite things about a ski mountaineering race, in Europe anyway. No, not the skin tight suits that every wears-Cow Bells! These things are great! Nothing lifts you like the sound of cow bells banging away as you are tired and are in need of a boost. What really impresses me is the size of the cow bells and the fact that people actually skin/ski around with them! Check out the photo below of Thomas and I at the Pierra Menta. Those bells are bigger than the guys head!

Thanks to Eric for the photos.

Fresh Tracks.......

2008-03-23T00:38:00.007+13:00

I went up to Chamrousse yesterday and skied during the storm. It was pretty fun, its been ages since I have been out skiing when its dumping snow and after racing around last weekend with 300 other people it was nice to ski by myself. I stayed close to the ski area and skied lower angled slopes since I was by myself. I could still see tracks from the day before as it had only snow about 10-15cm.

Today we woke to blue skies so were out the door early for some more freshies. It snow all yesterday afternoon and those same slopes I skied yesterday were completely fulled in. We climber fast knowing that once the lifts of Chamrousse open skiers would be going out of bounds almost immediately to ski these lines.
Below is the proof we managed to beat the life lines.....

Pretty funny skiing shin deep powder on full race gear, Jane's skis are only 150cm long and 60mm under foot! The snow was super light and fluffy, so not difficult skiing.
After 2 laps on the easy to get to terrain we followed the "high way" out to one of the smaller peaks (over 2000m and I should know the name of it by now!) and managed to find some more great skiing on the way back to the car. We climbed about 1200m, which after last Saturday were the first climb of the Pierra Menta was 1200m, felt surprisingly easy.

Pierra Menta Photos

2008-03-22T02:05:00.008+13:00

I told you the course was impressive! The above and below photos are from the 3rd day on the final climb, before the summit of the Grand Mount.

Not sure what day the above photo is from, but I am pretty sure is during the 3rd climb on the 2nd day. I believe that's Mt Blanc in the back ground with the cloud over the summit.

Like I said, 100's of (maybe over 1000!)spectators wait at the top of the Grand Mount, all going crazy!

The above 4 photos are from Jocelyn Chavy. There are more excellent photos by Jocelyn at alternativemedia.fr check them out if you have a chance!

Jane took this shot of me (and about 300 other racers!)not long after the start of the 3rd day, just after I was knocked down from a fellow racers pole catching the tip of my ski. Pretty common to see people taking a fall, breaking a pole or losing a skin with in the first 200m or so of the bigger races.

American racer Lyndsay Meyer wrote a good race report that's on Steve Romes blog TeteonAT, its worth a read to get a different take on things.

Pierra Menta 2008

2008-03-18T03:23:00.006+13:00

The first thing I have to say about the Pierra Menta is thank god its over!

The second is I can't wait to do it again!
It was gruelling, a lot harder than both Jane and I expected, not that we ever thought it was going to be easy. I will try to recap each day as best I can, but there were times I was hurting so much, I think they have been erased from my memory.......

We arrived in Areches-Beaufort on Wednesday and were greeted with heavy rain! We checked our gear, attended the pre race meeting and moved into the house that was to be home for the next 4 days. It was pretty nice, with plenty of room for Thomas, Fabian, Jane and I. It over looked the start/finish area and was a stones throw away from Florent Pierra's home.

The view from our place, with the start and finish area in the valley floor

On the 1st day Thomas and I finished in 40th place, which wasn't bad out of the 164 teams. It was about a 2500m day. The 2nd ski was on rock hard, rain runnels, corrugated iron, which zapped all the strength out of my legs, but it wasn't until the 3rd ski were I really felt it. On the final climb the sun was out and it was really heating up, which just crushed me.

Jane and Fabian were happy with there race and finished 13th out of 21 women's teams.

The 2nd day was the biggest, about 2900meters of vertical! It was also really long, with a lot of flat ridge travel and long flat skinning sections. It also included a crazy down climb in the forest were there wasn't enough snow and a long skating section. It was really hot this day and a lot of teams had a tough day, like the Austrian/Swiss team that was 7th on the 1st day and blew up and finished 37th on the 2nd day! I was having a hard time as well, but Thomas was going strong. Surprisingly we passed a few teams on the skate and Thomas when out hard on the final climb, which was up a steep slope that had something like 80 kick turns on it! There was only 1 track broken so we were luck to have had a good position on this climb. The end was really flat and just went on and on, and the sun was at full blast. I was putting snow down my chest, back and under my helmet trying to cool off. I had also run out of water, so didn't think twice when I seen a friend with a big bottle of water. It was a hard day, but we were really happy when we found out we finished in 30th! This put us 37th over all.

Jane and Fabian were having a pretty rough day. At the top of one of the many boot pack sections on the long ridge Fabian lost her ski! It went flying off the ridge, but they were luck that a spectator when looking for it. It did take a good 30mins for the nice fellow to retrieve the ski, by which time Jane had gotten cold and found it hard to get going again. In the end they missed the cut off by about 5mins, which sadly meant there Pierra Menta was over.

The 3rd day was the famous Grand Mount day. Its amazing! the course is very impressive, with a huge climb up a arete that tops out on the Grand Mount, were a 100's of spectators are waiting for you, all going crazy! The noise on the Grand Mount is like nothing I have heard before, so many people, cow bells and horns in such a small place. The really impressive thing is that these people have all hike well over an hour to get to the top of the Grand Mount, some with BBQs! Most of the course this day is lined with people, but they were enough to pull me out of my slump, especially after I took a fall about 200m in to the race and landed really hard on the side of my butt. I was having cramping issues with my legs as it was, so this added to it. The 1st climb was 1200m. I don't think we have had a race in NZ that totals 1200m! On the final skin before the arete Thomas towed me which helped a great deal. In the end we finished 45th for the day and we in 40th over all.

Me on the 3rd day, thanks to Samuel for the photo!!

Getting out of bed for the final day was a struggle, but a later start, new snow and a shorted day all helped. Standing on the start line I wasn't really sure how long the race was as they had changed the course because of new snow, so I was pretty happy to find out at the bottom of the 2nd climb that it would be the last. I actually felt half good and when out hard on this climb, but it end the same as the rest and by the end I was cramping and moving slow. We finished the day in about 36th and that gave us a 39th position over all, not bad for our first Pierra Menta.

I hope to get some more photos up in the next few days. There are reports on skimo.org and results can be veiwed here.

La Croix de Chamrousse

2008-03-10T08:01:00.008+13:00

I did the La Croix de Chamrousse today (Jane sat this one out). This was the 3rd and final race in the G3M series. Going into the race I was 3rd in the series and Jane 2nd. With the Pierra Menta starting on Thursday a lot of people gave this race a miss, but not the guy that was in 2nd place nor former Pierra Menta winner Pierre Gignoux.
The race started out with a short climb (not short by NZ standards....) before a short ski and then a long rolling skin in the trees. By the top of this 2nd climb Pierre was way out in front, leaving the rest of us to fight for the scraps. I was in 4 at this stage and feeling OK. The last part of the 3rd climb was booting along a ridge that was really fun. A flat ski to a col (were Jane cheered me on) and a short ski where I arrived before the 3rd place guy had left - still in the hunt! The next climb was up a steep slope with lots of kick turns and then we put on crampons at the summit to downclimb! Was kind of strange to downclimb, but snow was thin and it was pretty icy. I actually enjoyed this part and move into 3rd as another racer struggled with his skis and back pack. We arrived at the col where Jane was and then skied again. I then left this transition at the same time as the guy in 2nd! There was 3 of us now in a group fighting for 2nd and 3rd. We skinned in a group for a while (me in 2nd for a bit) and then did another boot pack. This area (boot packing) has let me down a lot this winter as I haven't done a lot of boot pack training, so it was no great surprise when the others pulled away from me. By the time I reached the summit my legs were hurting and they just hurt more on the ski with refrozen, breakable crust snow. The next skin started flat, then kick turns, then another boot pack. I was still fairly close to 3rd place, but the guy in 5th wasn't too far behind neither!
This boot pack was steep and up a nice chute. The ski was inbounds and on icy bumps, just not fun skiing. We had one more short climb before it was over, thankfully I had no one around and could relax a little. I finished 4th in the open category and 2nd in the senior men (Pierre and another guy are vets!). I also held on to my 3rd place in the G3M, which I didn't expect.Jane was totally stoked and really surprised when they called here name for 2nd in the G3M after not racing today. Over all a pretty good day for the NZ ski mo team! RESULTS
Thanks to Stephane for the video and photos!

Pierra Menta starts in 4 days!!

Probably the biggest race in France, if not any were, this 4 day, 10,000vertical meter (no, I did add a zero, its 10,000) race is the Tour de France of ski mountaineering racing. We are both really excited about this and also a little nervous.

I have put a link to the PM home page on the top of the side menu and skimo.org is hands down your best source for quick up dates, with results and photos added daily.

Nicolas' Take.......

2008-03-07T09:00:00.010+13:00

So I know what a few of you are thinking "who is Nicolas?" Unfortunately he is not the long lost member of the NZ ski mountaineering race team, but the coach of the junior Swiss national team.
Hands down the best thing about racing is the places you go and the great people you meet. Nicolas is a great example. He wrote to me late last year after hearing about last winters Scarpa race series and wanted to offer his congratulations on a successful series. Since then I have e-mailed him often asking for advice on different things (mainly training, not that you could tell). It was great to finaly meet Nicolas, and his wife Severine, last week and really enjoyed his e-mail that he sent yesterday and wanted to share it as it gives a different perspective to the SMWC than that of Jane's and mine (it also means I have another day or 2 before "Grant's Take"). I have also included some photos of his.
Thanks Nicolas!

Hi Grant and Jane,

Yes was great to meet you guys, very nice people ! We love kiwis. Sorry I would have like to spent more time with you, but was very very busy with my team !!!! Same with my parents and Severine's : they came to watch the relay, but had only a few minutes to spent with them ! Severine had an incredible week, and that was just crazy and big for us that the girls won the relay. The feelings were so deep, I was crying ! And now the girls cut all my hairs, because I bet they wouldn’t beat the Italians !

Left is Marie Troillet and right French racer Leatitia Roux

And then the next day the silver medal, at just 1’50’’ of the Italians girls, what a race ! Severine was a bit disappointed to have to stop the last race, because of muscle problems (contracture au mollet), but is looking forward for the rest of the season.
Congratulation for your races, was great to have kiwis on the course. And will be nice to see you on the Pierra, another big-big-big experience !!! Do you know where you’ll be staying ? Sev should be racing with Gab Magnenat and myself with my colleague Gerard Bagnoud. We’re hoping for a top 25 ranking.
After this crazy week, I went to the Maya, team of 3, 300 teams (900 persons), crazy ! We finished at a strong 3rd placing, which was incredible !
Don’t hesitate if you want to use some of my words for your blog (great blog, just love it !).
All the best to you and Jane, looking forward to see you in the Pierra.

Nicolas

Jane's Take...

2008-03-05T20:23:00.002+13:00

Jane wanted to do a small post to give some feed back from the SMWC. Probably nice for people to have another person's take on things...

First of all, a big thanks to everyone who wrote comments of support and encouragement. I have to admit even up to the last couple of weeks before the world champs, I wasn't entirely sure I would be attending, for a number of reasons. I am really glad, however, I decided to go. I was happy with all my results, but even happier with what I feel I have learnt from going to the world champs, competing and talking to fellow racers and coaches, for starters, doubling my training would help!
It would be really exciting to return in 2010 to the world champs in Andorra with a bigger, stronger NZ team. In the National Ranking NZ finished 21st out of 28, which is not a bad result for a two person team, however, there is no reason NZ could not do a lot better than this in the next world champs, it would be great for us to be able to enter the teams race and the relay next time. I think NZ has great potential in this sport being a little country with a lot of mountains and a lot of outdoors sporty types. I hope to see the sport grow in NZ this winter, hopefully with more races and more participation, so anyone who feels like organising some sort of race no matter how big or small (or competing in one, if you haven't already), go for it.
Jane

We might race in the La Croix de Chamrousse this Sunday, or we may just rest for the Pierra Menta which starts on the 13th! Will try and keep you updated

SMWC-Day 7

2008-03-04T09:18:00.006+13:00

Apologies for not getting this final day of racing report up earlier folks, been pretty busy and tired recovering from the week.

An early start and grey skies were the scene for the final day of racing at the 2008 SMWC. The long race had been modified a little due to the warm temps during the week and the course was to be 2700m for men and 2300m for the woman. There were 2 starts, 0715 for the woman and slower males and 0830 for the top 30 (ended up being about 45) males. I think I could have raced in the late start, but after a shocking result on Sunday I could really request to be in the early race.

It was pretty nice when the gun off not to have 30 or so guys in front of me going at an inhuman speed and I was in the lead group going at a comfortable pace. I made a bit if a move towards the top of the 1st of 7 climbs and arrived in 3rd place. Next was a flat skate on sticky snow. No wax meant I was past by multiple people, but a quick transition seen me leave in 3 I think. The next 3 climbs all had boot pack section sat the end and the skiing was OK apart from the bad visibility and flat sections that seen me lose more time and places. At the bottom of the 5th climb there was a drink station, thanks to Patrick for getting me water! The climb was very long and flat (kinda boring?) and my mind started to wander a little knowing that while I was top 6 in this race, there were 45 other guys racing. It was about here that I started to get really wet from the rain, not that cold, but wet. I was glad to be at the top of the final climb, hoping the that finish was near, but the last ski was miserable! Deep, wet sticky snow and then a flat, wet, stick ski run were I was past by 2 races that had taken their time to wax their skis that night before. After getting my gear checked I had some food, got changed, waited for Jane to arrive and settled in for the main event. They were announcing over the speaker the top males, Giacomelli, Perrier, Troillet and Jornet were going at it!

Jane arrived just before Giudo Giacomelli crossed the line for the win. Fellow Italian Francesca Martinelli won the woman's race.

A great day for racing!! Perrier, Giacomelli going at it.
Photo: Gerard Berthoud/skimo.org

Jane was happy with her race as it was here biggest day skiing this year. She finished 4hr8min and in 22nd place. I did the 2700m in 3hr42mins and was 37th.

SMWC-Day 6

2008-02-29T02:52:00.009+13:00

Start of the woman's Vert Race

Vertical race today, which equals to 950 vertical meters of suffering, for Jane at least. I gave this one a miss to rest a little more for the 3000m long race tomorrow.

The race was going to be held just out of Champery and be only 750m, but due to a lack of snow they moved it over the boarder into France, in the same location as the famous "Montée du Linga" or The Patrick Blanc Race. It was named after Patrick (one of the most outstanding racers ever) after he won the race multiple times and set the record of 36'10" in 2006. In last nights race briefing it was joked that if you break the record the race will bear your name, not every one in the room took this as a joke.........

The lady's started 40mins before the guys and I watch Jane make a good start to the race before cutting the huge life lines with Oriol from skimo.org and made my way to the finishing line.
The Italian ladies continued to dominated and easily took 1st and 2nd. Jane said the steep start hurt a good bit, but once on the flats she got a rhythm and managed to pass a few people. She finished 28th out of 45 and in 53'28". Not bad for 950m vert (Duncan, Gary hope your training). The winning time was about 43'30"!

Jane at the start of the Vert race

The men s race, like all the races was fierce, with 5 guys all in contention. In the end it was the unstoppable force that is Frenchmen Florent Perrie. Florent crushed the record, finishing in 35'04". It was very impressive to watch. The first 5 men all broke Patrick Blanc's record!

Florent "I just crusted Patrick Blanc's record" Perrier

Click HERE for results.

SMWC-Day 5

2008-02-29T02:32:00.003+13:00

Today was a rest day, so we had a catch up on a few things before I went along to the ISMC General Assembly.

The big thing on the agenda was to vote on axing the ISMC and replace it with the ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation). what does all this mean I hear you ask? Well I am not even gonna try and understand all the politics and what have you, but the basics are-"For the first time in his history, ski mountaineering has a real international federation with independent legal entity which will for sure help to develop the sport".

The really big news of the day (for me anyway) was immediately after the vote for the new ISMF, the New Zealand Alpine Club was admitted in to the ISMF!!! This is really nice, as before the NZAC was not part of the ISMC and I kind of felt like we were on the outside (officially anyway) of things.

This will really help to have the backing of the ISMF to help grow competitive ski mountaineering in NZ.

Click HERE for press release on skimo.org

SMWC-days 3 and 4

2008-02-27T23:41:00.006+13:00

Been a little busy the last few days, no racing for Jane or I, but still lots going on. I will try and recap a little of whats been happening.
Day 3- Very leisurely start on Monday morning, with the rely race scheduled for 6pm that night. Over breakfast we talked with the ISMC technical directer, who told Jane she looked very strong at the top of the first climb in the individual race, but that her transitions were very bad! It was like music to my ears as I have been telling Jane she needs to work on them a little more. So after breakfast were went up the tram from Champery and did a little transition training.

After lunch it was nice to relax in our hotel room, which for the record has a pretty nice view!
We then took the tram again and watched the relay races. We stayed at the top and watched the skins off transitions. It was amazing how fast the top racers (male and female) were going and how fast they could remove there skins. Definitely got a few ideas and how I could improve things....

Day 4- The much anticipated teams race was held on Tuesday. Like the relay race, we couldn't race as there are only 2 of us. I was following Pierre, who come up from SMU, around. He was pretty excited about the race (as was I) and we got to see a lot of the race. It was pretty exciting with the French and Italian slugging it out until the final climb, with the French team pulling away for the win. The Italian woman were unstoppable and won easily.

Were are currently ranked 20th out of 28th nations, which it not bad as there are only 2 of us and I had such a bad race on Sunday. Today is a day off, so we are catching up a little. I have been working on my boot liners, trying to address an issue I have with my little toe.......
Hopefully cutting away some of the liner and adding some trusty duct tape with do the trick, as my next race is the 3000m long race on Friday.
Jane is fronting up for the vertical race tomorrow and then again on Fridays long race!

Remember to keep checking skimo.org and the official SMWC2008 web site for updates, results, photos and some really cool videos.
Thanks to those who have left comments on the posts or wrote us e-mails, we really appreciated it!!

SMWC Day 2- Individual Race

2008-02-25T09:02:00.003+13:00

Was hard to believe that today was finally the day, the World Ski Mountaineering Individual Championships!

While Jane and I never for one moment expected to turn up and rock the boat here in Switzerland, we had set some goals for ourselves and hope that if we raced well we might be the first non-Europeans racers across the finish line. It sounds like a funny goal (and it is), but the sport is so well established here, there's no way a "outsider" can really expect to play with the big boys and girls, not yet any way.

The woman started 30mins before the guys, so it was nice to see the start of the race and cheer Jane on and she made a good start.

the course started on a steep ski run, that really hurt me at first, until it turned into a flatter treed area and then some kick turns, which I always enjoy. I was feeling good toward the top of the first climb, and felt great on the ski down. I actually passed some people! No really, I actually passed people on the ski, I was surprised too! My transition was good (no ski issues this week) and left before Cary and Brandon, 2 USA racers. Things we going well, but I did start to feel my self slow a bit, then came the boot pack and that's when I hit the wall in a big way. The rest of the race was a blur of pain. I have never felt so bad. In the final climb I came to a stand still around a dozen times! I'm not sure why, I ain't big on excuses, but maybe it was the late start, warm temps and not drinking enough? I finished a good 15mins slower than I think I should have been, just basing off what other guys I have raced against this winter. pretty disappointing, but there's always 2010......

Jane on the other hand had a good race, finishing in 25th place and just 3 mins behind Mona for the US. Nice job ladies!

The race was won by Frenchman Florent Perrier, while Italian Roberta Pedranzini achieved huge upset over Laetitia Roux from France in the womans race.

VIDEO and RESULTS You will have to scroll aways down to find me......

SMWC 2008-Day 1

2008-02-24T09:46:00.004+13:00

Got in to Champery today, had a quick look over the course for tomorrow before checking in to our hotel and getting registered. Jane near the top of the 1st climb

The we had a race briefing and the opening ceremony. We got a NZ flag and little guy carried a sign with Nouvelle Zelande on it! Was pretty cool experience.

Was a good day, got to meet heaps of new people as well as see some old friends from all over the world.

Check back for a race report tomorrow night (or morning).

4 days to the 2008 SMWC!!

2008-02-21T08:06:00.005+13:00

Only 4 days until the 2008 Ski Mountaineering World Champs!!

Pretty exciting here in the French HQ of the New Zealand ski mountaineering race team, with only days until we will be lining up against the best in the world. I think there will be 27 nations and over 300 racer's converging on Champery, Switzerland on the 23rd Feb for the opening ceremony and the short (1650m) individual race will be on the 24th.

To be honest we have hardly even had time to think about, with Jane starting a new job and me dealing with a nasty infection in my toe. If that wasn't enough I feel off my bike today just to keep things interesting......

After racing in the French vertical and individual champs I'm not stressing to much and have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

We did manage to get out for small work out this morning. It was cloudy for the first time it what seems like weeks, which made for some cool cloud formations....

Chamechaude

Vercors

I just got the new Dynafit race ski, the SR World Cup Limited Edition the Friday before the Croix de Chamechaude , so it was nice to get out on them again and to "break in" my skins some more.

I mounted them with Dynafit Ti toe pieces and XP50 heel bindings. I am using XP500 carbon fiber boots, which are pretty darn good. The New SR World Cup skis are really nice too. I was impressed when mounting them as I had to drill through a steal top sheet and then wood, no foam!

Croix de Chamechaude results and videos

2008-02-21T07:52:00.004+13:00

Update 22nd Feb-another video

Here are the RESULTS from last Sundays Croix de Chamechaude. Click HERE for a video and story on the official G3M/Croix de Chamechaude web site.

Below is a video that Seb made for SkiMo.tv (skimo.org movies on YouTube).

No kiwis in this video, just the top Frenchmen! Pretty cool to watch these guys, enjoy.

Croix de Chamechaude AKA 2008 French championships

2008-02-18T06:43:00.002+13:00

We raced in the Croix de Chamechaude today. The Croix de Chamechaude is the 2nd race in the G3M series and this year was also the Fench individual champs.
A week out from the World Ski Mountaineering Champs, spots on the the French national team still had to be decided (a bit like the NZ team.....), so there was no rest for the top racers from France. It was great, all the big names were there, Blanc, Perrier, Gachet, Roux, not to mention a string of other amazingly strong athletes.
I had a pretty decent race, apart from some skin issues on the bottom of the 2nd climb. My skins weren't sticking, so I had to swap to another pair costing me time and placings. Still I was happy how I recovered and finished in 21st, about 20mins behind the winner Florent Perrier.
The finish was a brutal up hill sprint and I was pipped by Brit racer Jon by 1sec! We were thinking we might be in the 30's, so 20th and 21st is pretty good for a couple of non Frenchmen.
Jane was really excited about this race. She had a good race, finishing in 8th place.
Not sure how things will look after this race, but going into it Jane was ranked 2nd overall in the CAF rankings (there are 2 alpine clubs systems here CAF and FFME).

Hopefully I will have some photos and full results soon.

1 week to the world champs!!

TSF-Millet

2008-02-12T18:50:00.000+13:00

Had a great time this weekend at the TSF-Millet!

I have written a story for skimo.org so am a little burned out on the whole writing thing just now!

A quick over view.......
Thomas and I had a pretty average race Saturday. I didn't fell bad, but just never feel that good? We finished in about 36th place, well behind were I think we should have been. I explained to Thomas were I think we should be and he strongly disagreed, thinking that we were not that fast! I let it go, but I don't think Thomas did...
Jane and Fabien had a pretty good race and were actually leading until the last ski on Saturday! They finish 4mins behind an all American girls team.
We stated out on Sunday morning and Thomas sure hadn't let our little talk go the night before, but in a very positive way!! He stepped up huge from the day before and we finish about 14th for the 2nd day and 25th over all!
Jane and Fabien had a great day too, winning the day easily and the over all race by 2mins!! WOW, a kiwi Win's the TSF-Millet! That's pretty huge. OK, so a lot of the top racers were in Andorra at the 1st teams world cup race of the season, but a win is a win!
2008 TSF-Millet women's overall winners-Jane and Fabian!

La Nocturne de l'Aigle/TSF-Millet/NZ Race?

2008-02-08T10:35:00.000+13:00

La Nocturne de l'Aigle-I raced in another small 1hr relay race, La Nocturne de l'Aigle, last night. It was pretty comical really. No poles, running late and a really up set stomach from something I ate/the drive up all made for an interesting little suffer fest.
Luckily my team mate for the night Cyril is really strong, so despite me puking between laps we still got 2nd!
TSF-Millet-We are racing in the TSF-Millet, a 2 day, team of 2 race this weekend. I am gonna race with my usual team's race partner Thomas and Jane will race with Fabian for the first time. Like Thomas and I, Jane and Fabian will race in the Peirra Menta together and the TSF is great preparation for PM.
Should be really fun, check out the course below.
First day is 2080m vertical
Second day is a little shorter, only 2030m of climbing! NZ Race?-I am pretty excited about this race as I want to see how it all works and maybe one day in the near future get a race like this(2 day,2 person team)in New Zealand. Craigieburn to Mt Cheesman/Mt Olympus one day, then finish at Porters the next day! What do you reckon? No really, what do you think? Leave a commit, I would love to hear what people in NZ (or any were)think of a race like this. I am think for 2009 NZ winter it could happen.......

2007 Deuter Temple Rando Rally

2008-02-08T07:45:00.000+13:00

Better Late Than Never......
Check out these little videos from the 2007 Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally.
Rather than these being a late post from the 2007 NZ race series, I really like to think of these as primer to the 2008 New Zealand race series, that will include the CraigieBurner International Ski Mountaineering Open, the return of the Ohau race, possibly a vertical race, hopefully the inclusion of a Southern Lake race and maybe even a night race or 2. Watch this space!

>
Ah, gotta love NZ weather.......

But wait there is more.......

2008-02-05T08:01:00.000+13:00

Tour du Grand Veymont Video
So this race was over a week ago now, but I still am getting sent some cool photos and even this sweet little video. This is me at the transition on top of the Grand Veymont.
A big thanks to Bonoit and Thomas for this!

More images from the Tour du Grand Veymont

2008-02-03T08:19:00.000+13:00

Having some needed time off from racing this weekend after doing 7 race's in January! Febuary is looking the same, with up to 7 days of race's!

Its snowed here last night, so I managed to get a few things in order this am and skied some "Peuf" (french for powder snow) this afternoon. I was on my full race set up, so I got to make the most of it, with my skinny ski's sinking deep in to the wind blown snow. We did about 1500vert at a mellow pace.
I have been bombarded with photos from last weekends Tour du Grand Veymont. Thanks to Philippe, Boris, for these.

2008 New Zealand Ski Mountaineering Race Team Sponsors

2008-02-03T07:56:00.000+13:00

The New Zealand ski Mountaineering team has been really fortunate to receive some great sponsorship for the upcoming 2008 ski mountaineering world championships.

Here's a bit of a look at our sponsors....

Texner- All the great teams of ski mountaineering, France, Switzerland and now New Zealand wear race suits made by this small Swiss company that was started about 5yrs ago by Stany Fardel. Stany, a ski mountaineering racer himself (he's raced multiple times in the Patrouille des Glaciers!) knows the requirements that racers have and the Texner suits are very well made and thought out, with a mesh back, zip away hood, kangaroo pouch for skins and multiple pockets for transceiver, skins and energy foods.
And Stany didn't just hand us any old suit off the rack, no, we got custom made suits that are a nice black, grey and white combo, with the Southern Cross! We also recived the Hyper Light jacket and pants that weight only 100grs each!

Icebreaker- You all must know the Icebreaker story by now! Jeremy Moon, with the help of a few thousand merino sheep, has totally changed the way we layer for the outdoors. Thankfully, gone are the days of Stinky, itchy rainbow coloured thermals!
I thought it would be nice if we looked like a team post race, something styly, yet functional.....I went knocking on the door of Alice at Icebreaker and was delighted when she said they would be sending out some EXP Conquest Hood jackets. At first I thought I would only wear mine for going out and after races, that was until I had a few early morning training seasons in sub zero temps! Warm and super functional with big deep pockets on the inside of the jacket, perfect for stuffing skins into.

Buff- As a French friend said just yesterday "If you want to make ski mountaineering, you need a Buff", it really is that simple. Most first scoff at Buffs, but their opinion quickly changes once they realize just how versatile these little pieces of tubular head wear are. I have to admit that I have a collection of Buff's (about 4 and counting), but I wanted to make sure I had the right Buff for this trip to France. Marco at Buff NZ sent the team some great, black with silver ferns Buffs, that go great with the Texner suits or the Conquest Hoods.

Marvelox- If you want to go climbing, running, mountaineering, camping, or as for SkiMoNZ, skiing/skinning, Marvelox has the goods! With training and racing its easy to be skiing 5000-8000 meters of vertical in a week here in France, so having good skins are key. Sean at Marverlox was nice enough to set the whole team up with skins for training and racing.

Cactus Climbing- For this trip I needed a bag. It needed to be big, real big. I wasn't to worried about the color, but was thinking black would be nice, as that's quite the NZ color. Enter Cactus's Big Black Bag (BBB). This thing is perfect, not only is it a bag that's really big (and black) but it has all the quality's that make Cactus such a great brand. It's simple, very well made and extremely strong. Its easily carries 2 pairs of ski boots, 6 pairs of skins, 2 helmets, water, food, and all the other stuff that we lug around each weekend (and mid week) to races. Now if I can only figure out how to fit my skis into it........

Tour du Grand Veymont Video

2008-02-01T19:28:00.000+13:00

Stephane made this great video from the Tour du Grand Veymont race that was on the 27th January. Thanks to Stephane and all the others that contributed to this video!
I higly recommend taking the time to watch this as it's a pretty nice little video. Loving the AC/DC.......

Guest Blog- Nocturne du Grand Duc

2008-02-01T07:11:00.000+13:00

I did another night relay race on Tuesday, it was the same format as the No cturne de Chamrousse that Jane and I raced in a few weeks ago.

Jane was unavailable to race so I teamed up with fellow DSA member Stepane. I made contact with Stepane well before arriving in France, so it was pretty cool that we got to do this race togeather. Here's Stephane's race report he wrote for the DSA web site (he was nice enought to translate it in to english for me!)-

"For this 2° Nocturne I teamed up with Grant (aka The Flying Kiwi). He starts like a Skud and I see him 8 minutes later in the relay zone in Third position. All the pressure is on my Shoulders now ...

Starting quite quicky, avoiding to reach ultra-red to keep some energy for the next laps. I catch-up a bit on the previous one (good surprise !!). Suddenly my back is heated-up by the 200watts of a Silva headlight. The RGV Stephane Brosse is passing ...I feel the huge draft ...
A bit further, Marc is passing too. The first transition a bit messy for me and I rush down in the dark seeking for tiny red 'luciole' to reach the skating zone (it kills the rest of energy you could have spared). Passing by the relay zone our team-mates are noisyly encouraging us .
Transition again (skins ON) to run in a Nordic style until we reach the Arch of the relay zone. At this stage the Final Ranking is well drafted. We keep on fighting together with Thomas Warnier and Olivier Cordeuil, Grant having the task to catch-up for the precious seconds I wasted during my laps. After 1 hour, we are done, our lungs are devastated & white mulled-wine is healing them back up. Then comes a nice meal in the old Hotel du col de porte chatting about gear, training, next races and more ...
The evening end up with the Traditional Podium and prices.
Special Thanks to Grant."
-Stephane Mougin

Tour du Grand Veymont- My First Ski Mounatineering Race

2008-01-28T08:18:00.000+13:00

Well, my first REAL ski mountaineering race anyway.
We both were absolutely blown away by the Tour du Grand Veymont race course today. It started with a about a 400m climb on a groomed run, then some off piste tree skiing. Next climb started on a flat summer road, then the pitch stepped and the skinning got technical, with lots of kick turns. Not as technical as the boot pack section that followed. Wow. I couldn't believe it, it was so steep, and a mixture of snow, ice and rock. Thankfully there was a fixed rope that we clipped into and we had crampons on. The next ski was a traverse of sorts and then some icy skinning and another boot pack with crampons (this seemed like a side walk after the last boot pack). A nice icy ski and a final, short skin brought us to the final ski, about 700m to the finish line. The whole time the mountains around were pretty amazing.
I started out strong, in 3rd place on the first down hill, that was until it all went wrong for me.....
I managed to hit a nice big block of snow, flung my self down hard and pulled my foot and liner out of my ski boot?! I lost at least 3-4mins and about 15 places. I managed to get back into about 11th by the 2nd climb, but was pretty tired as I had to work hard to pass so many people. I was also pretty slow on the fixed rope as it was way beyond any kind of climbing I had done before.
In the end I finished in 10th, but am pretty frustrated as I was feeling strong, but that's racing and all part of the fun. And it was pretty fun.
Jane had an OK race, she finished 2nd, but wasn't feeling her best and was a way behind the winner.
We drove out with a friend Pierre, he placed 2nd over all and won the "old mans" divison.
Nice job Pierre!

Tour du Grand Veymont

2008-01-23T20:32:00.000+13:00

The 2nd world cup race of the season is taking place this Saturday, the Valerette Altiski in Switzerland. I am thinking about going but have been pretty sick for the last few weeks so will probably give it a miss as its a long way to go if I aren't 100%.
Closer to home is the Tour du Grand Veymont, which is part of the Grenoble 3 Massifs, or G3M. Here's a look at what we will be in for....

La Trace de Vaugel

2008-01-21T22:49:00.000+13:00

After racing in the French Vertical champs on Saturday the last thing I felt like doing was racing on Sunday, but I knew that doing back to back races would be good training for the Pierra Menta in March. Jane was racing with the DSA president, Cecile, so we were out the door at 5am to meet up with my team mate Thomas and other DSA members for the drive up to the Les Arcs area to race in the La Trace de Vaugel, a teams race of about 2200 vertical meters.
This was a huge contradiction to Saturdays race. A lot of people don't consider a vertical race to be a "real" ski mountaineering race (a view I some what share,despite really liking the idea behind a vertical race) and even more shy away from "championships". Longer, teams races, like the La Trace de Vaugel, on the other hand are very popular and much more social.
This was going to be the longest race either Jane or I had ever done, so we were both excited and nervous at how we would handle the extra vert. The course was really interesting, we started in a small road, surrounded by small cottages and run for about 100m on the road before starting to skin. The first climb was long and included some steep skinning with lots of tricky kick turns in a heavily treed area before getting out into the alpine and sun. On the first ski it was pretty clear that the skiing was going to be less than average, with breakable zipper crust. On the 2nd climb Thomas pointed out that Mt Blanc, France's highest point, was right in font of us! The 2nd ski was spicy, with a steep,double fall line and a cliff to one side. At this point I think we were about 18th or 19th place, but as Thomas skied down fast behind another racer he turned on to the "B" course! the racer he was following was in fact the leader of the singles race, so he was going the right was, but Thomas was not..........
I managed to yell loud enough that he back tracked to the fork and we skied down the rest of the A course, but had lost 5-7mins. It was a bit of a bummer, but its not like we were in the lead or going to finish in the top 3 or anything. All part of fun! We started the 3 climb and passed the slower racers quickly and I arrived at the top before Thomas and was able to help him with his transition and we passed a few more team here also. For the 4th and final climb we busted out the bungee and I "towed" Thomas. We picked off 2 more teams and even passed another team on the final ski down! When the snow disappeared we put our skis on our packs and ran a few hundred meters to the finish line.
We finished in about 3hrs27mins and in about 23rd place. Jane and Cecile finished in 5th for the girls division.
It was a really fun race and the course was very interesting. The standard 3 course meal followed, including a selection of cheese and wine, but unfortunately no Tartiflette this weekend.....
Stephan raced in the B course this weekend, finshed in 5th place and was still able to put together this short video! Nice one Stephane.

French Vertical Championships

2008-01-21T07:20:00.000+13:00

Well as I said, this weekend would be a reality check...........
Defending world champion Patrick Blanc, current European champion Florent Perrier and espoir world champion Nicolas Bonnet all were on the start line, along with a string of other top French racers for the French Vertical Championships on Saturday.
The course was going to be 1000m of climbing, but was reduced to 750m vertical (thankfully!). It was all on a groomed run and most of the course was pretty steep, with a few flat sections.
Now I would like to not count the 7 or 8 espoirs (21-23yrs old) that finished in front of me and say that I was 14th, but I think saying I placed 22nd is a much fairer representation of my placing. The winner, Florent Perrier finished in 24mins and I was 4min59sec behind, about 29mins. Well the placing was not what I had hoped for, I am really happy with my time! Sorry, no photos........

Nocturne de Chamrousse

2008-01-18T10:18:00.000+13:00

We raced in the Nocturne de Chamrousse on Tuesday night. Chamrousse is a ski area about 20mins for where we are living here in France, so there was no excuse for not going up for this small relay race. It was a very simple format-teams of 2, each taking turns to climb and ski 100vert meters, the team with the most laps in 1hr wins. The best thing about this kind if race is it is really social and great training.
Jane and I decided to race together in the "mixed" division which would make it more fun and make for an all kiwi team. I started out first, again getting a little caught out , but once under way "fun and "social" soon when out the window........
I arrived at the top first and had a pretty bad transition in the wind, and felt terrible when I arrived at the bottom. I handed off to Jane and laughed to myself, watching her run off in first place as the all men's teams followed behind. I was hoping that Jane would be passed by multiple racers so I would not have to go to hard on my next lap, but she arrived not far behind the leaders in 3rd place. This continued for the next 45mins or so and and in the end we did 4 laps each and finished in 1st for the mixed teams and 3rd place over all!
As always a huge feast followed and we met some fellow racers.
I have been really surprised, but a few different people have made a point of our 3rd place finish. On PisteHors.com they wrote "a mixed New Zealand team scored a notable third place overall (Jane Harper et Grant Guise of the CAF DSA)" and the FFME web site said similar (I think, its in French). I even got a small photo in the local paper....
This weekend I will race in a vertical race for the first time. Vertical races are just that, they involve no downhill skiing and just one climb. This race will be 1000m vert and is the French vertical championships. The French are renowned for vertical races, at the 2006 World Champs the had the top 3 places for the men, so this weekend is shaping up to be quite the reality check.

Trophée du Chaberton, Sun 13th Jan

2008-01-15T08:59:00.000+13:00

Did my first ever teams race on Sunday, the Trophée du Chaberton. I have been wanting to do a teams race for ages, so I was really excited to finally do one. I was racing with a Frenchman, Thomas, who I met through the DSA. It snowed about 30cm, so the race was changed from its original 2000 vertical meters, to about 1300m. We started out strong, arriving at the first check point in 5th, but were passed about half way up the 2nd climb. We then passed another team as they struggled skiing (we all did!) in the deep, heavy, new snow during the 2nd descent. Thomas lead the 3rd climb and was going strong, but I had skin issues and had to stop and swap to new skins. At this point I think we dropped back to 8th or 9th, but luckily I wasn't the only one with skin issues and we got back into 5th, leaving the transition just in front of another team. With Thomas being the stronger skier, I pulled aside to let him lead, but it never happened, instead, another team passed me! We held our position during the final climb and crossed the finish line (not before I took a hard, hard fall just before the finnish line) in 6th place.
It was a good race, with Thomas later telling me that he has never gone so hard in a race before, which explained why he had nothing for the ski down.
Jane entered the B course, which is a singles race of about 1000vert meters. Yep, you guessed it, she cleaned up! There was only 2 girls in the open class, but she did finish 7th over all (guys and girls) and was really happy with her result.
After the race there was a huge feast that included this ridiculously big fry pan of potato's and sausages cooked in a cheese sauce. Got to hand it to the French, they don't mess around when it comes to food (or ski mountaineering).
Tomorrow night Jane and I will race as a team in a small relay race, Nocturne de Chamrousse. I think we stand a good chance of winning the mixed teams category.
Here's a nice little video from the Trophée du Chaberton. They are Thomas' legs below and if you are quick you might spot me. I hope your French is better than mine...

Montgenevre Defi Chaberton 2008
Uploaded by snowmontge

DSA Training

2008-01-15T08:17:00.000+13:00

Had a little outing with the Dauphine Ski Alpinisme club, which Jane and I are members of now, on Saturday. They organised a small training clinic with French ski mountaineering legend Pierre Gignoux.
Rather than me writing about it, check out this video Stephan made........

la Nocturne de l'Aigle Cancelled/ La Plein Taquet Video

2008-01-11T09:39:00.000+13:00

Unfortunately the la Nocturne de l'Aigle, or Night of the Eagle, was cancelled last Tuesday due to a lack of snow! I thought that kind of thing only happened in NZ.
We have a race coming up this Sunday, the Trophée du Chaberton. Jane is going to race in the singles event, which is around 1000m and I will do the teams race with a French guy that I will race with during the winter. The Teams race is about 2000m, so will be a real test as its the first time I have done a race this big, can't wait!

To give you a taste of what a race in Europe is like, here's a video of the start of La Plein Taquet which we raced in last Saturday night.

Plein Taque- Our First Race of The Season

2008-01-06T23:51:00.000+13:00

Last night we finally lined up for our first race of the season here in France, the Plein Taque, a short individual race. The Plein Taque is held in Le Planay, which is home to the biggest race in France, the Pierra Menta. The race course was very short, just 3 laps of 140 vertical meters, so was a real sprint. Despite it being short, it was a very interesting and fun course. It started on a ski run and then quickly turned into the "off-piste" and the skin track climbed between trees before going steeply up beside another groomed ski run. Once at the top, the downhill started out on a narrow summer road, that included a short uphill skate and a high speed hair pin turn that spat you out onto a groomed run that lead back to the start/finish area. If this wasn't interesting enough it was 6:30 at night, so apart from the start /finish area, the whole thing was only lit up by competitors head lamps.
We had no idea what to expect as we drove up to this event, as we knew it was only a small race. As we drove through Beafort on the way to Le Planay, we spotted Florent Perrier, the 2007 winner of the Pierra Menta standing outside the local cheese factory, then in Areches, racers walked the streets in tight, one-piece lycra suits.
At race registration we spotted a good chunk of the French national team, including Grégory Gachet, Florent Perrier's partner from the Pierra Menta and Laetitia Roux, the female European champion! So much for just a "small race".
Lining up for the start was an experience in itself, as everyone looked fast, we weren't sure were to go in the line up. Not understanding French was also an issue at this point, as I was totally caught off guard as racer's around me took off. I was amazed at how fast the guys in the front were going! I quickly started passing people trying to make up for a bad start and my poor starting position. It was amazing skinning up as cheers of support and bells rang out from the dark on almost every corner of the lower part of the course. I passed a few more people near the top and had a good transition, coming out just behind 2 other racers and only darkness behind me. Arriving at the bottom for the 2nd uphill racers were greeted by bright lights and a lot of noise from the crowed that was waiting. I arrived just as the 2 racers in front of me were leaving and there was a string of head lamps in front of them- I had no idea where I was placed. Just after me was top female racer Laetitia Roux.
I botched my next few transitions, as the 2 guys in front of me got further away, but I managed to hold off Roux!
As I crossed the finish line, I had no idea were I had placed, but was surprised how few races had already finished, so was stoked to find out I had place 8th over all, with the only races in front of me being French team members. Some of whom are only 18-19yrs old.
Jane finished about 5 min behind me. Her unbeaten run had come to an end, but she was stoked to place 4th in the female class, also only being beaten by French team members.
After a short warm down we went inside for prize giving and dinner. Jane was stoked to get a bottle of red wine and some salami for getting 4th and I picked up another bottle of red as a spot prize! Then a huge dinner was served and we got talking to some fellow racers, who were very interested to hear that we were from New Zealand.
Other Race News
I have just found out that my application to race in the Patrouille des Glaciers has be accepted! The PDG is a 1 day suffer fest, that climbs almost 4000 meters and is 53km long! It is a teams race of 3, so I hope I can convince some other kiwis to make it over for this race in late April.
While in Areches yesterday we also put in our applications to race in the Pierra Menta. It is a teams of 2, 4 day race, that covers almost 10,000m of climbing. We have both found some French racers to do this with.
Next race is this Tuesday night, the La Nocturne de l'Aigle (Night of the Eagle), a short 2 person relay race. Its 80m laps and you and your team mate do as many as you can in 1hr. I think Jane and I have a good chance of winning the mixed division, we will see....

Team Member Gary MacPherson

2008-01-05T20:16:00.000+13:00

Today we catch up with another member of the New Zealand Ski Mountaineering Team. As stated in the previous post, the team has been thinned out a little, with Kath and Duncan both having to pull out due to injuries, so it does seem like a good time to find out a bit more about one of the racers that's still fit and ready to go.

Gary MacPherson has the prestige of winning NZ's first ski mountaineering race, the 2006 Temple Basin Rando Rally. He turned in a good effort at the BD Ohau event this winter, for a 3rd place finish (pretty good as he had just recovered from an ankle operation!), but the flu and work got the better of him and he never managed to line up for the other 3 races. He's looking to make up for that in Switzerland.
I managed to squeeze a few details out of the native Scotsman turned kiwi....
SkiMoNZ:How did you get into ski mountaineering racing?
G Mac: Through work managing a field that hosted a ski mo event and love of ski touring.

Why do you race/what's the best part of racing?
It's an extension of back-country skiing combining my love of multisport racing.

What event are you most anticipating at the SMWC? Individual Long Race, it is a 3000 metre vertical event!
Any advice for anyone wanting to get into racing in NZ? Just do it. Get yourself a good touring set up and come along for a fun day out.

What training are you doing currently in preparation? Training for Coast to Coast - a one day challenge crossing from one side of New Zealand to the other. Doing lots of running, cycling and paddling.

Gary, training hard. Avalanche Peak, APNP, spring 2007

Bad News.......

2007-12-31T09:45:00.000+13:00

I have been super busy over the last month and have neglected this site a little. As they say "no news is good news", so what do you know, my first post in a month and its bad news........ Unfortunately both Kath and Duncan have decided against competing in Europe this summer due to nagging injuries that have prevented them from doing any full training for the last 2-3 months. This is quite a blow for NZ's new and developing ski mountaineering racing scene, as having both Kath and Duncan race at the 2008SMWC would have helped greatly in the growth of the sport here in NZ with all the new skills they would have returned home with. Looks like Gary, Jane and I will just have to step it up a notch now in Switzerland come February. Jane and I are based in France now with training coming along slowly, but steadily. I arrived minus my ski bag, which wasn't too bad as it took about a week to recover from the 30+hrs of travel. The missing bag finally turned up and this past week was the first solid week of training with about 7000m of vertical for the week. Not huge, but starting to get into the swing of things. Had a nice 2000m day on New Years.
Word from Gary is he is training his ass off! This is a shot of Jane on New Years day.

Announcing the 2008 New Zealand Ski Mountaineering Race Team

2007-11-30T21:03:00.000+13:00

A few of you out there may have already heard the news, that New Zealand for the first time will be represented at the Ski Mountaineering World Champs (SMWC), that will take place at Portes du Soleil in Switzerland. The 4th SMWC will run from February 23rd to March 1st 2008.

The team is-

Duncan Sherratt

Gary MacPherson

Grant Guise

Jane Harper

Kathy Conlan

Fraser MacIntosh -team manager/support

The 2008 NZ team has also so picked up some amazing support along the way.

Swiss company Texner will supply custom race suits and other sponsors are Icebreaker, Buff, Marvelox and the New Zealand Alpine Club.

More details of the SMWC can be seen at http://www.smwc2008.ch/

For the next 11 or so weeks we will do a series of “meet and get to know” members of the New Zealand ski mountaineering race team.

This is the first in a series of “meet and get to know” members of the New Zealand ski mountaineering race team.
This week we catch up with Jane Harper. Jane is one of the more experienced members of the team, having won the 2007 Asian Ski Mountaineering Champs in Nagano, Japan.
Jane also is undefeated, having placed 1st in both the 2006 and 2007 Temple Basin Randonnee Rally and CraigieBurner events and winning the 2007 Scarpa Ski Mountaineering Race Series.
-SkiMoNZ: How did you get into ski mountaineering Jane, in particular the race side of it?
-JH: I did the MECNZ ski patrol course in Wanaka in 2003, we had to buy all the necessary gear, including a back country ski touring set up. Part of the course included doing back country days and it just grew from there. When I first heard about ski mountaineering races it sounded like a lot fun, so I just gave it ago.
-SkiMoNZ: You have had a very successfully run so far, wining all 7 races you have enter, what do you hope to achieve in Europe this winter?
-JH: I want to see what I am capable of.
-SkiMoNZ: What kind of preparation are you doing training wise?
-JH: Currently trail running uphill at least 1hr 4-6 days a week. I will be living in France from mid December and plan on stepping training up once there. Skinning at least 1000m vert most days, as well as some skate skiing.
-SkiMoNZ: What event are you most anticipating at the SMWC?
-JH: The individual short race has me the most excited. Its 1600m vertical and the course looks really nice. If all goes to plan, I will race on it as part of a World Cup event a month before the SMWC.
-SkiMoNZ: For you, what is the best thing about these races?
-JH: The best thing about racing is you get really fit, so when you are out on a fun day back country skiing you can get more turns.

Jane standing atop Temple Peak, high above Temple Basin in Arthur's Pass National Park

Taranaki Hard Core.....

2007-11-20T15:25:00.000+13:00

Well, I don't think we can quite claim that yet, but our first 3 days in the Naki have been pretty darn good!
Got things started with a little trail running on Saturday. We both ran to the snow line, which worked out to be about 900m of vert. Was good to get an idea of things, as we planned to return the next day with skis.

On Sunday we started from North Egmont, up the Summit Rd, but not before being asked "do you know this mountain?" by a little old lady who was concerned that we might be a little confused with the skis on our back.
We made it to the 2518m summit of Mt Taranaki in about 3hrs and had really good skiing off the top before skiing into the early after noon cloud that had rolled in. We made it back to the camper in just under 5hrs for the car-summit-car trip, with 1585m climbing and about 700m vert skiing. I woke up yesterday and wanted to ski some more, so after a late start (3 in the after noon!) I managed to climb to the top of Snow Valley (just over 12oom from the Camp House) in about 1hr45min. It was there that I meet up with Glenn, the man behind MountainZ and iclimb. I was hoping to catch up with Glenn on this trip, so it was a nice surprise to randomly meet him out on the hill rather than in a cafe or bar.

Training is coming along, but when I add up the vertical I climbed over the last 3 days it doesn't even add up to the total vert of the Patrouille des Glaciers race, let alone the 10,000 vertical meters that's climbed during the 4 day event the Pierra Menta!

Mangaehuehe Glacier Ski Tour-13/10/07

2007-10-16T16:50:00.000+13:00

Joe Climbing up Mangaehuehe Glacier

"Clear with Gale's"?

Jane nearing the top of the Glacier

Jane skiing down....

Joe making Turns

Avalanche Peak Trip Report

2007-09-27T06:37:00.000+12:00

Last week Jane, Gary, Noel and I headed up to Avalanche Peak in Arthur’s Pass National Park for a bit of skiing. While this winter has been a bit thin on snow, Avalanche Peak and the ridge towards Lyell Peak has had a good cove of snow up high and with the heavy rain, followed with cold, clear skies, a nice “corn” cycle was under way when we headed up.

With the smooth, consistent spring snow we all decided we could get away with our skinny, short race skis, allowing us to travel light and reach the snow in just after an hour. After about another 45 minutes we were standing on top of Avalanche Peak, with amazing views of Mt Rolleston’s Crow Face and Mt Franklin in the distance behind Temple Col.

We skied as nice SE-E line of the top and then made our way towards Lyell Peak, which was a lot closer than it first look. The NE face of the top of Lyell was in great condition, but was also a lot shorter than it first looked. From there we skied back to Scott’s track and to where we had left our shoes and head down to the Village. We did about 1600meters of climbing and around 1000m of skiing in the 6 hrs we were out.
Still heaps of snow out there if you don’t mind working hard for it! Check out www.softrock.co.nz for weather and mountain conditions in the Arthur's Pass NP.

SCARPA 2007 Ski Mountaineering Race Series Final Results

2007-09-17T18:06:00.000+12:00

Men’s Race Division
120 Gena Sibaev
92 Duncan Sherratt
77 Alexis Poilvert
70 Noel Oien
64 Gregg Beisly
58 Will Page
56 Eric Bunce
54 Tim Ensor
38 Andy Evans
36 Chris Slade
34 Sean Waters
32 Russell Bradock
30 John Lindsey
30 Geoff Small
25 Blair Leslie
24 Duncan Ellis
22 Gary MacPherson
20 Nigel Lloyd
20 Steven Parker
19 Micheal Halseggar
18 Chris Erikson
18 Joe Wilson
18 Richard Johnson
17 Scott Cambell
15Craig Martella
13 Matt McLoch
12 Graham Allen
7 Greg Seatolt
6 Reese Doyle

Women's Race Division
120 Jane Harper
50 Emily Favell
25 Kath Conlan
25 Jess Donaghue
22 Sally Schott
22 Melanie Powkev
20 Jo Prince
20 Cindy Hague
19 Tina Armstrong
19 Sonia Waters

2007 Marmot CraigieBurner Official Results

2007-09-17T17:52:00.000+12:00

Clear skies, strong winds, slick skin tracks and steep skiing all made for an excellent final race of the SCARPA ski mountaineering race series, the Marmot CraigieBurner on the 15th of September.
As most are aware the CraigieBurner, a race between Craigieburn and Broken River ski areas that uses the tows to gain vertical is a regular fixture in mid September. This year seen the return of the “Classic Burner” as well as a new “Race” division, that used no tows to gain the vert.
Both divisions started at the old Poma shed and climbed quickly to the summit of Hamilton Peak, removed skins and skied the steep Allan’s Basin face of Hamilton.
The race division skinned up Kicker Ridge and boot packed up a steep ridge to Nervous Knob, then skied and skinned along the ridge back to the summit of Hamilton. A short ski back to the start, then a quick skin back to ridge line and a little waking throwing in between seen racers arrive at Castle before one last steep ski down to the last check point. From there it was just less than 200m of vertical to the finish line! This totaled for just under 900m of vertical climbing.
The Classic Burner replaced the 2nd and 4th climbs with the BR and CV tows.
Gena, Duncan and Jane took their usual positions at the front of the pack on the first climb towards Hamilton and never looked back. Alexis had his best placing of the season, taking 3rd on Saturday, which seen him finishing 3rd in the Scarpa series. Gena and Duncan rounded out the top 3 of the 4 race series.

Another feature of the CraigieBurner is the Snowline Cross Country Cups. I am told that Snowline was a ski shop back in the 70’s and these cups were competed for among Criagieburn and Broken River club members in a cross country ski race. Now days CV and BR members race for these cups at the annual Burner. Last year it was Jane and Jon that won, this year’s top “clubbies” were Jon’s brother CJ and Jane for a 2nd year.

Men’s Race Division
1st Gena Sibaev 1hr.14min.21sec
2nd Duncan Sherratt 1.25.13
3rd Alexis Poilvert 1.37.23
4th Eric Bunce 1.38.32
5th Andy Evans 1.39.39
6th Tim Ensor 1.40.45
7th Sean Waters 1.42.01
8th Russell Bradock 1.43.21
9th Will Page 1.53.45 1st SNOWBOARDER!
10th Noel Oien 1.54.35
11th Gregg Beisly 2.08.41
12th Duncan Ellis 2.23.59
13th John Lindsey 2.28.23
14th Chris Slade 2.38.53
15th Richard Johnson 2.52.57

Woman’s Race Divison
1st Jane Harper 1.23.46
2nd Emily Favell 2.50.55

“Classic Burner”Men’s
1st CJ Wright 1.10.53
2nd Jon Wright 1.11.43
3rd Graeme Joyce 1.26.50
4th Reese Doyle 1.50.54 1st snowboarder
5th Egienne von Tonder 2.38.42
6th Adrian Lindsay 2.42.21

Woman’s
1st Gillian 1.39.42
2nd Kylie Laurie 1.56.41
3rd Kit ???????

Marmot Craigieburner Update

2007-09-12T09:16:00.000+12:00

Looks like finally we might get some good weather for a race, Saturdays weather is looking good at this stage.
A few changes from what was earlier posted on the CraigieBurner page a few months ago.
Course
I won't know until I have had a chance to have a look around tomorrow, but it's very likely both course's will change some what due to a lack of snow down low. Both race's will now start at Siberia Basin at 1030am.
Lift Tickets
ALL competitors are now required to purchase a ticket, this will be at 25% off the normal rate. With Craigieburn and Broken River providing patrol assistance during the race, this is the least we can do for that service.
NEW TIMES!
8:30-9:30am registration and gear check
9:30am-Pre race meeting
10:30am-RACE/Classic Burner start-Siberia Basin (old T-bar shed)
12:30pm-Cut off time top of Hamilton Peak. ANY racer arriving at the top of Hamilton Peak after 12:30 will be required to pull out of the race.

4:30pm-Prize giving at CV bar. Race, Classic and SCARPA series top 3 finishers awarded prizes as well as spot prizes.

Remember this is the final race of the SCARPA 2007 Ski Mountaineering Race Series, with double points up for grabs and prizes for the top 3 finishes in the series including 2 pairs of SCARPA ski mountaineering boots!!

Look forward to seeing you all there on Saturday!

Telemark Aotearoa

2007-09-05T08:35:00.000+12:00

I just got a e-mail from Calum at Telemark Aotearoa to say that Mel, the winner of the rec class at Turoa, wrote up a race report on the Peak Fuel Ruapehu Ripper and its up at Telemark Aotearoa's home page. If you get a chance check it out. This web site is the leading soruce for telemarking in NZ, so it's well worth a look!

Its great to see interest growing in these race's not only among folk's on the super light ski mountaineering gear, but also telemark (and split board!) gear. The main aim of the race series is to bring together like minded folk's in a fun and social setting and despite mother nature's best (or worst?) attempts, it seems to be working.

On that note, don't forget about the race this weekend at Rainbow Ski Area. Talking with Clint, it sound like they are going for a real social event, that should be a lot of fun.

Scarpa Race Series Overall Points

2007-09-05T04:21:00.000+12:00

Both Jane and Gena have a decisive lead in the overall series with one race to go, but remember-double points at the series final-the Marmot CraigieBurner on the 15th September, so its far from over! Noel and Duncan look set to duke it out for 2nd place on the 15th.
Olny your top 3 races will count towards the overall series.

Men’s Race Division
Ponits/Name
85 Gena Sibaev
44 Noel Oien
42 Duncan Sherratt
33 Alexis Poilvert
30 Geoff Small
30 Gregg Beisly
28 Will Page
25 Blair Leslie
22 Gary MacPherson
20 Nigel Lloyd
20 Steven Parker
19 Micheal Halseggar
18 Tim Ensor
18 Chris Erikson
18 Joe Wilson
17 Scott Cambell
16 Chris Slade
16 Eric Bunce
15Craig Martella
13 Matt McLoch
12 Graham Allen
8 John Lindsey
7 Greg Seatolt
6 Reese Doyle

Women's Race Division
90 Jane Harper
25 Kath Conlan
25 Jess Donaghue
22 Sally Schott
22 Melanie Powkev
20 Jo Prince
20 Cindy Hague
19 Tina Armstrong
19 Sonia Waters

Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally

2007-09-05T04:02:00.000+12:00

Another shocking day of strong wind and heavy rain was not enough to keep away 13 hard core ski mountaineering racer’s this past Saturday at the Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally.
The course was again reduced to a shorter 300m version because of the weather. The Rec class did this once , with the Race class doing 2 laps. There were lots of transitions in the short race, that included 2 boot pack sections, a short uphill tussock climb, a creek crossing and a run along the trail from Temple lodge to Temple tow. The high light of the course was the steep boot pack up “Upper Leap In”.
The race was wide open after last years Rando Rally winner, Gary, opted out of the race at the last minute. Gena, Jane and Duncan charged out at the start and all arrived at the bottom of the first boot pack together. Gena’s speedy transition seen him break away from the lead group at this point. Duncan managed to hold off Noel for 2nd, while Noel made it in the top 3 for the second time in the series.
Jane had an easy win and defended her title after Kath pulled out, but only after Kath lost her skin, found her skin (and Reese’s!) and then stopped to assist fellow racer Tristan.
Huge thanks to the crew at Temple for making this happen! The marshals in the rain and wind did a stellar job!
Thanks to all the sponsors, especially Scarpa and Deuter for the great prizes.

Results
Race Class
Male
1st Gena Sibaev 45min23sec
2nd Duncan Sherratt 57.50
3rd Noel Oien 59.34
4th Gregg Beisly 61.10
5th Alexis Poilvert 62.43
6th Tim Ensor 63.22
Will Page DNF
Chris Slade DNF
Tristan Bennett DNF
Gary MacPherson DNS
Craig Martella DNS
Female
1st Jane Harper 51.07
Kath Conlan DNF
Sally Schotts DNS
Rec Class
Male
1st Reese Doyle 37.12
Female
1st Gillian Ensor 42.09
Rainbow Ski Mountaineering Race!
Rainbow Ski Area is hosting a ski mountaineering race this Saturday (7th September). Its to raise funds for the Rainbow ski patrol and should be a really fun weekend. The course will apparently have a transceiver search in the middle of the race that will keep things interesting. Entry is $25 and all racers get a free lift ticket for the day!!
Word on the street is the ever growing and formidable AP ski mo team will be travelling north and possible even the MPP will be turning up.
http://www.skirainbow.co.nz/ for more info.

Help Wanted and Bring Your Crampons!!

2007-08-27T08:01:00.000+12:00

RACE MARSHALS WANTED

This could be you!

We are in need of some willing people to help out this weekend at Temple and also on the 15th September at Crigieburn as race marshals.

This is a highly sort after position, so e-mail me asap if you want one of the best seats in the house to watch all the action. This is idea for those travelling to support a friend in the races.

If you are interested, you know any one that might be interested in helping out e-mail me at- grant@skimountaineering.org

CRAMPONS REQUIRED FOR RANDO RALLY

Make sure you pack your crampons for this weekend. Depending on the race day conditions we may make them required for the uphill boot pack up "Main Chute". If they are required and you don't have them, you will NOT be allowed to race!! No exceptions!

Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally Update-Still on!!

2007-08-25T16:59:00.000+12:00

Have had a few people ask about the Temple race and if it is still on or not? I can happily say it is all go for the 1st of September!!
The course has be changed a bit due to the snow conditions (and there is a good chance that it will change again in the next week), but I don't think people will be disappointed. The latest plan that I have hatched ( along with some help from some of the top racers!) will be the most fun and technical race so far this season.
A thin snow pack and tricky snow conditions are as much a part of ski mountaineering in NZ as anything, so don't be put of off by what you may have read or heard, this will be a great weekend.
If you are planning on coming up, I strongly recommend staying at least Friday night at Temple Basin (save having to walk 1hr the morning of the race!). Staying Saturday night and making the most of the back country skiing on Sunday would also be well worth it. Go to www.templebasin.co.nz/prices/overnight.htm for details.
Goods Lift Times-Friday-7-7:30pm. Saturday-7-7:30am
Race registration-8-9am
Pre Race meeting-9am Race Start-10am

The Race Division course will involve a lot of taking off and putting on of skis (3 times before the 1st down hill!) and will involve both uphill and downhill boot packs.

For both divisions, the final down hill will be broken into 2 sections by a boot pack along the "DownHill" walking track and a somewhat technical boot pack near the top of Temple Tow.

This will be a real test!! Not wanting to scare anyone off, but if entering, be sure you are confident with steep skinning, climbing both up and downhill with skis/board on your backpack and are a strong "off piste" skier/rider.

Ripper Results

2007-08-24T14:45:00.000+12:00

Was a great race on Sunday, with Gena (who just had his 47th birthday today) running away with an easy win. Noel and Blair battled it out for 2nd and 3rd, with Noel leading until the final ski down.

Jane again won the female race class, with Jess and Melanie having a close race for 2nd and 3rd.

Congratulations to all who turned up, hope to see you all a the Temple Rando Rally on the 1st September!

Woman's Rec Class

Place Number Name hours/min

1 112 Mel Whitina 1.09

Male Rec Class

1 110 Scott Claridge 1.24

2 111 James Maher 1.25

Male Race Class

1 5 Gena Sibaev 1.26

2 35 Blair Leslie 1.38

3 30 Noel Oien 1.39

4 33 Steven Parker 1.54

5 37 Will Page 1.58

6 32 Joe Wilson 2.01

7 31 Scott Cambell 2.25

8 38 Chris Slade 2.36

Female Race Class

1 6 Jane Harper 1.29

2 39 Jess Donaghue 1.57

3 34 Melanie Powkev 1.59

4 3 Cindy Hague 2.04

5 36 Sonia Waters 2.34

40 Mike Donoghue 0.58 M Snow boarder on snow shoes, entered race class but did only one lap Race Class

Ripper Photos

2007-08-24T05:22:00.000+12:00

A few shots from the race in the weekend. Was a really good race on Sunday with a good turn out despite the poor weather. Should have the results up in a day or 2.
All photos by Desmond Downs.

Peak Fuel Ripper Course Update

2007-08-18T19:02:00.000+12:00

Hi all, this is going to be the new course for the race tomorrow.
1 is the Start/Finsih line, from there its connecting the numbers. The Rec divison will do this once, with the Race diviosn doing it twice. At the start of CP2 there will be a boot pack section. A call will be made in the morning on weather racers will be reqiured to wear crampons or not on this boot pack section.

PEAK FUEL RUAPEHU updated 7:10am 18/08/07

2007-08-18T06:59:00.000+12:00

Morning all, unfortunately the weather is looking a little grim at Turoa today and Craig has made the call to POSTPONE the race until tomorrow. The strong winds, rain and poor visibility made the decision an easy one.
Good news is the weather is look a lot better for Sunday, so it will be all go tomorrow!
We hope that this does not effect to many people and you can all make it along tomorrow. I went over the course yesterday with Craig and it looks like it will be a fun one. It has been changed a bit from the original course because of the forecast weather and snow conditions, but will still have some fun skiing and a nice boot pack section in it. The Race division will do 2 laps (4 climbs) and the Rec division will do one lap(2 climbs). Total vertical climbing (and descent) will be around 400meters for Rec and 800m for Race. Its a little on the short side, but will feel a lot longer I am sure!
Any questions, shoot us an e-mail, other wise see you on the start line!

Peak Fuel Ruapehu Ripper

2007-08-13T19:50:00.000+12:00

Only 5 days away now, stop 2 in the SCARPA race series-the Peak Fuel Ruapehu Ripper (the only race in the NI in this winters) is shaping up to be a good one!
Talking with Craig, it sound like things are all go for the full planned course if the weather plays ball, which it looks like it will.
There will be quite the turn out, with a lot of interest show from the NI "skinners", as well as a strong Arthur's Pass/Temple Basin crew travelling north for the race. Gena and Gary, who finished 2nd and 3rd at Ohau, along with Noel, who was looking good until taking a wrong turn in the white out at Oahu, will be there, as well as Jane, who won the female division 10 day's ago.
Look forward to seeing you ion the start line for this one!

LOST GLASSES?
We found a pair of glasses at Ohau last week on the 2nd climb, so shot us an e-mail if your missing a pair.

Black Diamond Ohau Backcountry Blast-Race Report

2007-08-09T10:16:00.000+12:00

And they are off.......

This was the scene at the start line of the Blast this past Saturday. It was quit a sight seeing 40 people running up past the magic carpet at Ohau. After things thinned out a bit it was Gena who had the early lead and was first out of CP1 (Check Point 1), with Geoff close behind. The ski from CP1 to CP2 was trick to say the least in the white out conditions that came in about 5 min's after starting the race and that's were most people went a stray (funny how that worked out, it was by far the easiest and most dull part of the race if you could see were to go?). Geoff took the lead out of CP2 and was the first to reach Henry at CP3. By CP4 Geoff had a couple of minutes on Gena and had already started the final climb before Gena arrived. It was far from over as Gena managed to pull Geoff back in on the final climb and arrived at the final check point first. Unfortunately for Gena it wasn't enough and Geoff ran him down on the final ski to win by 1 minute.
While Geoff and Gena battled it out for first, Gary and Nigel did the same for 3rd, with Gary passing Nigel on the final climb for an impressive finish after having ankle surgery earlier this winter. Nigel-nice dress!

Jane quietly went about her business and spent most the race in "no mans land" winning the lady's race and taking 3rd over all! Kath and Sally finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Special mention needs to go out to Tina, who did come in last, but amazingly this was her first time on skin's!! Tina did the +/-950 meter vertical race in just over 3hrs, not bad for her first time skinning.

Big thanks to every one that made this event a success, look forward to seeing you at Turoa on the 18th of August!

Racers lining up for the start.

Gary, Gena and Geoff, top 3 males in race class.

Gena takes an early lead.

"Outdoor Cool"? maybe, best dressed, definitely!

Black Diamond Ohau Backcountry Blast-Results

2007-08-06T08:26:00.000+12:00

Black Diamond Ohau Backcountry Blast
4th August 2007 Official Results
Men's Race Division
Place Name Bib Number Time
1 Geoff Small 29 1hr08min
2 Gena Sibaev 5 1hr09min
3 Gary MacPherson 12 1hr26min
4 Nigel Lloyd 2 1hr28min
5 Micheal Halseggar 27 1hr35min
6 Chris Erikson 9 1hr37min
7 Duncan Sherrattt 14 1hr41min
8 Eric Bunce 20 1hr42min
9 Craig Martella 7 1hr42min
10 Alexis Poilvert 8 1hr45min
11 Matt McLoch 24 1hr46min
12 Graham Allen 19 1hr49min
13 Tim Ensor 11 1hr49min
14 Gregg Belsby 18 2hr04min
15 Will Page 15 2hr 10min
16 John Lindsey 10 2hr12min
17 Greg Seatolt 22 2hr13min
18 Reese Doyle 17 2hr15min
Noel Oien 26 DNF
Tawny Wagstaff 25 DNF

Women's Race Division
1 Jane Harper 6 1hr18min
2 Kath Conlan 16 1hr36min
3 Sally Schott 4 1hr55min
4 Jo Prince 28 2hr40min
5 Tina Armstrong 21 3hr10min

Sorry, no times for Rec Division
Men's Rec Division
1 Ian Dee 107
2 Pete Graves 103
3 Mike Flatters 105

Women's Rec Division
1 Caroline Blakie 104
2 Gillian Ensor 106
3 Nicola Millar 109
4 Kate Hannaford 102
5 Jenny Beigtiton 108
DNF Tess Bunny 101

Black Diamond Back Country Blast Update

2007-08-02T19:30:00.000+12:00

Just an update for every one.
Big change is we have moved the start time back. Please pass this on.
Friday 3rd August
-7:30pm-In TV lounge
Race briefing and registration for those at lodge
DVDs-2006 PDG and Gasherbrum II
Saturday 4th August
-8:30-9am-race registration in day lodge on hill
-9-9:20am-pre race meeting in day lodge
Gear check from 830-930am in day lodge
-10am Race Start
-1:30pm-cut off time for race
-5pm prize giving at lake Ohau lodge

Diving in to Ohau today things looked pretty good on the hill. They had 30cm up high a few days ago and are expecting a little more tonight. Fingers crossed we will be racing for powder on Saturday! Things are shaping up well for a great race.
Look forward to seeing you on the start line!

TRANSTIONS-As Easy As 1,2,3.....Putting On your Skins

2007-07-27T08:49:00.000+12:00

Putting on skins is another area that one can make up, or loss for that matter, a lot of time in a ski mountaineering race or while racing our buddy's on a powder day.

Most of us will spend at least 5 minutes, if not 15 putting our skins on. Top races will do this in under 60 seconds!!

Just as there is when taking skins off, there are a few key things to remember - take your pole straps off and put poles in one hand (to keep it really simple, drop them on the snow) and have your top unzipped, ready to pull your skins out (remember they aren't in your pack).

The Perfect Fold Every Time

2007-07-24T17:43:00.000+12:00

The other day we went over how to remove your skins in a fast and efficient manner that took only 10’s of seconds instead of 10 minutes. Now what to do with these furry, sticky thinks once they are off? The standard way of dealing with your skins is to stick them together by touching the tip and tails, then pressing together. This works fine most times. But what if its windy out, or you are in the heat of battle at one of the upcoming ski mountaineering races were a mis-fold could be costly? Clearly you need a fast and efficient folding technique to go with your flash new way of removing your skins.
I learnt this trick from friend Steve Romeo. Steve represented the US at the 3rd World Ski Mountaineering Champs in Italy in 2006, is a NZAC member and has made some very notable ski descents in the Teton mountains of Wyoming were he lives. Check out is web site-www.tetonat.com
I just use the centre fold of the skins as the start point, but if you want to make it even easier you can bust out a permanent marker and mark the centre line of your skins.
Damien Jackson is today’s model.

2008 World Ski Mountaineering Champs

2007-07-22T15:23:00.000+12:00

Just got a e-mail from Yanick, one of the organisers, detailing the schedule of events for the 4th World Ski Mountaineering Championships to be help in Chablais-Portes du Soleil, Switzerland from February 23rd-1st March 2008.
The most interesting feature is the inclusion of a 2nd singles races. The standard 1600m vertical race is included, along with a longer 3000m vertical race. This bringing the total number of races to 5, in a week long event that will see the best ski mountaineering races in the world, including a team from NZ, doing battle.

Program for 4th Ski Mountaineering World Championship 2008
Chablais-Portes du Soleil, Switzerland
-Saturday 23rd of Feb. Team Welcome – Opening Ceremony
-Sunday 24th of Feb. Adult race: Individual Race (1650m vert)
Open Young (800m vert)
-Monday 25th of Feb Adult race: relay-race
Young race: relay-race
-Tuesday 26th of Feb Adult race: Team race (1950m vert)
Young race: Individual race (1250m vert)
-Wednesday 27th of Feb Day off
-Thursday 28th of Feb Adult race: Vertical race (880m vert, no down hill)
Young race: Vertical race (500m vert, no down hill)
-Friday 29th of Feb Adult race: Long distance Individual race (3000m vert)
Closing Ceremony with Gala dinner
-Saturday 01st March Team departure

If you want to see where it is, check out- www.champery.ch or www.portesdusoleil.com
The official web site of the 4th world champs is www.smwc2008.com although it won't be up and running until late August.

TRANSITIONS- As Easy As 1,2,3...Removing your skins

2007-07-21T21:44:00.000+12:00

“There's more than one way to skin a cat” or in this case, de-skin a ski. The following is one such way and is more than anything a starting point for speeding up your transitions in a ski mountaineering race. This technique can be adapted to any situation (racing or a lazy day in the “slack country” for example) and in one form or another, to any type of gear - tele, fritsch/naxo or Dynafit binding.
A few key things to remember - as you come in to the transition point/summit, have your pole straps removed and poles in one hand (so you don’t get tangled up) and your shirt/jacket unzipped so you can stuff you skins easily. Whatever routine you adapt, make sure it is a routine and that you practice and perfect it. While most people will spend well over five minutes farting around folding skins, you should spend less than 20 seconds!
Jane Harper, winner of last years inaugural Temple Basin Randonnee Rally and the 2007 Asian Ski Mountaineering Champs takes us through today’s lesson.
Comments/ questions are welcome.

Skin To Win-The Climber Articel

2007-07-21T16:22:00.000+12:00

After the Wilderness post a few days ago I remembered about the write up in The Climber that SkiMoNZ has in the latest winter issue. For those of you out there smart enough to be a New Zealand Alpine Club member you will have received a copy of The Climber a few weeks ago now. If you don’t have a copy, head down to your nearest book store and pick one up, or even better -join the NZAC and receive 4 issue’s a year of The Climber. Click HERE on how to become a NZAC member.
The article is titled “Skin To Win” and details the upcoming race series as well as having some pointers to make racing and more importantly,

your day to day ski touring more enjoyable. This latest issue is heavy on skiing (a good thing!)

and also includes an excellent article by Shane Orchard on ski mountaineering in the Aoraki Mt Cook area, which is well worth a read!

Top to bottom skiing at Temple Basin!
Hard to believe yes, but apart from one tiny section of walking, Damin managed to ski from the top of "Down Hill Buttress" to Temple tow shed a few days ago. His route down was via "Main Chute". Main chute is normally a big, wide open chute in normal snow years. So big and wide its generally not that interesting to ski, but in low snow years like this its a treat! Hardly filled in at all, its currently steep and narrow, like all good couloirs should be and is skiing really well with hard "grippy" snow.

SkiMoNZ in August issue of "Wilderness" magazine

2007-07-19T18:49:00.000+12:00

Just got my hands on the latest issue of "Wilderness" and was stoked to see that the Black Diamond Ohau Backcountry Blast made the "5 Reasons to get outside in August"

The BD Blast is on the list with other events the Monteith's Beer and Wild Food Festival, Auckland City Volcanoes Challenge, NZO N-Duro Mountain Bike Race Series and the Mac Pac Tour de Tasman.

All and all, heaps of good "Reasons to get outside"!

Also worth a look is the excellent feature on Aoraki/Mt Cook and the 3D maps in the issue.

If you are keen to get your hands on the August issue of "Wilderness" then come along and enter in the Black Diamond Ohau Backcountry Blast on August 4th, the 1st 40 entry's get a free issue in their race pack!

Check out our home page-www.skimonz.com for more details.

MountainZ.co.nz/Temple Basin race clinic-14/15th July

2007-07-16T09:24:00.000+12:00

Sally Martella hiking up to Down Hill basin, with Mt Rolleston in background.

Had a great weekend at Temple Basin for the MountainZ.co.nz Ski Mountaineering Race Clinic, with sunny skies and warm weather. Unfortunately there was not more snow, but despite this there was a good turn out.

We started Saturday night after dinner with some videos on ski mountaineering races. These manly looked at transitions (taking your skins off and putting them on as fast as possible).

On Sunday morning we hiked up to Down Hill and Gena started things off with showing every one the finer points of kick turns, then we worked on transitions. After a quick break we headed up to the ridge for a look. After lunch we re grouped and it was time for every one to put there new skills to the test with a quick relay race. We divided in to 3 teams of 3 and were off. The lead changed many times in a short race, but in the end Kath, John and myself took it out. I was just grateful John gave me a nice buffer on the Russian!

A big "thank you" to Temple Basin for hosting us and Glenn from MountainZ.co.nz for supplying such great prizes! Also Gena and Jane for helping me out and to every one that turned up. I look forward to seeing you at Ohau on August 4th!

If you missed out on being at Temple, or at one of the slide shows that we did in Q'town, Wanaka and Chch, or just want to see it again, you can check out the United States Ski Mountaineering Association web site at http://www.ussma.org/ for some good videos.

Alaska April 2007

2007-06-27T09:35:00.000+12:00

This past April I made it up to the Wrangell-St Elias Mountains of Alaska with Andrew McLean and Ben Ditto. What can I say, Alaska is amazing! I had just got done with a month of Rando races so was felling good for this trip. Here's some shots.......

Check out Andrews web site-http://www.pawprince.com/trips/UTO/index.htm for the full story, including Ben's great escape!