Otaihape Alpine Club

Saturday 17 September dawned foggy and snowy – not ideal conditions for the annual OAC races. This forced the planned course in the Valley to be abandoned in favour of the more sheltered slopes outside the club.

Hayden Muter.

Race poles were hauled out of the ceiling and Blair Muter set a challenging course between Ski Racers’, Iwikau and Victoria clubs.

 With Anita and Grace Muter absent the Muter skiing dynasty was broken, although Blair took out senior men’s skiing. Thomas Hart was a close second and is a serious contender for top spot next year. Thomas Hawkins took out the junior boys’ skiing in a close finish with Hayden Muter.

No mistakes here (L-R) Hayden Muter, Blair Muter, Yvonne Holcombe, Neil Ranford.

 Ashton Dempsey won the senior men’s snowboarding and Shea Holcombe the junior boys’. President Yvonne Holcombe took out the senior women’s skiing.

 To everyone’s surprise and delight the weather cleared to nearly perfect conditions complete with a good 20cm of new snow. Some great runs were had on the ridges above McKenzie’s Mistake and Tenants Valley.

 The post-race dinner was a cracker – thanks to the Dempsey crew for the delicious pork roast (complete with cracking and apple sauce) and Blair and Hayden Muter for the spectacular “Bombe Ruapehu” (complete with flaming Contrieau).

Blair's Bombe Ruapehu.

Thanks to the participants and organisers. Look forward to a repeat performance next year.

 Jude, Club Captain.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 18th, 2011 at 9:04 am and is filed under Hut Talk, Skiing, Snowboarding.

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