Last week’s snowfall (90cm) couldn’t have been timed better for competitors in the Landrover Mt Hutt Masters Open Masters Ski Race (30 years plus) which kicks off this Friday, 1 August. Mt Hutt Race and Events Manager Richard Murphy said there was an air of excitement surrounding this year’s event with over 100 competitors taking part in three disciplines; the Super G, Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom.

“This is a great event that attracts athletes from all over the world,” he said. “In previous years we’ve had racers from Canada, USA, Japan, Australia and the UK and we’re looking forward to seeing many familiar faces this year.”

The Super G starts on Friday morning followed by the Slalom in the afternoon and the Giant Slalom on Saturday.

The Super G start gate will be high on the slopes on Virgin Mile Road and Mr Murphy believes that even the fittest will be tired after skiing a vertical drop of 450m.

“On the Saturday we finish with two runs of the Giant Slalom from Tower 14 on the Summit,” he said. “This will be a 40 plus gate race and even the top Master racers such as Kate Rattray and Walter Unterberger will be tested.”

Training for the event started on Tuesday (29 July) and continues throughout the week in preparation for a weekend of top racing.

“This event proves a fun weekend with a competitive atmosphere on the snow mixed with some great social interaction after the racing is over,” said Mr Murphy.

Landrover and Mt Hutt are the major sponsors of the event. Other sponsors include Brandex (Atomic), Lindauer Special Reserve, Export Gold, Gravity Sports (Volkl), The National Bank, Southern Finance, Wombats, Harvey Cameron, Nevada Sport (Merrell and Patagonia), Emuology, Waiwera Infinity Water, Victoria Ski Sport, Cookie Time, Mag, Turbo Warehouse (Christchurch) and Orbit Corporate Travel.