Dynastar Ski Masters Finals At Cardrona

A huge field of 108 Masters skiers gathered at Cardrona Alpine Resort this weekend for the Dynastar Masters Nationals. With athletes from all over New Zealand as well as Australia and Canada, competition was fierce as they took on the final GS and Super GS races of the season to decide the overall national titles.

Saturday saw two technically challenging giant slalom courses test the athletes. Fiona Stevens (43) from Auckland set a very high standard to beat in the first run, clocking the third fastest time overall and the fastest women’s time. However, a crash in the second run saw her knocked off the top spot, leaving the way open for Deanie Johnstone (46) from Queenstown with the fastest combined time of 1:34.70 in the women’s GS. Two other Queenstowners, Elizabeth Wallace (58) and Paddy Strain (68), came second and third respectively with 1:36.91 and 1:37.66.

Two fast runs by Henry Busetti (64) from Ashburton saw him win the men’s GS with a time of 1:30.27. Don McInnes (55) of Queenstown was close behind him in second with 1:30.46 while Wanaka’s Nev Teat (56) took third with 1:31.57.

The paced stepped up on Sunday for the Super G with another victory for Henry Busetti with a time of 47.38. Walter Unterberger (67) of Richmond was close behind him in second with 49.75 and Fraser Skinner (51) took third with 50.65. In the women’s race, Paddy Strain was the fastest (53.12) followed by Deanie Johnstone. Carol Marie (60) from Canterbury came in third.

The overall National Masters Champions for 2004 were announced at the Dynastar Ski Masters Awards Dinner in Wanaka on Saturday night. Fiona Stevens took out the women’s title with consistently high placings throughout the season. Walter Unterberger successfully defended his title in the men’s.

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