Images:Skycity Hosts All Blacks Action In Build Up

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Friday 17 June 2005

Skycity Hosts All Blacks Action In Build Up
To DHL New Zealand Lions Series

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Graham Henry in the window cleaning unit attached to the side of Sky Tower provides motivational support to sponsors abseiling or jumping off Sky Tower.

Abseiling down the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest structure, leaping off it and climbing to the top of Sky Tower, were all part of an All Blacks team building afternoon, held at SKYCITY yesterday, Thursday 16 June 2005.

With the first Lions versus All Blacks match looming, the entire All Blacks squad took time out of their hectic training schedule to spend the afternoon motivating their sponsors and management who embarked on a range of physical challenges that put them all to the test.

All Blacks Manager Darren Shand was among four people who abseiled successfully down Sky Tower with assistance from Graham Henry, who was standing high up in the open air inside the mobile window cleaning unit, attached to the side of Sky Tower.

Sponsors and members of the All Blacks management team were challenged to their choice of abseiling down Sky Tower, jumping off Sky Tower, climbing up the internal mast ladder to the open air viewing deck 300 metres above sea level and 44 metres above the highest public viewing deck (All Blacks Doug Howlett, Keven Mealamu and Richie McCaw did participate in the Vertigo Climb) or running up the 1029 stairs inside Sky Tower to reach the main observation deck.

Shand says New Zealand’s national rugby team has a big challenge ahead of it and that yesterday’s activities were an appropriate way for the All Blacks squad to spend time with their sponsors.

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Below - Ali Williams throws Sanitarium's Rob Bowring off the Sky Tower

“The adventure offerings scheduled at Sky Tower yesterday were a big challenge just as the DHL New Zealand Lions Series is a massive challenge for our team,” he says.

Following the day’s physical adventure activities, select members were also offered a complimentary luxury spa treatment from the new East Day Spa, located within the new five-star SKYCITY Grand Hotel.

As in the past, for major rugby test matches, Sky Tower will show its support for the national team by blacking out the tower for every All Blacks versus Lions test match. SKYCITY’S bars and restaurants will also feature every game on the giant screens on site with special “Blackout” parties and promotional offers for fans.

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Below - Doug Howlett, Richie McCaw and Keven Mealamu take on the Vertigo Climb

ENDS

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