I experienced skiing in Australia for my first time and it was great adventure. I came away with a win in race 1 and a 2nd place in race 2 behind my good mate Anton Grimus, an Australian 2014 Olympian. I am therefore combined Continental ANC Cup title holder with Anton. Australia has been treated to an amazing snow season with huge amounts of snow and I was lucky enough to experience it, in all its glory!
We battled horrendous weather during the race week; a rain storm, a snow blizzard, completed with crazy wind that well and truly challenges Mt Hutt’s! Luckily we did manage to get both the races away thanks to the efforts of the race crew.
Arriving to Mt Hotham. Drive up to Hotham amongst bush fire destroyed trees.
After the races I headed to Mt Buller with Anton to check out his home mountain, I was incredibly well looked after at the ‘Pension Grimus’ http://www.pensiongrimus.com.au/ I experienced skiing at Buller during a perfect bluebird day and fresh snow. When the skiing is good here, it is awesome and was a bonus to have the locals show you around the secret stashes!
I would like to say a huge thanks to all my Australian mates who helped me out with accommodation, hospitality and transport, greatly appreciated.
Terrain on offer at BullerSunset Beers at the top of Buller. Snowmobile accessAnton’s Rock amongst the BUSH in STRAYA.Sunset atop of Australia
Back in New Zealand I raced in the ‘King of Coronet’ Chinese downhill race at Coronet Peak last weekend and was pumped to come away with the win! The race starts off as a mass start with a run sprint in ski boots down hill and then back up to the start, into your skis and first to the bottom wins. After being briefed in the start that there are no rules it was all on! I was fast in the sprint and then held off everyone in the skiing to take the win and the sweet prices.
Check out my crown. King of Coronet.
Geoff and I. He is a long time supporter of both me and skiing in NZ.
Nick and I giving Willis some air on a stunning Queenstown morning.