Winter Games 2011 Bigger, Better, LongerThis year's Winter Games, which start on 13AUG, will be bigger, better and longer than last time, organisers say. An expanded 16-day programme is expected to attract about 1000 elite athletes to the Southern Alps during the northern hemisphere summer. Wellington-based Winter Games chief executive Arthur Klap, in Queenstown for pre-games meetings, told the Southland Times the inaugural 2009 games taught organisers a great deal. Mr Klap said Coronet Peak, Snow Park, Snow Farm and Cardrona were great venues but organisers were keen to include Queenstown and Wanaka downtown communities this year. Bringing Mt Hutt into the mix meant Canterbury operators were on board and the skifield boasted super giant slalom capability, he said. Award ceremonies will be held downtown in Queenstown and Wanaka this year and television production shot in-house before being transmitted on Sky. Although New Zealand could not compete as a snow sports destination with northern hemisphere resorts, the Winter Games offered training, competition and exposure, he said. “We have good quality snow and a relaxed environment out-of-season.” The key to the success of future games was attracting casual visitors and snow sports enthusiasts. This year, organisers want to attract 1700 Australian visitors and up to 2000 people from the North Island. Winter Games 2011 chairman Sir Eion Edgar, of Queenstown, said Winter Games' organisers also wanted to increase the number of apres-ski activities for competitors. |
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