Regional Update - NSW / ACT / QLD - December 11, 2019
Published Wed 11 Dec 2019
All the latest on and off snow news for Snow Australia’s NSW, ACT and QLD members.
This is the last edition for 2019, so we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you for more Snow News in 2020.
FREESTYLE NEWS
The Tankard Fundraising for the Judging Tower is Back
The Judging Tower project for Toppa's Dream has received development consent and a green light for construction. Many thanks to Jon Garling for his generous support of the project and also everyone who purchased fundraising tankards last year.
Due to popular demand, there will be one last opportunity to order your own personalised tankard in support of the Judging Tower project for NSW ACT Freestyle. These hand made, embossed, and uniquely freestyle mugs have become a great collector’s item. The bespoke tankard will be crafted by hand in England using traditional techniques and materials and sized to hold a full pint. Each Tankard will come with your name and an individual number embossed.
All money raised from this initiative will go towards building our new Judging Tower at the bottom of Toppa's Dream. The new facility will be World Cup standard, with fully enclosed, heated accommodation for 14 officials. It will also have a roof top viewing platform, storage and change room facilities.
If you already have a tankard then buy a few more as Christmas presents!
CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
2020 Nordic Shelter and Perisher XC Trails Work Parties - New Initiatives
Two new new initiatives are being introduced to the Perisher XC summer work parties. They are intended to support the way we practice good minimal impact in our National Parks, and to assist with research in Snow-gum die-back in the Kosciusko National Park.
Combat the introduction of weeds and pests
Boot hygiene kits will be available in the Nordic Shelter for cleaning footwear to use before and after any trail maintenance work, and generally working around the Nordic Shelter. The basic idea is to: Check, Clean, Disinfect and Dry Footwear. This simple DIY process will help minimise the spread of weeds and other pests we may unwittingly bring into the area with us. A few other ways to avoid bringing in and moving weeds around are to wear sock protectors or gaiters, and to remove all soil, plant material and other debris from your car interior (areas around the cabin floor e.g. floor mats and pedals) using a vacuum, or dustpan and brush.
Help Track Snow-Gum Die-back
Many of you will have read the recent reports of Snow-gum die-back in the Kosciuszko National Park. The vast majority of die-back is reported as being linked to impacts from the native wood-boring longicorn (or longhorn) beetle Phorocantha sp. The Longicorn beetles prefer to lay their eggs on moisture-stressed trees, and it is noted that with the reduction of rainfall and high summer temperatures Snow-gums are under much greater moisture stress than in the past (NPWS Resort Round-up Summer 2018-19).
Researchers at the ANU are currently working with limited data on snow gum die-back and they are asking the public visiting the Australian Alps to contribute to the research by reporting observations of wood-borer damage and tree decline. CLICK HERE for details on the research.
Work party attendees will be encouraged to record die-back observations as they move around the KNP using an App, or alternatively, they can upload the info onto the website. Printed materials on die-back identification will be available in the Nordic Shelter to check out before heading out on the trails.
Photos: Snow-gum die back https://biocollect.ala.org.au/
ALPINE NEWS
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM US ALL AT NSW/ACT/QLD ALPINE
The NSW/ACT/QLD Alpine Committee sends best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. May peace, love, prosperity and many snowflakes follow you always. Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you on snow in the 2020!
The NSW/ACTQLD Alpine Committee is a group of volunteers whose aim is to support the Alpine and Ski Cross community as our young athletes follow their dreams on the alpine pathway from grass roots to wherever it may take them.
We would also like to thank the team at Snow Australia who provide us with so much support and assistance throughout the year.
Photo (l to r):
Suzanne Adams (Chair), Meagan Cutcliffe (PR/Media), Kemble Cowan (Photographer/video and more), Graham Selig, Kim Selig (Treasurer), Rebecca Clark (Snow Australia National Alpine and Pathway Coordinator), Katie Dowling (Fundraising). Absent: Kim Wheatley (Secretary), Marcus McAdam
Photo credit: John Adams
NSW/ACT/QLD ALPINE & SKI CROSS UPDATE
Whistler Cup Carnival U14 Expression of Interest
The EOI has now closed for the Whistler Cup Carnival U14’s and we hope to have the final list of participants confirmed by end of December.
Save the date 2020
Sunday July 5 – NSW/ACT/QLD Alpine Welcome to Winter, Candlelight Lodge, Thredbo
Saturday, October 24 – NSW/ACT/QLD Awards Night, Cammeray Golf Club
FIS Race Update
Another busy week for our Alpine and Ski Cross athletes around the world with races in Norway, Canada, Italy, USA, Sweden, France and Canada. With so many races and great results, check the FIS website for the latest results of your favourite athletes.
Nov 30 - Dec 03- Mont Edouard Canada GS – Thomas Hoffman, Finn Bowes
Nov 30 – Dec 03 – Pfelders and Santa Caterina Valfurva, Italy - GS/SL – Zali Sutton
Dec 2/3 - Copper Mt, USA - SG – Amelia Jones, Henry Heaydon
Dec 5/6 – Ramundberget and Funasdalen, Sweden – GS/SL – Jack Adams, Theo Coates, Hugh McAdam, Warwick Crawford, Connor Leggett
Dec 5/7 - Pila, Italy – GS/SG – Mitchell Riley
Dec 7/8 – Sunday River Resort, USA – SL – Lucy, Neil, Sammie Gaul, Penelope Hughes, Sophie Mahon, Thomas Hoffman, Finn Bowes, Nicholas Szuba
Dec 4/7 – Wanlong Ski Resorts GS/SL – Rebecca Brown and Zoe Spanos
Dec 10/11 – Taiwoo Ski Resorts CHN – GS - Rebecca Brown
Dec 5/7 – World Cup Val Thorens, France – Sami Kennedy-Sim (10th and 14th), Anton Grimus (49th), Doug Crawford (57th)
Dec 3/4 - Canyon Ski Resort, Canada – Jesse Quinn
Good luck to all our athletes for their next round of races.
Please send us updates/results/info to nswalpine@live.com so we can keep the community up to date on the wonderful achievements and hard work of our alpine and ski cross athletes.
Help us support our athletes with programs, grants and scholarships by visiting our fundraising page
NSW/ACT/QLD (Northern) Alpine Committee
Instagram: nsw_act_qld_alpine
