The 86th Edition of the Balmain Cup raced under perfect conditions

Published Tue 03 Sep 2019

With plenty of snow and sunny weather, the 86^th running of the Balmain Cup was held in perfect conditions last weekend at Perisher.

Skiers and Snowboarders young and old talk of the Balmain Cup with affection. The Balmain Cup is the oldest interclub snowsports competition in Australia, which was first held in 1933.

It is a friendly but hard-fought meeting of skiers and snowboarders that are members of clubs in Guthega and Perisher.

The cup was donated in 1936 by the Balmain brothers, who, in those days, ran a bus service in the Snowy Mountains.. The Balmain bothers involvement in the event ended long ago – but their cup goes on.

Back in the pre-lift days, the race was held at such places as Mt Franklin, Cabramurra and Kiandra. When races completed a run, they climbed to the top again with skins on their skis. Today’s competitors would not consider racing under such primitive conditions! The Balmain Cup has been modernised but has always had the element of multiple events being contested, which used to include a ski jump competition.

Today’s event consists of a slalom, giant slalom, snowboard giant slalom and cross-country race all held on the one day. Each club can enter six racers in each discipline, with the best four times taken in each discipline to determine the overall club winner. Modern rules allow clubs to use their best overall times of three out of the four disciplines for the club standings.

This year, Guthega Ski Club won the Balmain Cup with a team that performed well in the alpine and cross-country events.

In addition to the Balmain Cup, the George Dudzinski Cup is awarded to the club member with the best combined performance over three out of the four disciplines. This year, a record 18 participants took part in the George Dudzinski Cup, with the winner being Rupert Winkler of Guthega Ski Club. Alina McMaster of Cooma Ski Club took out the best female performance amongst the standings.

Rupert Winkler in the Slalom

The participating clubs take it in turn to host post-race celebrations. Tate Ski Club was the host this year and served up a delicious meal for the other participating club members and supporters at their lodge.

The Balmain Cup has been historically run by competing clubs, club associations the Southern District Ski Federation, SnowSports ACT, and now Ski & Snowboard Australia.

The standard of skiing and snowboarding has always been very high and some of the top skiers and snowboarders in the Balmain Cup have represented Australia in the Winter Olympics. This year, up and comer Valentino Guseli of Canberra Alpine Club and Winter Olympic Silver Medallist Jarryd Hughes of Brindabella Ski Club, had a close battle in the Snowboard GS.

Discipline Winners

Slalom – Rupert Winkler, Guthega Ski Club

Giant Slalom - Rupert Winkler, Guthega Ski Club

Snowboard GS - Valentino Guseli, Canberra Alpine Club

Cross Country – Dave Arens, Cooma Ski Club

Balmain Cup Club Standings