After two months training in heavy rain, ice, wind and blizzard-like conditions, the St Paul’s ski team was well prepared to face the Waikato Secondary School Ski Championships on August 30.
Our 18 skiers took to the Turoa Ski Field for the challenging banked slalom course that saw each skier complete two runs.
With over 60 boys and 50 girls competing from secondary schools across the Waikato, it was a long day of racing in heavy rain and snow, with limited visibility.
The St Paul’s ski team excelled in their commitment and effort with Henry Mandeno (Year 13) placing first in the boys’ banked slalom event.
Callum Shepherd (Year 13) placed fifth and Lachlan Coleman (Year 12), sixth – to see three of our skiers place in the top ten of the boys' competition.
Other notable successes included Frankie Smith (Year 11) who was the seventh fastest girl on the mountain and Sam Ladbrook (Year 9) who put in the tenth fastest run.
The team is now training hard for the North Island Secondary School Ski Championships in the last week of term.
