wanaka sun 15 - 21 january 2015

inside:

page 13

sunviews

Road safety measures in gorgePosts are being installed on the centreline of a section of the Kawarau Gorge road to help prevent drivers from crossing the centre line. page 9

Wanaka Police will continue to have a senior sergeant after a proposal to transfer the town’s highest-ranked officer to Queenstown was abandoned. page 2

Thur 15.01.15 - wed 21.01.15 wanaka’s independenT newspaper

Wanaka to keep senior sergeant

Caroline Harker

Wanaka Sun

Whether 4000sqm (one acre) rural residential sections at the back of Lake Hawea township will be able to be subdivided in the future was a contentious topic at the Hawea Community Association’s public meeting on Saturday (January 10).

A resident of the area, Gaye Robertson, led a workshop of 25 people discussing the issue. “One group had bought their sections expecting to remain in a rural setting

with large gardens and no street lights,” she said. “Others bought in thinking they would be able to subdivide at a later date. People are not clear about the zoning and there is a great lack of clarity.” The area in question is bordered by Cemetery Road on the south side, Muir Road on the east and includes Lichen Lane, Sam John Place and Grandview Road.

Councillor Ella Lawton, who attended the meeting, said while long-term residents generally believed the town would grow southwards into the area under discussion (as per the 2020 discussions held in 2003), many

newer residents were not aware of this. “People at the meeting wanted a clear understanding of what will happen in the future,” she said. Queenstown Lakes District Council District Plan review manager, Matthew Paetz, who attended the meeting, told the Wanaka Sun there is currently a minimum section size of 4000sqm in the area, so sections of that size cannot be further subdivided under the current District Plan.

“The Hawea Community Plan 2003 signalled a desire to provide for subdivision in this area via an expansion of the Township Zone,” he

said. “This matter will be considered further through the District Plan review where a full range of considerations (including infrastructure and urban design) will be taken into account. Any proposed change to the zoning will be subject to public notification and a hearings process.”

There was record attendance at the annual January meeting, indicating residents were concerned about the future of Hawea and wanted to be involved in any decision-making, Deputy Mayor Lyal Cocks said.

Hawea discusses future at meeting

Bull rider, Darryn Bird, is pictured competing at the Wanaka Rodeo last Friday. Story page 16.

PHOTO: RuTH BOlgeR

page 2

New officer

page 3

Check, clean and dry

page 4

Top award

page 16

Duathlon kicks off

Story continues page 2...

According to Wanaka Yacht Club commodore Quentin Smith this years regatta was “just magic”. Story page 11

Thursday 15.01.15 - wednesday 21.01.15page 2

sunnews

PHOTO: SuPPlied

Staff Reporter

Wanaka Sun

Staff Reporter

Wanaka Sun

Maddy Harker

Wanaka Sun

Professional skipper Craig Blake has been employed as the fulltime deputy harbourmaster for Lake Wanaka, patrolling Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea and all the associated rivers. The Queenstown Lakes District Council has employed Craig fulltime until the end of April this year. In the past, he has been employed as a short-term contractor.

Craig said the change to fulltime was made because of the increasing popularity of the lakes, requiring a more hands-on approach to keeping water sports safe. He said further monitoring of the lakes was “absolutely” necessary, as “it’s a busy little place we’ve got here now.”

The speed limit within 200m of the shore is five knots and it is compulsory to wear a lifejacket in any boat smaller than 6m. For boat safety regulations and tips, visit the Queenstown Lakes District Council website. You can also download the council’s boating guide which is designed specifically for Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.

Fulltime water patrol

The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s horticultural team has been spot-spraying weeds in public gardens around Wanaka this week. They have signs up when working and are on the job from 6am until 10am. They are using Glyphosate (more commonly known as Round-up). The work is expected to be finished tomorrow (Friday).

inbriefQldC weed control

There’s a new police officer on the beat in Wanaka.Originally from North Canterbury, Constable Deane

Harbison has transferred south from Greymouth, where he spent four years in his first policing role.

On the West Coast, Constable Harbison, 39, was also in a search and rescue squad and was a rescue helicopter crewman. He is interested in becoming involved with Wanaka’s Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) team.

He enjoys mountain-biking, snowboarding and has dabbled in multi-sport, having completed the Coast to Coast as part of a team last year.

Moving to Wanaka had been planned for some time, Constable Harbison said.

Dogs can be destroyed where they are found to have attacked other animals or people.

Queenstown Lakes District Council has issued that warning following the conviction of a woman in the Queenstown District Court yesterday on two charges laid under the Dog Control Act. Her dog attacked another dog at Frankton beach in May 2014. She has been remanded for sentence in April.

Regulatory manager Lee Webster said prosecutions such as this were regrettable but entirely preventable.

“Our primary goal is to educate not prosecute dog owners about their responsibilities, but we won’t hesitate to take strong action to protect residents and their pets or livestock. Public safety is the number one priority, and dog owners need to have their dogs under control at all times,” he said.

He encouraged the public to call the council whenever they see wandering or aggressive dogs, and said that animal control staff would respond swiftly.

“We have a much better chance of catching the dogs and identifying their owners if we hear about incidents when they happen.”

Wanaka Police will continue to have a senior sergeant after a proposal to transfer the town’s highest-ranked officer to Queenstown was abandoned.

In November the police proposed transferring Wanaka’s only senior sergeant, Allan Grindell, to Queenstown, replacing him with two lower-ranked sergeants, one in a response role who would manage the public safety team, and another in a crime prevention role.

The police said at the time Snr Sgt Grindell’s responsibilities included being a crime prevention manager for the entire Otago Rural area, which included Wanaka, Queenstown, and Alexandra, and the position needed to be based in Queenstown due to the resort’s high residential and tourism growth.

The plan drew criticism from several sectors of the community.

Wanaka to keep its senior sergeant

new officer on the beat

Council warning over dogs

Continued from page 1...

The main item on the agenda was the QLDC’s District Plan review. Topics up for discussion ranged from the rapid growth of the area and town boundaries, to the proposed changes to the rural zone rules.

HCA chair Dennis Hughes said the meeting was the first one he had seen where farmers turned up “en masse.”

Farmer Richard Burdon said farmers are unhappy about increasing compliance costs over the last 15 years. “Farmers want to know what the process is going to be, what are permitted activities and what are controlled,” he said. “Planners are trying to improve some of these rules. We’re keen to understand what effect these changes will have.”

Matthew Paetz said a number of significant changes to the rural chapter of the District Plan have been proposed. “We are sympathetic to the views of farmers and agree the current District Plan is too restrictive in some areas,” he said. “Recognising farming (and changing farming practices), and balancing these with wider amenity, landscape and environmental considerations, is a key objective of the District Plan review.”

Dennis said the meeting was a great success with people listening carefully to other points of view and reaching consensus on many topics, such as the need for clear town boundaries and protecting high quality farmland from urban sprawl. The HCA will use the information gathered to submit on the proposed changes to the District Plan.


Following feedback from about 20 police staff and community leaders, relieving Otago Rural area commander, Inspector Olaf Jensen, announced this week the senior sergeant position would remain in Wanaka.

The police had decided that while resources needed to be better shared in the Otago Rural area, “local police will be better placed and supported to deliver on our policing priorities of ensuring that people in our communities not only feel safe but are safe.”

The changes, which will come into effect on February 1, will include a community constable position in Wanaka, which is currently vacant, being replaced with a similar position which covers the entire Wakatipu basin, and the road policing sergeant in Wanaka becoming a crime prevention sergeant whose responsibilities include road policing.

The Otago Rural police headquarters will move from Alexandra to Queenstown, and an area crime prevention manager position will be established in Queenstown, along with another two public safety constables.

At the Alexandra station, the Central Otago youth and community sergeant will become a crime prevention sergeant and a currently vacant enquiry constable role will be disestablished.

Inspector Olaf Jensen said, overall, the number of police in the Otago Rural area would not change.

Thursday 15.01.15 - wednesday 21.01.15 page 3

sunnews

PHOTO: Nikki HeaTH

PHOTO: SuPPliedStaff Reporter

Wanaka Sun

A near-miss involving three private jetboats on the east branch of the Matukituki R i v e r h a s h i g h l i g h t e d t h e n e e d f o r b o a t i e s t o f o l l o w r u l e s a n d p r o t o c o l s . Last Monday the drivers of three private jetboats ignored warnings – both verbal and written – to contact Wanaka River Journeys, which is licensed to operatein the area, before boating on the river.

Wanaka River Journeys was forced to make an emergency stop when it encountered the boats. The east branch of the Matukituki River is both narrow and difficult and boaties are expected to both contact Wanaka River Journeys before boating in the area and to monitor radio channel marine 66 when on the water.

Harbourmaster Marty Black said the drivers of the private jetboats involved were likely to be issued with fines.

Wanaka River Journeys is owned and operated by Sue and Brent Pihama. “All we ask is for communication from private jetboaters to establish clear intentions for the east branch of the river,” Sue said. “The east branch is an area of narrow rocky channels with very poor sightlines and it is imperative that we have communication so we can co-ordinate safe entry and exit from this branch of the river.”

The east branch is also used by kayakers and school groups and Sue encourages them to also contact Wanaka River Journeys so information can be shared on to ensure the safety of all river users.

Communication essential on Matukituki

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) is continuing to advise river and lake users to check, clean and dry their clothing and equipment when moving from one waterway to another, to eliminate or reduce the spread of freshwater pests.

ORC environmental operations and monitoring director, Jeff Donaldson, said the council’s aim was to make people more aware of the dangers posed by the spread of the two major freshwater pests currently in Otago - didymo and lagarosiphon - and encourage them to do the right thing to reduce the problem.

“Cleaning wet equipment before you travel from one waterway to another is important, just because you may not be able to see it, that doesn’t mean it isn’t there in microscopic form,” Jeff said.

University student Stephanie Dwyer (pictured) is spreading ORC’s message to “check, clean and dry” around

Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra and Queenstown. The 20-year-old, who is studying toward a Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning at Lincoln University, has been talking to water users in the area this week and will be actively campaigning until Waitangi Day.

Didymo can be spread by water being transferred from a contaminated waterway to an clean one. It can be killed by soaking equipment in a five percent solution of detergent. Lagarosiphon, found in the Clutha River catchment, can also spread rapidly.

“Left unchecked, these pests can literally choke and clog up waterways and their ecosystems and make recreational use difficult, if not impossible,” Jeff said. “So when you’re leaving a waterway, it is important that you check to see that you have no plant material attached to your boat and/or trailer, or your clothes and footwear.”

Check, clean and dryA small group of French people gathered at LOT3 on Monday in memory of the 17 people shot dead in France last week, including the Charlie Hebdo magazine staff members, a police officer and four people at a kosher supermarket.

Wanaka-based Frenchman Thierry Huet said they had a “symbolic drink” to be part of the global gathering “in the name of freedom of expression.”

On Sunday, almost four million people marched in France, including President François Hollande and 50 other heads of state, and thousands attended unity rallies in London, Washington, Montreal and Berlin.



sunnews

Jessica MaddockWanaka Sun

PHOTO: SuPPlied

Respected Wanaka helicopter pilot, Simon Spencer-Bower, has been recognised internationally for his contribution to the industry.

Simon has won the Flight Instructor of the Year Award – called the W.A. “Dub” Blessing Award – at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Salute to Excellence Awards.

The award “recognises superlative contributions by a helicopter flight instructor in upholding high standards of excellence.”

It is only the third time a New Zealander, or a New Zealand organisation, has been recognised at the annual HAI awards ceremony since 2002.

Simon, who owns Wanaka Helicopters, was advised of his success last week and will receive the award in Orlando, Florida, on March 4.

Simon, pictured, has won several national awards – including a Queen’s Service Medal in 2009 for services to aviation – and this is his first international award.

While the award recognises lifelong achievement and contribution to the industry, one of Simon’s recent successes is the establishment of a mountain flying course.

The “Advanced Helicopter Mountain Flying Course,” which involves ten hours of flying in the southern mountains plus on-the-ground-study, is recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which can require pilots to complete the course before flying commercial

aircraft in mountainous terrain. About 20 New Zealand and overseas pilots have completed the course since it was started five years ago.

This has led to Government approval for Wanaka Helicopters to offer a Diploma in Aviation, for which eligible people can receive a student loan to complete.

The diploma course, which will cater for 12 students a year, was announced late last year and there have been 75 inquiries regarding this year’s inaugural course. Interviews of the potential students were underway, Simon said.

Only two other helicopter companies in the country are approved to run a Diploma in Aviation course – which takes up to two years – and both are in the North Island.

Wanaka Helicopters is also approved by the CAA to carry out competency tests of commercial pilots annually, as required by law, and of private pilots biennially.

Simon, 66, has just over 21,000 flying hours. He became a fixed-wing aircraft pilot in 1967 and a helicopter pilot in 1980. He has lived in Wanaka for 22 years.

The other New Zealanders who have been recognised at the HAI Salute to Excellence Awards include the New Zealand Police Air Support Unit in Auckland. It won the Law Enforcement Award in 2010 for “Operation EAGLE.” The initiative, implemented on a trial basis in late 1988, used airborne police officers to combat rising crime in the city. The success of the trial led to a 21-year operation.

The only other New Zealanders to win a HAI award were the crew of Helicopter ER-MHH from Heli Harvest Ltd in Auckland, an aviation company which harvested logs, fought fires and assisted with construction work in Australasia. The crew - Alexey Ostapenko, Oleg Pazynitch, Alexander Ivlev, Senior Constable

Barry Shepherd and John Funnell - won the Humanitarian Service Award in 2006 after the members rescued six Department of Conservation workers, five of whom survived, from Raoul Island, in the Kermadec Islands, after a volcanic eruption and an earthquake.

Top award for high flyer


sunnews

Maddy HarkerWanaka Sun

The Central Otago District Council has reviewed its recycling services and decided to make changes.

It will now provide each house with a 240-litre wheelie bin for mixed recycling and a second bin of the same size for glass.

The service will also be provided to the previously-excluded areas, including Fruitlands, the Teviot Valley, Bannockburn, Pisa Moorings, Omakau, Ophir, Ranfurly and Naseby.

The bins will be collected from the roadside fortnightly.

The changes will be implemented this year and well-established by the next summer holiday season.

Central Otagorecycling changes

PHOTO: CaROliNe HaRkeR

Now in its eighth year, the Aspiring Art Prize had implemented three major changes: it was open to artists from anywhere in New Zealand (not just the South Island), the prize pool went up by $5000 to $16,000 and it featured a local guest artist – James Sumner.

James’ painting “The Rockstar Penguin” is pictured, with exhibition organiser Yeverly McCarthy and her granddaughter Gretchen, 5. Born in the United Kingdom, James travelled for 11 years and worked in more than 65 countries, before settling in Wanaka with his wife Francesca. He has a passion for wildlife and his paintings at the art prize exhibition feature a leopard, a rhino, a zebra, a lion and an elephant.

Exhibition founder and long-time sponsor, John Charrington, said the new guest artist initiative had been a great success and they would be doing it again next year. He already had some local artists in mind, he said.

Meanwhile, the nationwide factor and the increase in prize money led to a record number of entries, with 107 artists on show. This was well up on last year’s total of 67 entries.

“The standard was a lot better this year – it’s gone up another leg,” John said. “Eight years on, the prize is taken seriously by artists and we get a lot more professionals entering. “

The Aspiring Art Prize went to Claire Beynon, with Paul McLaclan the runner-up. The Best Landscape prize went to Ro Bradshaw, with Christine Lang runner-up.

Best under $1000 went to Lee Brogan and the People’s Choice went to John Toomer.

The exhibition was judged by Dr Barbara Garrie and Richard Adams and was held as a fundraiser for the Holy Family Catholic School. It finished on Tuesday.

guest artist new feature of exhibitionCaroline Harker

Wanaka Sun

inbrief


sunnews

PHOTO: dave WeTHey

crimescene

Two drivers were processed for drink-driving this week. One was fined $200 for blowing between 250mcg and 400mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The other was arrested for refusing to give a blood test and will appear in court.

Police are continuing to focus on speeding drivers. They are reminding drivers of the following rules when towing a vehicle on the open road: if it is with a rope, the speed limit is 50kph and, if towing an A-frame or a trailer, the speed limit is 90kph.

There is a total fire ban in force and the police are asking the public to call 111 if they see anything suspicious.

Fire ban, driving issues

Despite a record-breaking rush to enrol in this year’s Wanaka Autumn Arts School, there are still places available in many classes including those on writing (David Hill), photography (Dave Wethey and David Oliver), fly-tying and fishing (Mike Weddell), jewellery (David McLeod), singing (Carol Shortis) and chair-making (Richard Hare).

New tutors this year include David Oliver with a class in landscape and portrait photography. He uses natural light for portraiture and will explain how to get great expressions from sitters, and how to make them feel relaxed.

Another new tutor is Carol Shortis, a composer and musician from Wellington. Her singing class is open to anyone from shower divas to choristers, and participants can attend from one to four days, depending on what suits them.

Chair-making tutor Richard Hare has taught at the art school twice before, but not for a decade. His students will each make a bowback Windsor chair using hand tools and pre-industrial revolution techniques. They will start with a freshly felled log.

To enrol, visit the website or contact organiser Robyn Van Reenen.

New tutors at arts schoolCaroline Harker

Wanaka Sun

PHOTO: david OliveR


sunnews

Wanaka residents and visitors are being encouraged by Sovereign to take charge of their health this summer with the help of a free rash top designed to provide sun protection (SPF50) and other healthy living tools. A restored vintage ambulance, known as the Sovereign Action Unit, will visit Wanaka this weekend as part of its nationwide tour.

“[The rash tops] are the ideal companion to summer – keeping Kiwis covered while they are

enjoying the great outdoors. Rather than just telling people to be healthy, we’re giving them tools to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle,” Sovereign chief marketing and innovation officer Chris Lamers said.

“New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world. It accounts for ten percent of Sovereign’s cancer claims, which is comparable to the national average, and comprises three percent of all cancer death claims. We think

it’s time we broke the industry mould and began a movement that encourages Kiwis to take charge of their health, proactively preventing problems before they need our help fixing them.”

The Sovereign Action Unit will be located at Pembroke Park from 9am on Sunday as part of the Sovereign Tri Series.

action against skin cancer

PHOTO: SuPPlied

Staff ReporterWanaka SunConstruction of nine affordable

houses in Wanaka is set to begin, according to Wanaka developers John May and Peter Southwick. The houses will be built within the Kirimoko Park subdivision, on a 4000sqm site adjoining the Holy Family Catholic School.

“I was fed up with hearing all the talk about affordable housing and seeing an average price of $650,000 in Wanaka,” Peter said. “The dream was to build some houses for around the low $300,000 mark, however, we just can’t do this and our houses will range from $399,000 to $455,000. Whilst still relatively expensive, we see this as a good start in our desire to offer some lower-priced housing within Wanaka.”

The development is aimed at the

first and last home buyer markets and has the support of the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.

“It’s refreshing to see private developers tackling the entry level market with a genuine intention to assist first home buyers,” QLCHT executive officer, Julie Scott, said.

The trust has helped 17 households into shared-ownership or rent-saver properties in the Wanaka area - from central Wanaka through to Albert Town, Luggate and Hawea - since the programme began.

“We are expecting further developer contributions from Kirimoko Park developers over the next two to three years and will be prioritising the allocation of these funds to Wanaka households,” Julie said.

New development focus on affordable housing


sunnews

wastebusters

Gina Dempster

Isn’t it great coming back to town after a good holiday? I love the moment when you get close enough to see the mountains silhouetted against the sky. It’s as if I have fresh eyes to appreciate how beautiful Wanaka is and how lucky we are to live here.

I’m lucky that my job is relatively quiet over Christmas, because pretty much everyone else who works at Wanaka Wastebusters has been head down and thigh deep in recycling (to mix metaphors) over the holiday season. We only shut for Christmas Day, so every other day the crew has been flat out, with both the shop and the yard recording their busiest days ever.

Bis led the events recycling crew at Rhythm and Alps and found it a much more positive experience than last year. With fewer participants and better weather, the organisers worked hard to create a greener vibe and the reward was much less waste to deal with at the end.

Back at the recycling centre, the recycling drop off has been really busy. We weren’t sure how the drop-off would go when we lost the

kerbside recycling contract, because it’s a real culture shift to pay for recycling upfront. However, most people appreciate that we’ve kept the charge as low as we can (just $1 per crate). People with a houseful of visitors took the opportunity to nip down and empty the bins when they needed to, rather than wait for the kerbside pick-up.

If your visitors are like mine, a visit to Wastebusters is always high on the “to do” list. The ladies in the shop tell me they received showers of compliments about Wastebusters from out-of-towners over the holidays. Clothes and books were walking out of the shop and we even had a moment of panic that the shelves could be empty. Luckily the donations kept piling in, so the racks are full again. With such a crazy busy period, we’ve had a full turnover of stock, so it’s a great time to come treasure-hunting.

P i c t u r e d : B r u c e S h a n k s sorting some of the household recycling dropped off to Wanaka Wastebusters over the holiday season.

Christmas at Wastebusters

PHOTO: SuPPlied


The Te Kakano community-based native plant nursery is having its first working bee of the year on Saturday (January 17) from 10am until noon. Volunteers should meet at Stoney Creek to work along the beginning of the Roy’s Bay track. This will be followed by a complimentary sausage sizzle at the Rotary playground. Volunteers are advised to bring their swimsuits for a dip in the lake if the

weather is hot. The “volunteer for habitat restoration” sessions at the nursery on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings have been well-attended during the holiday period. The sessions run from 9am until noon throughout summer and both residents and visitors are welcome to attend.

Te Kakano’s first working bee

Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts can go to “the top of the world” if they sign up for Saturday’s trip through Mount Grand and Lake Hawea stations. Trip organiser Geoff Hewson said the Rowley family who farm Lake Hawea Station have called Breast Peak “the top of the world” for generations. “When you are up over 1000m, you are above worry level,” Geoff said. “Up there you can see Mount Cook

and Mount Aspiring on a clear day, and the forecast for Saturday is for fine weather.” The trip will be led by Tom Rowley. Last year 48 vehicles made the journey which, like this one, was a fundraiser for the Lake Hawea Community Centre. Visitors should bring a picnic lunch, but no dogs or barbecues.

4WD to top of the world

sunnews

Wanaka resident Sophie Blundell says more people should dial *555 when they see someone driving dangerously, like the example she photographed (above) of a driver heading south between Makarora and Hawea on Saturday afternoon. Sophie said there was a quick

response from police who pulled the driver over and issued a fine. Sophie said she was told police would contact the rental company and the driver could be ordered off the road if there were any further complaints.

Crossing the line

PHOTO: SOPHie BluNdell

PHOTO: NZTa

aaaa

Posts are being installed on the centreline of a section of the Kawarau Gorge road to help prevent drivers from crossing the centre line.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said it was installing the flexible posts (pictured) along a 400m section of Stage Highway 6 through the gorge, at

Crawford’s Hill about halfway between Cromwell and Queenstown.

The agency’s senior network manager, John Jarvis, said it was one of the “worst” areas in the gorge for drivers crossing the centre line.

“Drivers cutting corners and veering over the centreline has been an ongoing issue along the narrow and twisty Kawarau Gorge section of SH6, with Crawford’s Hill a particular ‘hotspot’ for this type of offending.”

The initiative cost $4000.“They’re a practical measure to keep

drivers on the correct side of the road. This, along with continuing police enforcement, should reduce the risk of centreline crossing on what is a challenging section of road that demands the undivided attention of drivers,”

John Jarvis said.Acting Southern District road policing

manager, Senior Sergeant Steve Larking, praised the initiative.

“This is a stretch of highway that police regularly carry out enforcement on and an area where there is an increased number of drivers who cross the centreline.

“We hope this initiative will help make this patch of road safer for all road users.”

Road safety measures in gorge

– CaROliNe HaRkeR

– CaROliNe HaRkeR


Lalaland bartender Shannon Sanderson came second at the national finals of the World Class cocktail competition with his own cocktail called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Shannon’s creation was gin-based. The other ingredients included a citrus camomile tea reduction, lemon juice, egg white and a grapefruit rhubarb dust.


sunsport

At least eight local athletes have signed up to run part of Mal Law’s High Five-0 Challenge next month. Mal will run the equivalent of 50 off-road marathons in 50 days.

Wanaka athletes joining him for one day include husband a n d w i f e Stephanie and Steve Combe, Pete Barham, Glen Thurston, Mark English and Andy Millard, w h i l e L i s a McFarlane will join him for two days and Nick Kensington for three.

Mal starts the event in Rotorua on February 7. By day 11 (Tuesday, February 17), he will be at Lake Hawea running 42km over Breast Hill, to an elevation of 1578m. The “degree of difficulty” for this leg has been classified “very hard.” Locals joining Mal for the Breast Hill day include Glen Thurston (pictured), Mark English, Pete Barham and Andy Millard. They will start at Lake Hawea and run up to the top of Breast Hill and then along farm and sheep tracks to Grandview and further south before dropping down to Hawea Flat. There are still spaces for up to seven more runners to join them.

Glen is a Wanaka volunteer firefighter who has done the Sky Tower challenge for five years. He owns a gym, so manages to do a bit of training at work, but also tries to run up a mountain at least once a

week. Glen said he specifically chose to do the High Five-0 Challenge because it is a fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation.

“It has touched my life and family, and some of my f r i e n d s t o o , ” h e s a i d . “ I t ’ s something I really believe in and want to support.” Despite all his training, Glen does not think the Breast Hill day will be easy. “We’re doing the steep part [up Breast Peak] at

the beginning, but we’ve still got quite a distance to go after that [42km in total] and after about five hours, it’s going to seem like a very long way.”

Lisa McFarlane is joining him on February 21 and 22, Stephanie Combe on February 22 (in the Pisa Range), and Steve Combe and Nick Kensington will join him in Mount Aspiring National Park to conquer Dragonfly Peak, with Nick continuing for a further two days, running over Mount Tyndall and Mount Cunningham.

Eight locals join Mal on High Five-0 Challenge

“This year’s annual Mitre 10 Roy’s Bay sailing regatta was just magic,” Wanaka Yacht Club commodore Quentin Smith said.

With perfect conditions for two of the three days, the weekend was characterised by high-quality sailing and the well-set courses ensured the best boat always won.

Dinghies, trailer-sailers, etchells and catamarans formed four “divisions” with the largest single fleet being noelex 22s. A national handicap system, based on hull type, meant “Charade,” a visiting noelex 22, was the worthy overall

winner of both the regatta and Sunday’s endurance race.

The local etchells fleet enjoyed battle after battle, but the overall winner, Grenade, owned and helmed by Mark Williams, was just that bit faster.

In the junior dinghies, Sean Dickey came out on top after battling for the lead with Nicola Sanders during the whole regatta.

While the weather in Wanaka is perfect for sailing, club training officer Craig Fahey has extended a public invitation to a free experience sailing day on January 24.

Plain sailing at regatta

PHOTO: WaNaka SuN

– CaROliNe HaRkeR


Staff Reporter

Wanaka Sun

T h e s u m m e r m o u n t a i n b i k i n g season concluded last weekend with the New Zealand National Mountainbiking Series.

The two-day event, which attracted almost 200 entrants, was the first in a series of four competitions being held around the country. Entrants had the option of competing in downhill or cross country, and they enjoyed perfect racing weather with some cloud cover and light rain.

Wanaka’s Phoebe Young was placed first in the under-17 female category after a busy Christmas training period. The fourteen-year-old Mount Aspiring College student had already won Queen of the Mountain and the overall under-15 title at the Tour de Femme le Cromwell cycle race last May, and holds the Oceania title for the under-15 age group. This year she is competing in an older age

group, the under-17 category, because, as she turns 15 in September, she is no longer eligible for the under-15 category.

Other locals also did well in the competition: Paul Wright was placed second in the under-19 males, Janus Campbell Wright was placed second in the under-15 male, Melissa Newell won the female master one category and Hamish Fraser was placed second in the male master two race. The Staufenberg brothers also took out two titles - Julius was placed first in the under-15 male and Janus was placed second in the under-17 male.

The event was held at the Cardrona Bike Park, which is the Cardrona Alpine Resort during winter. The park will officially reopen at Easter - from April 4 to 19 - following a successful trial period. The Cardrona owners plan to build several new trails in an effort to create a park which caters for all skill levels. The park attracted more than 100 riders each day during the trial period.

National mountainbiking series

There was a strong local performance at the Wanaka senior 35+ tournament last weekend.

In the A-grade doubles, Rhian Nichol and Daphne Ledgerwood won the women’s competition and Richard Anderson and John Gibson, of Christchurch, won the men’s. Richard then partnered with Jenny Chisholm to win the A-grade mixed doubles with a

9-8 tie-breaker.Penny Wilson and Joan Kindley

won the women’s 120+ grade. With a combined age of 153, Jean Stevens and Jim Todd (Otago) won the B-grade while Ian Moore and Denise Coulston (Otago) defended their 2014 mixed doubles 120+ title against Daphne Ledgerwood and Neil Sutherland (Otago).

Seniors tennis tournament

sunsport

Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick Street, Wanaka

/ WanakaPharmacy

WE DISCOVERED

How to boost skin cell performance by 10 years*

Intense moisturisation that lasts 48 hours

That you never stop innovating

Discover NEW Dr LeWinn’s Eternal Youth Day & Night Cream to leave your skin feeling and looking rejuvenated.

NEW

OPENING HOURS: 8.30AM TO 7PM 7 DAYS

Wanaka’s Braden Currie took out second place at the national half-Ironman competition in Tauranga last Saturday, giving three-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander a run for his money in a tight race to the finish. Slightly more than a minute separated the two by the end of the race, and Braden was the first Kiwi home.

Braden was placed third in last year’s competition and put extra effort into training for the 2km-swim leg in anticipation of this year’s race. This paid off as he left the water in the top four before

beginning the 90km bike section. He conserved his energy until about the 50km mark when he put in a fast ten minutes to get back to the front of the pack. In his forte, the run leg, Braden was leading until the 15km mark where he and Craig slogged it out neck-and-neck to the finish.

Braden, 26, is the 2013 and 2014 World Multisport Champion. Originally from Methven, he lives in Wanaka with his wife Sally and daughters Tara and Bella.

Braden second in TaurangaMaddy Harker

Wanaka Sun

colour & design

advertise in the

wanakasuncall 03 443 5252

PHOTO: SuPPlied


TXT MESSAGE

BOARD

TXT THE WANAKA SUNTXT THE WANAKA SUN

TXT MESSAGE

BOARD

TXT THE WANAKA SUNTXT THE WANAKA SUN

sunviews

The views expressed in The TexT board and in The

LeTTers To The ediTor are Those of The auThor aLone

and noT necessariLy Those of The wanaka sun.

issue 696 Thursday January 15, 2015

Phone: 03 443 5252 Fax: 03 443 5250 Text view: 021 0849 0001 Text classified: 022 0786 778 www.thewanakasun.co.nz

Address: 5 Gordon Road, Wanaka Postal: PO Box 697, Wanaka

Editorial manager: Ruth Bolger [email protected]: Jessica Maddock [email protected]

Caroline Harker [email protected] Production: Damian Foster [email protected]

Advertising: Jake Kilby [email protected] Julius [email protected]

Accounts: [email protected]

Free delivery to Wanaka, Wanaka surrounds and Cromwell urban and rural mailboxes, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wanaka, Albert Town, Hawea. Distributed to motels, hotels and cafes plus businesses in the

Wanaka central business district and to drop boxes in Wanaka and Cromwell.

Hawea residents turned out in their hundreds on a hot summer’s Saturday morning to discuss the future of their town. There was a wide variety of views at the meeting, but people listened to one another and remained calm in the face of some very disparate views. Their opinions will be put forward to the council, debated again and again, with plenty of public consultation - for those who are interested - and probably decisions will be made with the best intentions of most of those involved. How lucky we are. Communication and the right to express thoughts and ideas, without danger, is a wonderful thing. Spare a thought for the journalists and others murdered this week in France because someone did not like their views, or the views of those they worked for or were trying to protect.And spare a thought for the ordinary Muslims throughout the world, who are persecuted on a daily basis, due to the actions of a very small group of extremists, who claim to worship in the same faith as them. And use that same concern, to listen to your neighbour, and hear what they have to say.

WRITE TO THE EDITORemail your letter of 200 words or less to:

[email protected]

ediTorial

Big THuMBS dOWN TO THe Middle aged guy iN THe WHiTe RaNge ROveR aT PeTROl STaTiON WHO HONked Rudely aT aN eldeRly geNTleMaN FOR BeiNg a BiT SlOW. SHaMe ON yOu...yOu’ll Be Old ONe day TOO!

Te aNau HaS STRiPeS PaiNTed ON THeiR HuMPS WORkS Well

SuNday CyCle RaCe BeTWeeN TaRRaS & luggaTe. RideRS all OveR ROad iN BuSy TRaFFiC NOT SiNgle File!. ONe SWeRved iN FRONT OF MOTORBike WHO Had TO gO iNTO RigHT laNe NaRROWly MiSSiNg ONCOMiNg CaMPeR vaN. aNOTHeR CaReleSSly THReW liTTeR iNTO THe veRge. WHy NOT CyCle RaCe aT 5aM? avOid THe HeaT & TRaFFiC. SaFeR FOR eveRyONe!

HaPPy BiRTHday SiMMie, We lOve yOu xxx

This bird kept us company while waterskiing and picnicking near Stevenson’s Inlet on Wednesday. We thought it must be ill or injured as it didn’t seem able to fly. It was there the next day and other people were looking at it.

It was a beautiful bird. Have other readers seen it too?

Yours sincerelyWalker and Dixon families

injured bird?


20 word limit - deadline Tuesday 4pm standard network rates apply

02 20 786 77802 20 786 778For FREE listing text your advert toFor FREE listing text your advert to

sunclassifiedsemployment

to let

colour & design

advertise in the...

wanakasun call 03 443 5252

To Let:Albert Town, Unfurnished modern 3 Bedroom, sunny & private family home, 1 bathroom, 1 ensuite, log burner, single garage, large fenced section. Long Term.

Phone: 021 432 517 or 021 232 0087

body & mindJoin wanaka taekwondo club for be fit be healthy and get more confident. all age welcome .new year offer for new comer. contact: 02040152714 lax facebook.com/wanakataekwondoclub

kyokushin karaTe WaNaka. adults and Senior Mac Students. Class resumes 7pm Feb 3rd. New stu-dents welcome. Check our fb page for details. www.kyokushinnz.co.nz

kyokushin karaTe WaNaka. New junior beginners class for 2015 commences 3rd February. Check our fb page for details. www.kyokushinnz.co.nz

lyMphaTic clearance: Support immune system, relieve lymphoedema, swelling, pain. Cleanse. gentle relaxing therapeutic treatment. Mon - Fri. Ph Maryann 03 4436463, 021 1101160

Mobile personal training, get some friends togeth-er and try a group session. Call Carla 02102419317 (first session free).

relaX wiTh lOMi lOMi MaSSage: Therapeutic Hawaiian - calming, flowing, nurturing. Peaceful sur-roundings Mon-Fri. Ph Maryann 03 4436463, 021 1101160 aloha!

siTnarong Muay Thai Boxing Classes Tuesday Thursday at 6:00pm. 9 Cliff Wilson St upstairs. Beginners welcome. Contact Sanna 0212010954.

hoT Qigong at Hot yoga Fusion. Come and enjoy deep relaxation for body and mind rejuvenation. Friday 7.15pm. Contact: James 027 528 0396 [email protected]

for salebaby love Car Seat Front or Rear Facing $20. also Booster Seat $20. Ph txt 027 3066120

beauTiful black sequined flapper dress worn once. Size 10 $30.00 call 034452423

double bed (Sleepyhead) in good condition $100. 2 wooden (cream) bedside tables $50 the pair. Ph 0274335566

eye-caTching 2004 Smart ForTwo Passion. 61,000k. WOF april 2015. Tiptronic. a/C. Heated leather seats. $6,750. 4435779 / 0273623312

fisher and Paykel fridge freezer white. excellent con-dition $250.00 call 034452323

fisher paylel Paprika Free Standing Oven with brand new door Seals good working order. Have changed to gas $160 ono ph txt 027 3066120

2014 spriTe, 6 berth, ideal family twin axle caravan, back bathroom, fixed bed, all the latest gear, awning, Ph 0800288622

2006 lunar lexon, island bed twin axle caravan, 4 berth, shower, toilet, awning, full oven, Ph 0800288622

2008 fleeTwood, 6 berth, club lounge, fixed bed, side dinette, awning, shower etc Ph 0800288622

2009 bailey Pageant, twin axle, fixed bed, 4 berth, big back bathroom, very classy finish, full awning, Ph 0800288622

for sale large older model chest freezer. Phone 034438288

for sale-huggies dry Nites PJ Pants or Pull ups Boys Jnr $5 Pkt or 3 Pkts $10 make life easy Ph Txt debs 0273066120

freesTanding book case. Pine dark stained 2mts x 74cm good condition 5 shelves. $30.00 call 034452323

fun fun fun! Come try the original Surly Fatbike. Rent or demo. good Rotations, 34 anderson rd, Wanaka, www.goodrotations.co, 034434349.

huggies nappies Junior Boys 16kg plus 16 per pkt. 3 Pkts $10 Bargain Ph Txt 027 3066120

lasT seaTs! gibbston valley Summer Concert Transport. Only 40pp return. visit www.centralbus.co.nz/events to book. Hurry!

lavender for Sale. $10 lovely big bunch. lake Hawea. 4436242

lekkie suMMiT motor kit selling quick! Want to elec-trify your bicycle? Come and see us! good Rotations, www.goodrotations.co, 034434349.

naish & Mistral standup paddle boards in stock now! Call Miles @ alpine SuP 021 1858001

need a paddle or a leash for your standup paddle board? Call alpine SuP 021 1858001

QualiTy elecTric-bikes & beautiful classic bicy-cles at good Rotations, 34 anderson, Wanaka. www.goodrotations.co, 034434349.

subaru iMpreza 1.5 fuel injected. 2002, 83,000 km . great condition. $8,000 ono.Phone 0274735102.

freecliMbing wall. 2mx3m home made. Free to come and collect from central Wanaka. O210691967

free budgeT adviCe available at Community Networks by appointment. Call 4437799 or email [email protected]

free swarM collection service. Ph 0211633811

give away Tv Phillips and cabinet. Ph 0274335566

wheels To duNSTaN:Free daily transport to dunstan Hospital & alexandra specialist appointments. also con-nects to dunedin Hospital transport. For bookings call 4437799

noticesbusiness neTworking international. The Wanaka chapter of BNi meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Rudy for information 027 703 4037

coMe Join us. volunteers required by the Salvation army Family Store in Wanaka. Please enquire at our store or phone 03 443 5068

donaTions kindly received. Please drop into the store or for larger items phone the Salvation army Family Store on 03 443 5068

Massage in Wanaka wishes you a healthy happy new year looking after you in 2015. www.massageinwanaka.co.nz. Ph 034438448.

Thank you to those who stopped to help after the accident between my Motorbike and a landrover on anderson Road Sunday 4/1/15. if anyone witnessed the accident? Please call 4431619 or 021448452. Thank you

Three chairs Hair Salon. Fully qualified stylist Stephanie Jackson has joined the team. Phone 4435898

wanaka salvaTion army Family Store Opening Hours - Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

who’s been to archangel or Bannock Brae? There are lots of fabulous local wine stories that we want to share with you! www.wanakawinetours.com WiNeTRail (946387)

rentfor renT - 1 bedroom flat in albertown fully furnished, suit single person or couple $250pw inc power contact 0279367679

servicesvasecToMys available here in Wanaka with dr Simon Brebner at aspiring Medical Centre. Ph 443 0725 for an appointment to discuss.

ayurveda Massage or another ayurvedic treatment: a unique experience of self healing and relaxation. Call Martin 443 5712. www.ayurvedaora.com

carpeT cleaning. don’t try it yourself. Call the ex-perts first. We’ll take care of it. Jae Services Wanaka 4431150

coMposT ToileT system for emergency management or everyday use. Ph greg on 0211633811

driving lessons available. Call Nicky at aspiring drivers to book your lesson for professional driving in-struction. 0210607310

giganTic bubbles, Bazzilions of Bubbles, Bubble workshops, Catch-a-Bubble or get inside one! For parties, events, celebrations of all ages! Call/text 021 400857

inland revenue are at Community Networks Wednesday 21 January 9am - 12.00pm. For help with personal or business tax,child support,student loans or family tax credits. Please call 4437799 to make an appointment.

Jp services at Community Networks Tuesdays1pm and Fridays 10.30.For appointments call 4437799

Massage Therapy. Sports-,deep tissue-,Relaxation-,Pregnancy massage. effective and rejuvenating. ursula krebs, dip. Massage Therapist CH/NZ. Phone: 027 6602271.

Music lesson available. guitar, piano, singing and songwriting. For pure enjoyment or to performance level. Contact 021400857 / [email protected]

need a portable chiller trailer for your function or wed-ding? Come and speak to us at Wanaka liquor Centre. 1 ardmore Street. Ph 03 443 1466

sepTic Tank services, Septic Tank cleaning, Oasis service agent Ph aaron 4434175

Mud suMp cleaning Ph 4434175

sewing repairs and alterations. Prompt economic service for personal and commercial needs. Phone Sue 443 2008 or 0272472181

wanaka window CleaNiNg professional, friendly, efficient service. enjoy those mountain views. High, awk-ward windows a specialty. Paolo 021 0572505/ 4432420

www.easyvisa.co.nz for visa and immigration help and advice. Contact your local licensed immigration adviser for a free confidential chat 034438386 or [email protected]

wanaka pharMacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open until 7pm every single day. Ph 443 8000

wantedvolunTeers reQuired. The Salvation army Family Store, Wanaka requires your help. Please en-quire at our store or phone 03 443 5068

wanTed self contained flat, private, warm for local female.Please phone,0276602271

TaXi drivers wanted. Full time or part time. P en-dorsement required. Contact yello! 0800 443 5555

whaT’s on

david McaTaMney Concert 7 February 2015, opera & light music. Presbyterian Church 7pm. Tickets video ezy $25pp. Contact Noelene Pullar 0274 452 032

4wd Trip lake Hawea and grand view Stations, Saturday January 17. $100 per vehicle. 10.30am – 4pm. Register with geoff Hewson: [email protected], 443 2262 or 0275 333 431.

4wd Trip this Saturday lake Hawea bring lunch meet lake Hawea community centre 10am leave 10.30. geoff 0275333431 no dogs

all The markets this Sunday! The craft market is be-ing joined by the farmers market, Pembroke park, from 10am

lalaland lounge Bar Wanaka. Open daily from 4pm – 2.30am. upstairs, 99 ardmore Street.

sunday crafT market is on at Pembroke Park this week! From 10am, for handmade N.Z arts and crafts direct from the artists to you!

wanaka duaThlon Series. Saturday 7th Feb. distances to suit 7yrs to adult. www.wanakaduathlon.co.nz


employment

employment notice notice

employment

for sale

employment

employment

trades&services

sunclassifieds

notice

design inTeriors

Tree services

sport results

commercial property

Wanaka Bridge Club Re-sults. Kingsway Stakes 1. North/South:- Errol Kelly, Ian McDonald 61.63% 1. Al-lan Kelly, Georgie Roberts 57.99% 2. Marion Furneaux, Jenny Pryde 56.60% 3. East/West:- John Hogg, Martin Un-win 65.15%1. Jan Anderson, Michael Metzger 61.23% 2. Helen Cornwell, Dorothy Mc-Donald 59.28%3.

Wanaka Gun Club 100 Com-pact sporting shoot, Janu-ary11: 1st 50 targets. A grade. 49 Rob McBride, 47 Les Hoff-man, 46 Mitch Whatley, Pe-ter Nelson. B Grade. 42 Jim Musin, Tim Jackson, Andy McDonald. C Grade. 43 Ian McLachlan, 39 Peter Cleave, 38 Trevor Bellaney. 100 tar-get trophy match. H.O.A. Phil Brown 94. A Grade. 93 Peter Drake, 93 Les Hoffman, 91 Rob McBride. B Grade. 85 Tim Jackson 1st, 85 Andy McDon-ald 2nd, 85 Dave Merrett 3rd. C Grade 85 Ian McDonald, 80 Peter Cleave, 76 Ziggy Potoc-zny. Unregistered winner was Jim Reveley on 68.

Lake Hawea Open Golf Tournament Jan 11: Trophy for Best nett 2015 Tony An-derson 62. Men’s Division I Best net – 1st Keith Lawry 81-16-65, 2nd Bryan Burgess 83-16-67, 3rd Kahu Vincent 76-9-67. Best Gross 1st Alan Gill 72, 2nd Tony Arscott 76. Stableford 1st Dick Sullivan 39, 2nd Neil Matchett 38, 3rd Rick Johnstone 37. Men Divi-sion II Best Net 1st Scott Read 85-21-64, 2nd Mark Kensing-ton 83-18-65, 3rd Ian Brown 86-21-65. Best Gross 1st Tony Anderson 81, 2nd Red Ste-venson 83. Stableford 1st Steve Wallace 40, 2nd Hamish Pearson 39, 3rd Craig Weas-tell 38. Ladies Nett 1st Maire McElrea 109-40-69, 2nd Kathy Anderson 109-36-73, 3rd Kay Ross 104-30-74, Gross Linda Wallace 91. Nearest the pin No1 Hamish Pearson No5 Ashley Hale. Closest for 2 on 2 Gerrard Haggart Straightest Drive No6 Kathy Anderson. Twos: Colin Hanson no5, Tony Arscott No 1. Birdies Net Ea-gles No 15 Tony Arscott, Steve Wallace.

Wanaka Senior 35+ Quartz Reef Tournament January 10-11: Women’s Doubles A-grade: 1st Rhian Nichol, Daphne Ledgerwood, 2nd Jeannette Hatten, Louise Kane. B-grade/120+: 1st Penny Wilson, Joan Kindley, 2nd Joan Lloyd, Jean Ste-vens. Men’s Doubles A-grade: 1st Richard Anderson, John Gibson, 2nd Derek Massey, Brett Rooney. B-grade/120+: 1st Albert Voschezang, Chris Russell, 2nd Neil Sutherland, Derek King. Plate Mike Hart-ley, Colin Finnie, Consolation Ceri Lewis, Stan Todd. Mixed Doubles A-grade: 1st Richard Anderson, Jenny Chisholm, 2nd Lea Mulvey, Albert Voschezang, Plate Grant Por-ter, Anna Findlay, Consolation Gary Tate, Penny Wilson. B-grade: 1st Jim Todd, Jean Ste-vens, 2nd Stan and Joss Todd. 120+ : 1st Ian Moore, Denise Coulston, 2nd Neil Suther-land, Daphne Ledgerwood, Plate Derek King, Helen May, Consolation Rhian and Nigel Nichol.


sunsport

PHOTO: WaNaka SuN

The Wanaka open and junior tennis tournaments, held during the first week of January, attracted strong competition from all over the country.

USA-based Queenstown player Riki McLachlan defended his title, beating top New Zealand junior and national title winner, Conner Heap, from Canterbury, 6-3, 6-3 to take the open men’s title. Riki then teamed up with former USA college player James Smith to beat Wanaka coach Perry Crockett and Harry James 6-4, 7-6, (10-8) in an entertaining men’s doubles final.

In a replay of the 2013 women’s final, Libby Scott from Dunedin defeated 17-year-old Annabel Ellis from Timaru 6-2, 6-3.

The junior tournament was contested over four days with Wanaka juniors winning five of the eight singles age-group titles.

Twelve-year-old Ines Stephani, who will be the number one seed at the

12-and-under New Zealand nationals in January, won the 14-and-under title and beat 15-year-old Rileigh Fields 6-4, 6-1 to also win the 16-and-under title.

Michael Gealogo won the 12-and-under and 14-and-under singles and doubles titles winning 6-0, 6-1, 6-0, 6-0 against juniors from Timaru and Christchurch in each singles final. Michael will travel to Auckland this month as the number one player for southern at the national teams’ event.

Martha Toghill, 10, was dominant in the girls 10-and-under singles, defeating Taylor Mitchell of Taranaki 4-1, 4-2 in the final. Annie Timu, 12, defeated the number one seed in the semi-finals of the girls 12-and-under singles, but went down to Olivia Parker of Christchurch 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Jack Timu, 10, and Holly Gibson, 11, both played well and gained runner-up trophies in their doubles events.

Pictured: Doubles winners Riki McLachlan and James Smith with runners-up Harry James and Perry Crockett.

The first of two races in the Wanaka Duathlon Series was held on Saturday.

“We had a great turnout considering this is an inaugural event and the number of events on the Southern Lakes District’s event calendar,” race director Ed Stevens said.

The event catered for both children and adults, with a run leg on the Millennium Track and a bike leg on Mount Aspiring Road.

“I get a real kick out of having children’s events incorporated

with adult events,” Ed said. “We had more than 60 kids racing aged from seven to 13 years. Lots of red faces and big smiles puts this event

on good stead.” For the second race of the series,

there will be two separate children’s races (seven to nine-year-olds and ten to 13-year-olds) and a longer distance adults’ race.

“As well as the 5k run, 10k bike, 2.5 run, we will have a 10k run, 40k bike, 5k run,” Ed said. “This ties in well with a good hit out for Challenge Wanaka athletes.”

The organisers are expecting about 150 entries in the February event.

Pictured: Tracey Mackay, of Wanaka, was third in the open female category in 01:41:42. Tennis tournaments attract strong field

duathlon series kicks off

Staff ReporterWanaka Sun



Adam Hall won third place in the slalom at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in La Molina, Spain, on Friday, behind two Russian athletes - world champion Alexey Bugaev in first place and Alexander Alyabyev in second. On Sunday, Adam moved up the podium, claiming a silver medal, while Alexey was again in first place and Swiss racer Thomas Pfyl was third.

Sit-skier Corey Peters finished 12th on his first day of racing in Spain, before two fast runs enabled him to move up to eighth place on the

second day, 2.19 seconds behind the leader Takeshi Suzuki of Japan.

“This is by far the best result Corey has ever achieved so far in slalom … the guys that beat him are the best in the world,” coach Ben Adams said.

Adam and Corey are in Spain as part of their preparations for the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Panorama, Canada, from February 28 to March 10.

World Cup success for adam

PHOTO: SuPPlied

PHOTO: SuPPlied

focus on sport

good luck to all involved!

Spectators and athletes alike will have plenty to keep them occupied this weekend, with both the inaugural The Ruby and the Sovereign Tri Series being held.

The Ruby swim series will be held on Saturday at Lake Wanaka. It incorporates distances from 200m to 3.8km, with all races starting and finishing at Waterfall Creek. The shorter races are family-friendly while the longer races are designed to challenge all. The event is designed not just to be a race but also as an opportunity to enjoy the lake and its surroundings.

The Sovereign Tri Series will be held on Sunday. The series offers the option of three different races: the Off-road triathlon – short distance, a 300m swim, 10km bike and a 3km run; the short distance, a 300m swim, 9km bike and a 2km run, and the standard distance, a whopping 1500m swim, 40km bike and a 10km run.

Also this weekend 15 athletes from Dunedin, Wanaka and Southland will be attending a Regional Youth Academy Triathlon camp at Snowfarm.

Four of the athletes invited to attend are from Wanaka. They are Lorenz Kissling, Janus Stauffenberg, Gregor Findlay and Phoebe Young. The athletes will be attending educational sessions on swim, bike, running, nutrition, core strength and race preparation, as well as competing in The Ruby 1.2km swim and the Sovereign Tri Series Super Sprint race.

Locals Val Burke and Mike Johnston will be coaching the camp with the assistance of Tri New Zealand National Talent coach Cam Durno.

wanaka sun 15 - 21 january 2015

Documents

lake wanaka

future of hawea

story page

hawea community plan

lake hawea township

wanaka rodeo

wanaka police

current district plan