100 Day Countdown Begins

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand (16 May 2017) - Stunning scenery, world's best talent and Kiwi hospitality are set to be showcased to a global audience with Audi quattro Winter Games NZ revealing its most diverse event yet and all free to view, both on mountain, on ice and on TVNZ’s Duke Channel and 1. 

Today, May 16 marks the 100 day countdown to the fifth edition of the sixteen-day winter sport showcase.

‘It feels like a bit of a champagne moment,’’ said Games Chief Executive Arthur Klap when announcing the finalised schedule.

 “Being able to highlight the abundance of New Zealand’s winter sports talent and introduce the world to our amazing venues, this is exactly why we created the Audi quattro Winter Games NZ,” Klap continued.

Those sentiments are backed up by TVNZ DUKE programmer Edward Kindred, who for the first time will broadcast the Games free to air and live on Duke, with highlights on TVNZ 1 and on demand at TVNZ.co.nz.

“Interest in the event is running high among our viewers as the Games bring the top competitors in the world to compete in our very own backyard. TVNZ’s excited to bring our sports-hungry audience the Audi Quattro Winter Games."

After the unique flood lit Dual Slalom to open the Games on August 25 at Coronet Peak, attention will then swing to one of the four World Cup events at Cardrona as well as the Curling at the Maniototo International curling rink in Naseby. The Remarkables features The North Face Frontier, a new event inside the Games this year while Treble Cone also joins the host venue family with a Para Snowboard Banked Slalom World Cup.

“The American men’s team have already indicated their intentions to compete in the Cross-Country events at Snow Farm, which gives us real confidence that spectators will get the best chance to get up close to the top talent in the world too,’’ said Klap.

“People often talk about events that are so called not to be missed, but I can hand on heart say this year’s Games will reward anyone and everyone who comes to watch, and the fact we have such a commitment from TVNZ this year to broadcast the Games free is a massive reward for everyone’s effort."

“The Audi quattro Winter Games adds to TVNZ’s growing slate of sport available on DUKE including NFL, NBA, MLS, AFL, WRC, Formula-E, eLeague and next year’s Commonwealth Games – all available live and free, Kindred added.

The Audi quattro Winter Games NZ is being held between August 25 and September 9 with September 10 used as a weather day. It also includes an associate festival event, the Merino Muster at Snow Farm on Saturday 2^nd of September. 

ENDS