World-class Competition Confirmed as Winter Games NZ Unveils 2013 Programme

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (March 18, 2013) – The third Winter Games NZ will feature no less than seven World Cup events plus an elite international curling tournament as the world’s best snow sports athletes head to New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps from 15-25 August.

One of the top five winter sports events in the world, this year’s Games is once again essential Olympic preparation for many international teams as they prepare for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The sports programme for Winter Games NZ 2013 includes FIS World Cups in halfpipe and slopestyle for both snowboarding and freeskiing, plus two IPC World Cup adaptive alpine slaloms and an IPC Para-snowboard cross World Cup.

Cardrona Alpine Resort will host both World Cup halfpipe events with the freeski competition set to feature New Zealand stars Jossi and Byron Wells. Cardrona also hosts the IPC Para-snowboard Cross World Cup plus the Continental Cup SBX race.

Both slopestyle World Cup events take place across the valley at Snow Park NZ while Queenstown’s Coronet Peak hosts the IPC alpine slalom adaptive World Cups in addition to FIS Continental Cup slalom and giant slalom races.

Completing the programme are a sprint cross-country skiing Continental Cup at Snow Farm and eight days of world-class competition at Naseby’s International Curling Rink.

Winter Games NZ chairman, Sir Eion Edgar said there was an unprecedented level of interest ahead of this year’s event with the reputation of the Games growing around the world and the 2014 Winter Olympics just around the corner.

“The previous two Games in 2009 and 2011 established a new standard of winter sports competition in the Southern Hemisphere. Not only does Winter Games NZ provide an opportunity for northern hemisphere athletes to compete during their summer it also plays a major role in the development of New Zealand athletes as they continue to make their mark on the world stage,” he said.

“New Zealand will once again be the focus of the world’s snow sports community this August. We look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes, coaches, media and spectators to our excellent facilities and broadcasting the event to millions more around the world through our new TV and digital partnership with IMG Media.”

Winter Games NZ 2013 takes place over 11-days from 15-25 August. Set against the spectacular backdrop of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, the Games also include a full Downtown Sessions festival programme featuring films, live music and entertainment in Queenstown and Lake Wanaka.

For further information, visit www.wintergamesnz.com.

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