SnowSports ACT corporate members ski clubs raced in Australia’s oldest ski race, the Balmain Cup, on Saturday, September 3rd at Perisher Blue. Teams of six competitors from each club contested four events on the day; Alpine Slalom and Giant Slalom, Snowboard Giant Slalom and Cross Country. The Balmain Cup has been contended since 1933. The race was not held in the years of World War Two and the odd year where there was not enough snow coverage. The original Cup is still given to the ski club that places first overall. Ski Clubs take it in turn to host the event each year.

There has been a long rivalry between Cooma Ski Club and Guthega Ski Club with both clubs eager to win the cup this year again. It was not looking good for Guthega after the first event, as they were the last overall club with Cooma coming first. The club’s best Slalom skier, Matthew Roberston straddled on his first run and did not complete the course. The club had to count Heimo Thaurer’s time, who received a slow time after falling. Andy McDonald from Cooma was the fastest alpine skier on the day, but Guthega’s overall performance in the Giant Slalom placed them on top followed by Cooma. For the first time, Guthega took first place in the snowboard, after favourites Brindabella and Tate Ski Club. Jamie Pinkerton was the fastest snowboarder on the day. The clubs met at the Perisher Valley trails for the final event, the Cross-Country, also known as Cooma’s best event. Although Guthega’s Peter Fitzpatrick was the first to cross the line, five consecutive Cooma skiers passed straight after. Canberra Alpine fought back with skiers Katie Calder and Camille Melvey on their team. After two years of the trophy being with Cooma Ski Club, Guthega won this year’s Balmain Cup.

Many competitors entered all four events to challenge for the best overall male and female awards. Rupert Winkler, Owner of INSKI Canberra, took out best overall performance for the Guthega Ski Club and Wendy Pinkerton from Tate Ski Club took out best female performance. Rupert was the second fastest in the Slalom and third fastest in the Giant Slalom. When snowboarding was introduced as a Balmain Cup event seven years ago, Rupert took up the sport so he could compete in the race. Rupert competed at the Perisher Blue Masters championships in August, where he was first overall, competing in the Alpine Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super Giant Slalom.