Barwood, Hudson each win second title of nationals
QUEENSTOWN ski racer Adam Barwood and Piera Hudson, of Havelock North, claimed their second titles of the New Zealand Alpine championships at Coronet Peak yesterday.
Barwood and Hudson won the slalom titles, having also been crowned giant slalom champions on Sunday.
Warm temperatures overnight meant some soft snow conditions and Hudson was happy to be the first racer on course.
‘‘I got a lucky draw with bib one today with the soft conditions,’’ she said.
She made the most of this advantage, laying down the fastest first run in the women’s field.
Defending national champion Alice Robinson, of Queenstown, moved up 15 places from bib 19 to finish fourth after run one and was happy enough with her performance.
In the men’s field, defending New Zealand champion Barwood never looked like relinquishing his title.
After the first run, he was placed fifth. Willis Feasey was the closest of his teammates but way back in 19th.
As it was, a mistake in the bottom half of the course on run two put an end to Feasey’s challenge for the title, while Barwood hung on, dropping back to eighth overall but managing to retain the national title for another year.
Leader after the first run, Hudson started 30th in run two and had to battle the ruts to get to the finish. A few mistakes on the bumpy course cost her time and she finished sixth overall.
Racing concludes today with the Coronet Cup slalom.