Piggy back, bird style
INSIDE THIS WEEK Views: Page 4 Jobs : Page 10 Sport: Page 12
PAGE 4
Cyclists in training
OPENING HOURS:
MONDAY-SATURDAY: 8AM TO 6PM SUNDAY: 10AM TO 6PM
Phone: 03 443 8000
Top of Helwick St, Wānaka
PAGE 12 THUR 30.12.21 - WED 05.01.22
EDITION 1059
Olympic dream in the balance
Campbell Wright has just over two weeks to seal a Winter Olympics berth.
is sport of choice has a low profile in New Zealand. He runs on the smell of a proverbial oily rag – and the Americans are eyeing him for a place in their future Winter Olympics squads. But Wānaka’s Campbell Wright is striving to convince the New Zealand Olympic Committee by January 15 that he should be in their team for Beijing in the biathlon. Biathlon involves cross-country skiing and rifle shooting and is a national sport in Norway, which produced the sport’s “King of Biathlon”, Ole Einar Bjorndalen who won 13 Winter Olympic Games medals between 1998 and 2014 Campbell, 19, is regarded in some quarters as the most promising biathlete to emerge since Bjorndalen. His reputation has been enhanced by the fact
H
he competes on the European biathlon circuit with just family funding, ski sponsorship from Rossignol and coaching support from Italian coach Luca Bormolini against athletes with corporate sponsorship and national backing. Bormolini says the other teams are kind to the lone Kiwi - offering rides to events and assistance with his ski waxing. Campbell, only the second teenager behind Bjorndalen to win Biathlon World Cup points, is based in Livigno, Italy with Bormolini, who has coached him for five years. In recent 10 days Campbell has competed in World Cup events in Austria and France where he was aiming to prove to the NZOC that he has the form to achieve a top 16 finish at the Olympics. Biathlon is an almost unknown in New
VISIT OUR EXCITING NEW SHOWHOME If you’re thinking of building and are looking for ideas and inspiration, make this your first step.
22 Glen Dene Crescent, Northlake, Wanaka Open Wednesday to Sunday 1pm – 4pm 03 443 2196 / gjgardner.co.nz
Zealand, which has about 10 registered biathletes who mainly train and compete at Snow Farm next to Cardrona skifield. Campbell trains on Wānaka roads on roller skis in the off-season. “Campbell is already putting New Zealand on the world map with his performances so far,” says his father, Scott. “It’s hard to overestimate how big a deal biathlon is in Europe and the international spotlight that will be shone on New Zealand if Campbell is able to compete at Beijing and future Olympic Games.” He says a medal at Beijing is unlikely, but not out of the question. Scott Wright said his son wants to compete for the country of his birth, but the United States has seen his potential. Campbell’s parents Scott and Alison are both New Zealand and US citizens, so Campbell is eligible to represent both countries.
DELIVERED AND FREE
Council: lakes are covered Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says it has appropriate cover in the wake of Wānaka harbourmaster and training officer Jeff Donaldson quitting. Donaldson announced he was leaving a week before the holiday boating season begins, saying he could not safely perform his functions. He told the Otago Daily Times he was employed by Cougar Security to be an authorised Maritime New Zealand trainer on jet ski and boating behaviour, but his new contract was "not working". Cougar Security has the contract to provide water safety services on Lakes Wānaka, Hāwea and Queenstown. Queenstown Lakes District Councill spokesperson Sam White said during the peak summer period there would be a suitably qualified and warranted Harbourmaster residing in Wānaka, in addition to other waterways officers covering the Upper Clutha. “This person will ensure expected levels of service are met and be available to talk though matters of concern with members of the public onsite,” he said. In addition to the Harbourmaster, contracted staff will be operating in the Upper Clutha, including • Warranted Enforcement Officer at main Wānaka beach / Roys Bay area • Warranted Enforcement Officer on patrol in Mata-Au Clutha River mouth and surrounding area • Patrol in Glendhu Bay (main ski area) including marquee and Enforcement Officer / Ambassador on demand • Boat ramp staff to focus on education (such as handing out and talking through new season brochures) and encourage a high level of self-compliance. “These staff are in direct communication with waterways officers and the Harbourmaster and will be based at Glendhu Bay (Rotary Park - Council ramp), Hāwea main ramp, Eely Point and Roys Bay (Wānaka marina),” White said.
1 202 Ho m e B u il d e r s