A lack of snow in Australia has forced the relocation of a series of skiing's Australia and New Zealand Continental Cup (ANC) to Coronet Peak at Queenstown from August 26-29.
The series, which includes two giant slaloms and two slaloms, was scheduled to be held at Victoria's Mt Hotham but
due to poor conditions Ski Snowboard Australia was unable to stage the event.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Duncan Smith said Coronet Peak had been experiencing an excellent snow season with above average snowfalls.
"We have agreed to step into the breach and host the series at Coronet Peak.
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to do this because it is such a significant event for both New Zealand and Australian alpine skiers," Smith said.
The ANC slaloms will be held in the Rocky Gully Race Arena and the giant slaloms will run on Coronet Peak's homologated course on The Hurdle.
The field is expected to attract some big names, including the Norwegian men's team, who have four-time Winter Olympic gold medallist Kjetil Aamodt in their ranks.
It is likely that representatives from both the United States men's and women's teams, who are training at Coronet Peak, will also compete against the best from Australia and New Zealand.
National men's coach Nils Coberger said it was a coup to have the ANC series at Coronet Peak.
"It is a huge advantage for our skiers to have the races here on our home territory and it will be fantastic to have top competitors like the Norwegians here," he said.
