As a relative newcomer to NZ club field riding and a spectator of this event I would say it seems to do just that. Use of nutcrackers and good old leg power for getting to the peaks and along ridges was combined with riding down long ungroomed backcountry style runs. Judging by the looks on finishers faces the introduction of competition definitely led to intensified physical exertion.

Based on the official race map below I reckon (very roughly) about 4kms were covered including over 1100m vertical rise and 1600m descent across the Broken River (BR) and Craigieburn Valley (CV) Club/Chill fields. This year, for the first time, to prevent overcrowding on the first tow, competitors had the added bonus of a ‘Le Mans’ style start and began by sprinting uphill from the old poma shed to the Hamilton Col. Maybe I shouldn’t say this but what these people did in less than two hours, I would normally see as a good full day in the field. Add a few runs at CV first off, lunch and a few runs at BR and then back over for a mulled wine at CV to finish and that’s a full on day in my book.

Registration and briefing at 11am was a typical kiwi style affair: in the top café, a race map on the wall and a few words from Andy (the ‘clubby’ instigator) and Ed (the safety dude), with competitors and their numbered helmets gathered round. Not overstated and dictatorial, but evident attention had been paid to detail and safety. It provided opportunity for those with a keener appetite for the lead to ask questions about the legality of some of the moves for saving time they had been contemplating, and for the less experienced and less competitively motivated a simple reminder of where to go and what to do if something goes wrong. Sixteen people took part, four male boarders, two female skiers and ten male skiers. Participants were also representing their respective club (BR or CV) where appropriate.

With minimal fuss and I’m sure some well hidden apprehension all competitors headed to the start point and us spectators watched as the objects of our support emerged from what looked like a bunch of mountain ants and gradually became specks vanishing over the ridge. It was then a case of waiting and assessing the specks as they came back over from BR and rode down Hamilton Face from Hamilton Peak. This enabled us hardy supporters to put our gloves and hats back on so as we could step out and give encouraging cheers as they later rode past on the top rope tow ready for the final hike to and descent from North Peak to the finish line.

I probably should mention the all important weather. The sky was a bright blue with occasional cloud but the temperature stayed pretty low, unlike the winds which were of significant magnitude in the fields, and that bit stronger on the ridges. Even as the last competitor finished at about 2pm the unmistakable sound similar to possums squalling, edges on ice, rang clear as the element of competition obliterated a number of peoples normal regard for the icy conditions (no late spills though!).

I’m a snowboarder, with effectively no skiing experience but am confident enough to say that being on a board as a opposed to skis definitely adds some time. ‘Twiddly’ bits unfooting between tows and the like and some pretty evil traverses where the inevitable loss of height compared to a skier in icy conditions adds that extra bit of slow going hiking. Dare I say that the icy conditions on the day further advantaged the skiers for getting a foot in on the uphill hikes and control at speed downhill? Sorry skiers if I’ve not been aware enough to note any comparably more challenging aspects of the race for you.

This type of racing is not just a battle of the cardiovascular nature, but also of ‘mountain riding’ skills, with speed of fully equipped descent perhaps being of lesser importance.

Andy Evans, the race organiser and long term Craigieburn member, who would have raced if he wasn’t organising it, supports this and commented “I didn’t think skins would be very useful in a race like the Burner but Grant Guise proved this was not the case - he tore up the field with expert use of skins, especially on the first climb at the start of the race and won by a comfortable 4 minutes, when I saw him riding the Craigieburn middle tow he didn’t even look tired.”

Although I am perhaps not as qualified to pass comment, Will Page, fastest snowboarder, should also be commended for technical proficiency. Flow bindings will have saved him some time over those with the more common strap bindings but he also demonstrated a knowledgeable balance of speed versus control to hold traverse lines combined with ability and acceptance of the need to go hard on the hiking. I think only being 14:27 minutes behind Grant’s 1:04:50 is a good result. Nick Sutcliffe (who I think took a slide) was only 1:26 minutes behind Will on his board though so it was a pretty close competition between these two.

Just two seconds ahead of Will was Jane Harper, first female home and queen of the mountain, on her skis. I couldn’t say what skiing tactics she employed but they must be reliable as she also took the position of overall winner in the Temple Basin Randonnee Rally (bit more on this later) by a fair margin a couple of weeks later. Impressive stuff.

There was a little bit of time between finishing and prize giving where most took the opportunity to scoff some food in the car park and partake in inevitable banter and personal race reviews. Like the briefing the prize giving was a friendly and informal affair, this time in the bar accompanied by some freebies provided by Export Gold and One Square Meal, two of the sponsors. There were also some decent prizes handed out. Cash for male and female winners and plenty of equipment from the likes of Smith, K2, Body 02, BCA, 540s and Chill and some further tasty options Cookie Time and Honey Pot Café for other victors, participants and marshals. Best mention that the CV team came in ahead of their BR rivals!

Andy Evans sums the day up “It’s great to watch others exerting themselves, I was keen to do it myself but someone has to organize the race. It looked like everyone had a good time. Thanks to the sponsors for the huge pile of prizes, I think everyone got something, even the marshals who rightfully deserved a hand for sitting out on windy ridges. The race went very smoothly, every year we tweak it a bit so it runs better and we hope to get more people having a great time next year.”

My two bobs worth: Congratulations and respect to those who participated - especially those for whom simply entering and finishing was the goal, organised and controlled this relatively small but worthy event which I think achieves its original and worthwhile objective well and with a typical chill field spirit. Long may it continue to draw willing competitors and support. By reading this potential entrants will hopefully have a better idea of what to expect and be more likely to enter and reap the rewards of self achievement and maybe get a prize as well.

More on the Temple Basin Randonnee Rally . . . . and ski mountaineering in NZ.

The Randonnee Rally is a similar style race run at the Temple Basin club field. Unfortunately the mountain had to close earlier than hoped this year due to the unrelenting warm north westerly fronts in September but sprit shone through and a race, of a shortened nature took place anyway. Grant Guise, the overall winner of the Craigieburner was in fact the instigator and organizer of the Temple Basin Randonnee Rally. Grant claims his event to be the first Randonnee Rally or Ski Mountaineering Race held in NZ (I’ve not researched but guess there is a subtle difference between the Temple Basin rally and the Craigieburner backcountry ski and board race) and is looking to develop this activity with maybe a series of races next year and the development of NZSMA –New Zealand Ski Mountaineering Association.


Websites and related articles to check if you’ve got this far through the article:

Those on biglines . . . search NZ, Chill, Club fields, nut crackers etc
www.chill.co.nz
www.craigieburnvalley.co.nz
www.brokenriver.co.nz
www.templebasin.co.nz
http://ussma.org/faq/race/ski_mountaineering_race_faq.html