Awesome Day for the 2008 Deuter Ruapehu Ripper

UPDATE: THANKS TO THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS AND KEEN EMAILS FROM PREVIOUS COMPETITORS THE RIPPER WILL BE BACK FOR 2009! LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL THERE. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

Race day 2008

After encountering intense snowfall, strong winds and high avalanche conditions during set up, Saturday the 20th of September tuned out perfectly for the second Ruapehu Ripper Ski Mountaineering challenge.


A small field of competitors crossed the start line and took on the longest ever ski mountaineering event to be held in NZ. Everyone who took part enjoyed it and the snow and sun made it a great day out.
The fastest competitors finished in just under two hours with the finial competitor finishing just after 3 hours. All in all a pretty good display by all.

The prize giving was a cause of glee for the competitors with everyone taking away great prizes from Deuter, Leki and Voile, from Marvelox NZ, Buffs from Buff Headwear and Guide Books from the New Zealand Alpine Club.

The race was very rewarding to all in many ways and I would like to thank our sponsors for supporting this event.
These Include:

Marvelox NZ, Turoa Ski Area, New Zealand Alpine Club, Buff Headwear, Protector Safety, Wilderness magazine, Climber Magazine.

We will look at running the event again next season. The future of the Ripper however will rest on YOU taking part. To do justice to our sponsors and make the event not only viable but to increase the fun, we would hope to see a turn out of over 30 participants next season.

Thanks to our brave and hardly souls who took part this year, enjoy your prizes and please spread the word.

SOME EMAILS FROM THE RIPPER 2008

"Craig,

Just a note to all the Ruapehu Ripper team to say a big thank you for
a great weekend. Had a good time, and will definitely be back again
next year. Thanks particularly to the guys who went out and set the
course in what I believe was nasty weather, to the marshals who sat
around waiting for us all, and of course the sponsors.

I've included some more relevant photos that i took along the way (as
if i really had time or energy to stop!) if you want to augment any
others that were taken.

Once again, thanks to all involved. Fantastic fun; can't wait for next year...

Cheers, Scott"




"Hi Craig,

Thank you for organizing the great Deuter Ruapehu Ripper. I thoroughly enjoyed the race despite my slippery skins. It would be great to learn about the Italian light skis, bindings & shoes. I hope you will organize the race again last year. I have told all of my mountaineering friends and they are all keen.

Again, thanks for the great event. Keep the good work going."
martin.knoche

"Hi Craig

Cheers again for organising the race on Saturday. I was pretty rooted afterwards! Had to have a little rest and all…

And the prizes were amazing! That alone should be enough to get people along! Thanks to your sponsors if you are speaking to them.

I was supposed to do a 2hr bike ride this morning but my legs were so dead I cut it short. Obviously touring is very good for the fitness."
murray.arthur