Balmain Cup
Skiers of Snowboarders young and old talk of the Balmain Cup with affection. The Balmain Cup has been running for 76 years and is the oldest interclub snowsports competition in Australia.
It is a friendly but hard fought meeting of skiers and snowboarders and is worth keeping.
The cup was donated in 1936 by the Balmain brothers, who, in those days, ran a bus service in the Snowy. The Balmain bothers involvement in the event ended long ago - but their cup goes on.
Back in the pre-lift days of downhilling, the race was held at such places as Mt Franklin, Cabramurra and Kiandra. When races completed a run, they climbed to the top again with skins on their skis. Today's competitors would not consider racing under such primitive conditions!
The race consists of a slalom, giant slalom, snowboard giant slalom and cross country run. Each club can enter six racers in each discipline, and the best four times are taken. When the four disciplines have been completed, the club with the best overall performance is declared the winner.
The Balmain Cup will be held on Saturday September 1, 2012 on Mother-In-Law.
Approximate Schedule of Events
Slalom – Inspection Time: 9.15am, Start Time: 9.30am, Course reset: 10.45am
Giant Slalom – Inspection Time: 11.00am, Start Time: 11.15am, Course reset: 12.30pm
Snowboard Giant Slalom – Inspection Time: 12.30pm, Start Time: 12.45pm
Cross Country - 3.30pm Perisher Trails
Club Entries
Clubs must send SnowSports ACT their entry names by Wednesday August 29. Please complete entry form and email to info@snowpsortsact.com.au
Waiver Forms
All participants and volunteers must sign a waiver form before race bibs are given. Clubs are responsible for collecting and handing them to SnowSports ACT at race bib collection on the event day.
Club Volunteers
Each club must supply a volunteer to work as a course official on the day. Volunteers must report to the top of the course before the the first event commences.
Host Club and after event celebrations
The host club for 2012 is Cooma Ski Club. Clubs are invited to the Club before the Presentation Dinner at the Sundeck Hotel.
Presentation Dinner
The Presentation Dinner will be held on September 1 at 7.30pm. Presentations will be held at approximately 9.00pm. The Sundeck Hotel holds 70 diners, so that allows 14 people per club. Club numbers and advice on special dietary requirements for the dinner are to to be emailed to info@snowpsortsact.com.au by Friday August 24.