The New Zealand Winter Games will make history this August when they hold the first world-class winter sport competition where disabled and able-bodied athletes will race side by side.
Athletes will compete in alpine and cross-country skiing disciplines, among other sports, and will be divided into multiple classes of skiers based on ability. Since valuable Olympic and Paralympic qualification points will be up for grabs, disabled and able-bodied athletes will still be scored separately under FIS (Federation Internationale de Ski) and IPC (International Paralympic Committee) regulations.
“This is a new concept in high-performance competition,” said Winter Games NZ CEO, Arthur Klap.

We believe no distinction should be made between any athletes that perform at the highest possible level, against the best in the world. To this end, adaptive and able-bodied athletes will be competing at the same time, on the same course.”

Alpine skiers will be divided into three groups: standing, sitting (mono ski) and visually impaired (who race with a guide). Cross-country skiers will be split up between those using two Nordic skis or those sitting on a special chair using long poles.
The games will be held between August 21-30 at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin.
Top New Zealand skier Adam Hall will be competing, and organizers hope it will be a useful stepping stone towards the Olympic and Paralympic games in Vancouver next winter.

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