Queenstown beckons Barker to new sport

News Release

America's Cup hero Dean Barker sailed through the finish line at the Continental Cup A Soup Celebrity Ski Race at Coronet Peak yesterday to win the Continental Celebrity Award for best overall performance.

The Team New Zealand Skipper 'tacked' down a tricky course and was narrowly beaten by Resort Radio announcer Steve Wilde - but won brownie points for crediting some "excellent" Coronet Peak tuition for his form.

"I had a bad draw, the blue course was slower than the red," he said under protest. He said he would love to come back for more skiing. "This is the proudest moment of my life," he said, tongue in cheek, as he held the award aloft.

'Changing Rooms' presenter Andy Dye proved very handy on skis and took out the award for fastest celebrity time, while 'Getaway' presenter Suzy Aiken was thrilled with her award for most improved performance.

Special commendations went to 'Popstars' presenter Peter Urlich, who made it to the bottom in one piece on only his second day on skis, and veteran local skiers from the One Ski In The Grave Club, Cynthia Balfour and Derek McKeown.

After wiping out in spectacular style and bowling into a cameraman at the end of the course, 'Shred' presenter Jeremy 'Newsboy' Wells and Spectator magazine writer Oliver Driver won the joint award for best crash.

Earlier in the morning Winter Festival news and Coronet Peak images were beamed to the nation when Mike Hosking hosted the 'Breakfast' show live from the mountain.

The show featured interviews with Destination Queenstown chief executive David Kennedy, members of the teams racing in the Compaq 50K of Coronet endurance ski race tonight, and featured pieces on the Wakatipu High School Sports Academy and Mike Hosking playing golf with cartoonist Garrick Tremain.

During the afternoon, hundreds of hungry festival goers lined up to compete in the Winnies Gourmet Pizza Gobble prelim and, an hour later, the Spaghetti Eating competition. Cheered on by a huge crowd and celebrity MCs Chris Hobbs and Paul Ellis of Shortland Street, 21-year-old Dan Stewart of Queenstown fought off nine other competitors to win a week's supply of pizza and entry into Saturday's grand finale.

At O'Connells shopping centre 32 competitors divided into two divisions each devoured a pound of spaghetti from The Cow restaurant in a bid to win the Spaghetti Eating competition. 13-year-old Jessie Rout won the junior division picking up dinner for two at The Cow and a t-shirt for his efforts. Ken Fujikawa of Japan also won dinner for two following his winning display in the adult division.

In a classic cook-off between Queenstown's junior chefs, Lena Vallabh of the Novatel won junior chef of the region in a close competition with Dean Dick of the Millennium (second place) and Kandy Tamagushiku from the Heritage (third place). The search for the Olando Winter Festival dish and the Havana Club Winter Festival Cocktail were underway from 7pm with hilarious commentary expected from celebrity foodie Jo Seagar.

Queenstown Winter Festival 2000

Old Council Buildings, Stanley Street, Queenstown

Tel: 03-441 2453 or 0800 4 QUEENSTOWN

Fax: 03-441 2459

E-mail: email@winterfestival.co.nz