Winter Games NZ Cancelled as Covid-19 Spreads
26th August 2021
The event was due to start this weekend but has been called off as New Zealand remains in lockdown with ski resorts closed. UPDATED
The organisers have cancelled the event due to the lockdown and the ongoing uncertainty around Covid-19 alert levels.
We reported on the new lockdown measures after heavy snow fell earlier on PlanetSKI:
“While it is disappointing to cancel the event, we know it is the right decision and we will now turn our attention towards delivering another world class event in 2022,” said the Winter Games NZ chief executive, Marty Toomey.
The cancellation includes events at The Remarkables and Cardrona.
Winter Games NZ is the southern hemisphere’s biggest snow sports event and usually sees some of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders.
It was to have been slimmed down due to the restrictions of Covid-19.
Three events were scheduled to take place at the Remarkables Ski Area and Cardrona Alpine Resort near Queenstown on the South Island from August 29th to September 4th.
Winter Games NZ is the southern hemisphere’s biggest snow sports event.
It usually welcomes the world’s best skiers and snowboarders and PlanetSKI was pleased to be watching back in 2018.
PlanetSKI is slopeside Image © PlanetSKI
Team GB head coach, Pat Sharples with PlanetSKI’s James Cove. Image © PlanetSKI
Only domestic athletes planned to take part this year due to the pandemic and associated travel restrictions.
A modified event also took place in 2020 too as we reported earlier:
Freestyle in New Zealand. Image © PlanetSKI.
The nationwide lockdown was due to end on Friday 27th with Auckland following next Monday on August 30th.
The lockdowns have now been extended since the announcement of the cancellation of the Winter Games NZ.
The national lockdown will be extended until the end of the month, with regions south of Auckland being downgraded to level 3 after that date.
It is likely Auckland and Northland will remain under full lockdown for another two weeks, with a review due on Monday.
