Audi New Zealand is proud to announce its naming rights sponsorship of the Audi quattro Winter Games NZ for 2013. The sponsorship agreement, signed today between Audi New Zealand and Winter Games NZ, provides the perfect platform to showcase Audi quattro, says General Manager of Audi NZ, Dean Sheed.

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22, 2011: Felix Neureuther of Germany competes in the Men's Giant Slalom run one on day 10 of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2011 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

“After 33 years of leading the world in quattro permanent all-wheel drive technology, and with the five millionth quattro vehicle having rolled off the assembly line this year, it makes perfect sense that Audi would lend its support to the Winter Games and the sports most closely associated with quattro.”

Sheed says that there are some powerful synergies around the partnership.  “Audi is really at home in the snow. We were the first to host New Zealand’s leading ice and alpine drive programme in the Southern Alps – the iconic Audi ice experience – and internationally Audi is the key sponsor of a number of winter sports events and teams in the Northern hemisphere, so the addition of the Winter Games sponsorship here in New Zealand is hugely exciting.”

Sir Eion Edgar, chairman of Winter Games NZ, said the partnership was a major boost for winter sports in New Zealand. "Audi's sponsorship of Winter Games NZ is fantastic news, not just for the Games but also for the development of winter sport in New Zealand. It enables us to achieve our objectives of profiling winter sports in New Zealand and providing our athletes and communities with a world-class event.

"Just as Audi pioneered the development of four wheel-drive vehicles like the quattro, which we all now rely on to get us safely up to the ski fields, so Winter Games NZ is breaking new ground for winter sports events in the Southern Hemisphere. The eyes of the world will be on the Audi quattro Winter Games NZ as the best in the world come and compete for their spot at Sochi 2014 and we can’t wait!”

Snow sports stars sign up

 Winter Olympians, Winter X Games stars and FIS World Cup winners from around the world are signing up to compete at the Audi quattro Winter Games NZ this August.

The 11-day competition, ranked as one of the top five winter sports event in the world, has already attracted entries from the Swiss, US, Russian, Slovak, Japanese and Great Britain national teams with many more expected as the countdown continues to the last major qualifying event before the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Elite athletes entered so far include Swiss snowboard stars Iouri Podladtchikov and Ursina Haller. Both are definite medal contenders for Sochi 2014.

Winter Games NZ chief executive, Arthur Klap said the calibre of entries already received reflected the importance of the Games ahead of next February’s Winter Olympics. Read the full story here.

Join us for 'Business After 5'

 Winter Games NZ in conjunction with Queenstown Chamber of Commerce is inviting members to a 'Business After 5' event at the Queenstown Memorial Centre.

This year's Games will be held just six months before the 2014 Winter Olympics so many international medal hopefuls will be competing alongside our homegrown stars.

CEO Arthur Klap will outline what we can expect this August and why the link with the Winter Olympics is so important. He will also explain the Games' legacy for the region with a ten year plan to be financially self-sufficient. Ashley Light from Snow Sports NZ will also present on the Kiwi athletes looking for Olympic glory.

When: 5.30pm, Wednesday 26th June
Where: Supper Room, Queenstown Memorial Centre
Cost: Complimentary

Please RSVP by 5pm Monday 24th June to events@queenstownchamber.org.nz or 03 441 8254.

Volunteer Info Nights

 Come along to one of our Winter Games NZ Volunteer Info Nights to learn more about the event and the various roles available as well as meeting some of the local organizing committee and other volunteers:

Wanaka
Tuesday 2nd July
Lalaland Bar, Level 1, 99 Ardmore St
5.45pm start

Queenstown
Wednesday 3rd July
Elements Bar, Novotel, cnr Earl St & Marine Parade
5.45pm start

Grab some friends and bring them along too! Please RSVP to volunteers@wintergamesnz.com and say which location you're coming to.

You can find out more and register as a volunteer anytime by clicking
here.

Sports managers join the team

We're delighted to announce our team of sports managers for 2013:

    Alpine - Wayne Cafe (pictured) is back to cover all races at Coronet Peak
    Freeski & Snowboard - Hamish Allen is heading to town for the halfpipe and slopestyle comps
    Curling - Sam Inder, based in Naseby, is also Chairman of the NZ Curling Association
    Cross-Country - Snow Farm's new events manager, Anna is our go-to girl for XC.

Welcome everyone!

Press Release
Winter Games NZ
Thu, June 20, 2013 7:38 am