Derby
The Christiania (Christie) Derby is a ski race competition between the 50-odd clubs on Ruapehu. It is the oldest and one of the biggest races held on Ruapehu each year. 2024 will be the 65th Derby.
This year, it will be run on Saturday August 10 as the first in a series of inter-club races. In previous years this race has attracted around 150 racers. The event is competitive, but focused on amateur skiing and fun. The prize giving and after-match function is held at the Christiania Ski Lodge near the Rangatira Express chairlift.
2024 EVENT SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION:
Friday 9 August:
7 - 9pm: Sign-in & bibs collection at Christiania
Saturday 10 August:
8 - 9AM: Late sign-in at Lorenz’s Café
10AM: Racing starts, usually at top of Valley T (TBC on race day)
6:30PM: Prize giving at Christiania Ski club.
Venue and Time are to be confirmed at sign-in. Updates will be posted on our Facebook page
All participants need to be registered online, before 10 August at 9AM.
Fee: $35 pp (juniors $25), this includes racing and prizegiving party: snacks and 3 drinks per entry are included in fee. (ID will be required for alcoholic beverages. Any person under 18 years of age must have a responsible guardian at the race after party)
Full payment must be made prior to 10 August by bank transfer to Christiania Ski Club: 03-0318-0286109-00. (Please provide your full name, and club name as reference.)
Cash payment is accepted (exact change only) at time of sign-in.
ENTRY CATEGORIES:
Every racer must be entered into one of 4 categories, and provide their gender.
All racers will race individually, with the option to race within a team of 3 or 4 for Team Awards.
- Open: Male or Female (anyone, all ages)
- Masters: Aged 40 and over (as at 1 January 2024)
- Juniors: Aged 16 and under (as at 1 January 2024)
- Snowboard: Male or Female
Individual awards shall be presented to:
- 1st, 2st and 3rd fastest junior skier overall
- 1st fastest junior female
- 1st, 2st and 3rd fastest master overall
- 1st fastest master female
- 1st, 2st and 3rd fastest open skier female
- 1st, 2st and 3rd fastest open skier male
- 1st fastest snowboarder female
- 1st fastest snowboarder male
Team Awards shall be presented to:
- 1st fastest junior team (minimal 1 female counted time)
- 1st fastest master team (minimal 1 female counted time)
- 1st fastest open male team
- 1st fastest open female team
RACING RULES:
- All racers must be fully paid club members of their respective clubs
- All racers must wear a helmet and bib
- All are to follow instructions from course controllers and RAL Snow Code
- Race Order is generally by bib number; Juniors first, followed by Masters, Ladies, Men, and Snowboarders
- No hiking on the course
- Miss a gate = disqualification, stop or fall = continue down
- Clear the finish area quickly and return bibs directly after finishing race
Team rules:
- All team members must be members form the same ski club
- All team members must be from a single category
- Teams consist of max. 4 people and min. 3,
- Fastest 3 count towards overall team time
- Skiers can only race for one team
- More than one team can be entered from each club in each category
- Junior and Master teams: minimal 1 female's time must be included within the aggregated team time
Health & Safety information, and Rules / Terms & Conditions are available here
For any questions please contact our club captain Vivian Oskam at clubcaptain@skichristie.co.nz
Information on this page is subject to change, please check our Facebook page regularly for any updates.
2023 Whakapapa Combined Clubs Race results
Derby was not held in 2021 due to snow conditions
Derby was not held in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions
Derby was not held in 2019 due to bad weather
Derby was not held in 2016 due to bad weather
Derby was not held in 2014 due to bad weather