Winter Games NZ superstars come to downtown Wanaka and Queenstown

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (August 8, 2011) - Spectators can experience the glory and emotion of the 100% Pure New Zealand medal ceremony as well as see winter’s sporting super stars in downtown Wanaka and Queenstown.

Each evening following the on-snow competition, the top three men and women will receive their medals at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games downtown stages which are at the Village Green in Queenstown and on the corner of Ardmore and Helwick Streets in Wanaka. Live music, entertainment and refreshments will add to the celebrations that start from 4.30pm.

There will also be a special cross-country awards ceremony on Buckingham Green in Arrowtown at 6.00pm featuring a barbeque and snowman building competition starting at 5.00pm on Sunday 14 August.

Winter Games NZ CEO, Arthur Klap, said the medal ceremonies were a great way to bring the events down from the mountains and into town.

“We really wanted to include the local community more in this exciting event,” he said. “Not everyone can get up the hill to see the action so by bringing the athletes into town for the medal ceremonies, so many more people can be part of the Games, and see some of the world’s sporting super stars. Kids can get autographs and photos and the live music and entertainment will add to the party atmosphere.”

100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games takes place from 12- 28 August 2011 featuring 22 snow and ice sports over 38 events and involving 1,000 elite athletes from 50 nations. The 16-day long Games also include a full Downtown Sessions festival programme featuring films, live music and entertainment and rail jam extravaganzas in Queenstown, Lake Wanaka, Dunedin and Methven. The on-snow competition will take place at Coronet Peak, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Park NZ, Snow Farm and Mt Hutt with the ice sports taking place at Naseby and Dunedin. For further information, visit www.wintergamesnz.com

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