Checking in with the Atlas Athletes - Adam Barwood

Podium finish - Adam in the top spot 

We were happy to support a few local athletes over the Winter season so we thought we'd check in and see how their respective season's went and what the snowy North has in store for them. Next up, Adam Barwood who is now skiing and competing over in Colorado as this post goes online. 

Hello Adam, how's things? 

Good, thanks!

Give us a little summary of your 2013 NZ Winter Season. 

My New Zealand season was pretty full-on with lots of gym work before on snow training started. To start off I had a couple of days at Coronet mid-June before heading up to Mt Hutt for a week of technical training. It was a busy season of races with about 20 starts altogether. My first races were held at Cardrona and Treble Cone. The season also saw me over in Australia, skiing in for four day in slalom races at Thredbo in the ANC Continental Cup. After this it was straight back to Coronet for Winter Games. 

Tell us what was your highlight of the Winter was and is there an achievement that you are particularly proud of?

All up if was a pretty successful season for me, achieving a few goals and personal best results. I won the National Championship titles in slalom, giant slalom, overall men and also took out the Snowsports Alpine Athlete of the Year award. One of my highlights was gaining a personal best result in slalom and it just happened to be my 21st birthday too!

What countries will you be visiting this NH Winter? What are the places you look forward to in particular? Are there any events you are going to that you haven't yet skiied?

I left NZ on the 1st November and started training at Loveland. It's really cold and the high altitude (over 10,000ft) takes a bit of adjustment at first. One of the main races I have coming up will be some of the NorAm Cup races, these races are part of the qualifying criteria for the coming Olympics. The ream I'll be racing in will be made up of Australian and New Zealand national team members and we'll be training and racing in Loveland until we head to Austria, arriving there on Christmas Eve. Whilst I'm in Europe I'll go to Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia. I'm on the shortlist for the Sochi 2014 Olympics so I might even get to Russia!


Describe your best run of the season. 

It would have to be the race at Treble Cone on my birthday. Steep course, hard snow, a fairly clean run and a personal best!

As someone who travels a lot you must have a few tunes on your iPod to help you pass the time at airports. What are you listening to at the moment? Have you got any guilty pop secrets?

I seem to listen to pretty much anything that fits the moment. If I had a genre it would probably be rock or alternative. Lately I've been listening to a little Mumford and Sons and The National.

Do you ever get nervous before events? How do you get in the zone?

I do get a little nervous at times but I'm also getting used to it after competing in so many races. I have a bit of a morning and warm up routine to help get me in a good state of mind.

Final question: You're heading to Atlas for a feed, who would be your four dream people to accompany you to dinner? Can be anyone dead or alive.

1. Dalai Lama, 2.Hermann Maier, 3. Will Ferrel, 4. Steve Jobs

The best of luck from all of us at Atlas for your Northern Hemisphere Winter season! Would love to see the Dalai Lama at Atlas too...

Checking in with the Atlas Athletes - AndieG

We've been proud to support emerging Queenstown ski-talent, AndieG this NZ Winter. As the season is now over and we are firmly in Spring we thought we catch up with Andie to get the low-down on this year's slope-time and see what the rest of 2013 has in store for her.

AndieG with this season's hardware haul

Hello AndieG,

Hi guys!

How are you? Jumped in the lake yet?

I'm pretty good thanks, a little tired after a Winter of early starts although I am missing the snow already! Labour weekend is usual my first jump into the lake. Although, I didn't go in on Labour weekend this year as it was cold and snowing and my Mum wouldn't let me!

So, tell us a bit about your 2013 season. Give a summary of your time on skis this Winter. 

The season started well with some excellent snow early on with allowed us to train five day a week on snow - so no complaints from me there! The snow got a little thin late July/early August and once the international teams arrived lane space got a bit limited at Coronet Peak. So we moved over to The Remarkables and it was really fun to have a change of scenery. Once some new snow arrived it was back to Coronet Peak to train alongside the international teams. It was so cool and inspirational to be training alongside World Cup legends like Ted Ligety, Mikaela Shiffrin and Julia Mancuso! 

September was a busy month with the Southern Region Inter-Field races; a SuperG speed camp at Mt Hutt; the National Youth Series and in October I returned to Mt Hutt for the South Island Champs. September especially was was full-on! Mid-week training sessions and racing all over the South Island meant lots of early morning travel and late-night ski tuning with my Dad! 

What was the highlight of your NZ season?

Meeting Mikaela Shiffrin, Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso was pretty awesome and training alongside them at Coronet Peak was really inspiring. Winning the U14 National SL Title jointly with my QAST team mate Alex Hull was really cool. We finished on equal points so share the title together this year. Also the Atlas sponsorship was cool too, I blown away when Davey offered to sponsor me for the Winter along with Adam and Alanna, I felt pretty humbled to be in such great company.

And do you have an achievement that you are particularly that you are proud of?

I have two! Winning the U14 Ladies SL Title - really pleasing as I focussed hard on my Slalom this Winter. I was also awarded the QAST U14 Most Improved Athlete Trophy. It was nice to know that my coaches recognised my hard work and it made my Mum and Dad proud too!


What was your best run of the NZ 2013 season, doesn't have to be race one. Describe it for us?

That's a tough one. I'd probably say my first two SL runs at the South Island Champs at Mt Hutt. The conditions and course suited me well and I felt confident and strong in both runs. Unfortunately I was just pipped to the post (0.4 sec) by my awesome team mate, Alice Robinson, who is a phenomenal skier and my benchmark.

What's on for Spring?

I'm back in the gym twice a week with my personal trainer, the awesome Braden Lee at Fight Science, focussing on mainly speed and cardio work. I'm also enjoying doing CX Core, RPM and Body Combat classes with my Mum at the Events Centre. I'm just making sure I'm getting plenty of rest, eating well, building strength and dropping a little weight before heading away to Squaw Valley in December. Just the usual conditioning stuff and, of course, dreaming about skiing again in a few weeks!

So you are heading North in December to train with the Squaw Valley ski team again. Tell us a bit about that?

Yes, we are going to Tahoe on December 20th for a White Christmas which is really exciting as I've not had a one before. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Olympic Village at Squaw Valley dressed up with lights and decorations. I'll be training 4/5 days with the Squaw Valley Ski team for 6 weeks and doing plenty of free skiing with my parents too, which will be really nice... if my Dad can keep up!


What's on your iPod at the moment?

Like everyone I'm pretty fixated on the success of Lorde so she's on high rotate. Then there's Taylor Swift who I've liked for a few years now. Then now and again I squeeze in a bit of Macklemore's Thriftshop to annoy my Dad or that crazy song - What does the Fox say?.


What's your favourite thing to eat in the States?

My favourite thing to eat anywhere is steak (Especially at Atlas) but I do like a classic North American Caesar Chicken Salad and a sneaky Oh Henry chocolate bar now and then. 

So you're off to Atlas with your folks for a steak and fries meal, who would be your four dream people to accompany you to dinner? Can be anyone. 

Mum and Dad so they can pay for dinner because I won't have enough money!
Mikaela Shiffrin, World SL Champion and my absolute idol and inspiration; Julia Mancuso, Olympic Gold Medalist and the person I respect the most in skiing; Ivan from Outside Sport, because he's known me since I was small and started skiing and knows everything about skiing and ski racing; Davey from Atlas so he can meet my idols and understand what motivates me.


Good luck with your training  and races in the States, AndieG! We're pretty envious. 

Thanks, I'll keep my blog updated every few days so you can check out my progress over the Summer. I hope you guys enjoy the Summer here in NZ and thanks again for the support and help this Winter!

Sasquatchs and Super G - five minutes with Andie Gillings

A short while ago we had a chat with Adam Barwood, one of our Atlas sponsored athletes. But Adam is not the only Atlas alpine skier... We are also proud to sponsor AndieG who, along with her Mum and Dad, regularly drops into Atlas after she's been skiing.

Hi there, AndieG and welcome aboard.

Hi and thanks for inviting me to be part of the Atlas athlete family.

Tell us a bit about your skiing.  What do you love about it? 

Well, I'm an alpine ski racer and I'm lucky to be from a skiing family. Both my parents ski and my Dad spent many years working in the mountains so he's always encouraged me to enjoy my skiing from a young age. 

There's a few things I love about my sport, namely being in a wonderful, pristine alpine environment - it's pretty hard to find a better place to enjoy your chosen sport! I love the buzz that speed gives me, especially when racing in my preferred Super G event. I love training with my QAST team mates and our amazing, international coaching team at Coronet Peak.

And what have you achieved so far?

I spent January and February training in British Columbia, Canada at Revelstoke and Silver Star. I had an amazing time, made some great friends and skied some deep snow and really steep terrain. The tree skiing was amazing and I think I saw a Sasquatch!

I managed a 4th place and a 10th place in a Super G event at Silver Star, competing against other girls from various Ski Clubs in British Columbia. I want to do well this season in New Zealand and hopefully make the podium where possible.

What's the remainder of Winter 2013 got in store for you?

Lots! There's the Southern Region Interfield Races and also the NZ National Youth Series Races held at Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and Cardrona on various weekends. Between race weekends I have a speed camp at Mt Hutt to look forward to along with intensive training at Coronet Peak in early September.


Any other snow sports you're into? Snowboarding? Cross-country skiing?

Not really, I build the odd snowman! I did try x-country skiing at the Canmore Nordic Centre while I was in Canada last Summer. That was great fun and if we had more reliable snow to lower levels in NZ I'd like to do more of that.


Where's your favourite place to ski in NZ?

My favourite would have to be Coronet Peak followed closely by Mt Hutt as I can ski fast there.


What do you do when you're not skiing? What are your Summer sports?

I dream about skiing! I like to swim in the lake and I like cooking and baking with my Mum. I like riding my bike but I'm a danger to myself, the general public; all motorists, cats and dogs - so if you see me coming best you get out of the way! I wouldn't say no to a few lessons from Alanna. 


For people who haven't visited Atlas before, what would you recommend from the menu and what's your favourite thing to eat?

That's the easiest question to answer. Atlas has the best hot chips in Queenstown! My favourite meal has to be the steak, salad and fries meal on a Summer's afternoon after I've been swimming with my mates. Also the Sunday pig roast is pretty awesome.

Meet Adam Barwood

Adam Barwood, one of our Atlas alpine ski-racers,  has had a busy Winter so far with preparation a-plenty at Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak for the imminent competition season. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A.

Adam in action

Hello Adam, welcome aboard! How's your Winter going so far?

Excellent! The dry-land training I did leading up to the start of Winter went well - lots of strength work. Since the mountains opened on-snow training has been very focussed and full-on; so now I'm looking forward to races which start tomorrow at Treble Cone.

What got you into alpine skiing and what do you love most about it?

In 2001 there was an advertisement for Queenstown Alpine Ski Team in the Mountain Scene asking for people who were interested in ski racing. At that stage I couldn't even ski! What do I love about it? The excitement of racing and the lifestyle.

Ski racing looks pretty fast (under statement) what's your top speed/best time?

The times vary a lot depending on the course and the snow conditions. Speed wise a Super G race could be around 130kmph. 

You spend a bit of time in Europe and the States. What have been your overseas highlights and where have you been?

So far my overseas highlight, and probably the highlight of my skiing career, would be racing at the World Ski Champs in Schladming, Austria earlier this year in front of 50,000 people - with world wide TV coverage too!

My first international experience was age 12 when I went to a training camp in Morgin, Switzerland. Since then I have trained and raced in the Northern Hemisphere almost every year. This Northern Hemisphere season I visited Canada then went to Europe and raced in Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany and France.

I never spend long enough in these places to get really attached to them. Although I did loose my passport in Los Angeles and had to stay until a replacement was issued so I found I really enjoyed Venice Beach after a long Winter! 

And what's the food like overseas? Any favourite things?

I find the food in the States to be a little too processed, but meat is plentiful. While meals in Austria seem to revolve around bread rolls, cheese and salami so it is always good to get back to Queenstown for a decent Atlas steak. 

Are you competing in the Wintergames this year, if so what disciplines?

Yes, I will be racing Slalom and Giant Slalom at Coronet Peak, starting on the 18th of August.

Where is you favourite place to ski in NZ?

Would have to be Coronet Peak.

How do you like your Atlas steak cooked? 

Medium rare, please!

We'll keep checking in with Adam over the NZ competition season and will keep you posted with his progress.

Atlas athletes: now with added alpine ski-racers...

Adam Barwood (right) pictured with Atlas' Davey McKenzie

We're passionate about engaging with and supporting the Queenstown community as much as possible. And so, we're excited to let you know that we have a couple of new athletes recently join the Atlas family of sponsored sports people. So without further ado let us introduce you to Adam Barwood and Andie Gillings. 

Queenstown locals among you may be familiar with these two talented skiers already. And for those of you who haven't heard of them as yet...

Andie Gillings

Adam represents New Zealand for alpine skiing, no less, and is a member of the New Zealand National Ski Team. In the 2012 New Zealand Nationals he was the overall New Zealand National Alpine Champion! 

AndieG is an emerging talent who skis for the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team. Along with her Mum and Dad, Andie often pops into Atlas after she's been up the hill. She is currently gearing up for the New Zealand National Youth Series; which will take place over August and September.

We're thrilled to be able to support both Adam and Andie and will be keeping you updated with their competition progress.

Prize draw this Friday: KORE skis & $750 Atlas tab up for grabs!

Kore skis? Yes please!

Hello all, hope you are keeping warm and that the skiers and boarders among you have had the chance to get a few runs in at Coronet. 

So the date is set for the amazing, Kore skis raffle draw...

The draw will be at Atlas Beer Cafe
this Friday (14th June 2013) at 9.30pm

And, if you are the lucky winner and if you are present in Atlas at the time of the draw you will also win a $750 Atlas tab!

Yep, that's right, $750! 

You must, however, be at Atlas on the night to win the bar tab. If you are not present for the prize draw then you will win the Kore skis only. (Which is still a fantastic prize!)

If you haven't got your tickets yet call in today and purchase a raffle ticket or two from our friendly bar staff. And, if you want to be in to win the bar tab too  make sure you are in Atlas at 9.30pm this Friday for the draw.

What could be better than whizzing round on brand new Kore skis and then popping into Atlas for an après craft beer on your tab? Perfection!

Raffle tickets are $2 each and proceeds go to Queenstown Mountain Bike Club.

We'll see you on Friday! 

Atlas Beer Cafe

Kore skis raffle at Atlas! Win skis!

Snow season is just around the corner and we have an exciting prize up for grabs. Kore Skis are raffling off a pair of their fantastic skis with all the proceeds going to the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club. 

The All Mountain skis are made right here in Queenstown by local skier Guy Barker and tickets are just $2 each! Bargain price for all the excitement you could be having on these awesome skis this Winter! Provided you win ;-) 

The draw will be made before the start of the season so don't delay! Pop into to Atlas today, get yourself a ticket and be in to win a pair of unique and amazing skis!


In case you haven't heard of Kore Skis check out their facebook page for a little more info. 

'til next time,

Atlas Beer Cafe