The latest from Atlas
Showing posts with label Skiing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skiing. Show all posts

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

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!


Tuesday, 23 July 2013

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.



Wednesday, 12 June 2013

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


Tuesday, 14 May 2013

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