Winter Games NZ Big Air Secures Naming Sponsor

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (June 5, 2009) - Winter Games NZ today announced Queenstown Resort College as naming sponsor for the Big Air, the grand finale of Winter Games NZ which takes place from 21 to 30 August 2009.

The Queenstown Resort College Big Air will feature the world´s top snowboarders and freeskiers and will take place in front of the base buildings of Coronet Peak, Queenstown and thousands of spectators and a live TV audience as the last event before the closing ceremony brings the inaugural Winter Games NZ to an end.

Winter Games NZ CEO Arthur Klap, said having a local organisation take ownership of one of the Games´ flagship events was not only a huge boost for Winter Games but a positive indication of the value the local business community places in the ground breaking event.

“Winter Games NZ is the only event of its kind outside the Winter Olympics and it´s terrific that Queenstown Resort College have the same belief in its success as we do,” he said.

“The multinational nature of the Games means it´s an amazing opportunity for QRC students to hone their skills in events, hospitality or adventure tourism on the largest winter sports event in the Southern Hemisphere.”

QRC CEO Charlie Phillips said the Winter Games NZ embodied the spirit of Queenstown and the college was “thrilled” to be a supporter of an event of this magnitude.

“Supporting this event enables us to profile the region as a serious study destination.

“While 90% of our student body is currently domestic, we´re excited by the opportunity to showcase QRC on the international stage. Both QRC and the Winter Games NZ stand for excellence and achievement at the very highest level.”

Winter Games NZ will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from 21-30 August 2009. It will feature disciplines of alpine skiing, free skiing, x-country skiing, snowboarding, curling, ice skating and adaptive snow sports as well as the demonstration sports of winter triathlon and natural luge. For further information visit www.wintergamesnz.com.