By 3 News online staff
The Winter Games NZ event in 2013 will host at least five World Cup events, making it the biggest snow sports event in New Zealand's history.
Winter Games chairman Sir Eion Edgar and Economic Development Minister Stephen Joyce made the announcement in Auckland this afternoon.
In addition to hosting five World Cups – the most for any event outside of the Olympics – Winter Games NZ at Lake Wanaka will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, attracting the world's best skiers and snowboarders.
Around 1000 international athletes are expected to attend.
The event, held from August 12 to August 25, 2013, will be broadcast on TV3. It will also feature a film festival, live music and other entertainment.
“The Winter Games NZ is a perfect legacy event for New Zealand," says Sir Eion. "We own it, we shape it and we keep all the commercial rights. It is an event with international standing that will make a major social and economic contribution to the benefit of all New Zealanders.”
Mr Joyce said the games, which have the backing of Sport New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand, will bring trade and tourism benefits. The Government has invested $1 million.
“The 2013 Winter Games will be a major step up from the previous two Winter Game," says chief executive Arthur Klap. "It is a bold move to go with five FIS World Cups and we are now waiting whether our two alpine ski racing events for the adaptive (disabled) skiers will also be World Cups. "
The programme includes FIS World Cup events in Snowboard Slopestyle, Snowboard Cross, Freestyle Ski Halfpipe, Freestyle Ski Slopestyle and Snowboard Halfpipe. Three Super Continental Cups and seven Continental Cups will also be up for grabs.
3 News