100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games to showcase New Zealand

The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 held between 13-28 August will showcase New Zealand as a winter market destination.

"With 16 days of snow and ice sports, the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 will showcase the South Island as the ultimate destination for snow and fun, and will particularly appeal to the youth market," said Tourism New Zealand General Manager Marketing Communications Justin Watson.

The event is also providing opportunities to tap into the social networks of competing athletes and to engage with attending international media. Tourism New Zealand has also worked with relevant Regional Tourism Organisations as part of their marketing message into the Australian market.

First held in 2009, the biennial home-grown event offers elite international winter sports competition during the northern hemisphere's off-season, with Olympic gold medallist Aksel Lund Svindal headlining a quality field of competitors in 2011.

The Norwegian skier won three medals at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics; a gold in the Super G, silver in the downhill and bronze in the giant slalom. As well as racing at Coronet Peak in Queenstown, Svindal will race the Super G course at Mt Hutt, Canterbury.

The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 will include alpine skiing, cross country skiing, winter triathlon, free skiing, snowboarding, curling, ice hockey and figure skating. The event is supported by the New Zealand Government, Tourism New Zealand, the New Zealand Olympic Committee and SPARC.

Visit the official 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 website.