Adrian Farnsworth

I have been actively in New Zealand Alpine Ski Racing spanning 50 years. Starting as a junior Coach and Instructured at Mt Ruapehu for some years under Ski School Director John Ball, also getting my full Instructors certification during that time.

Started work with NZ B Ski Team, under the then Alpine Director Andreas Hefti. 

After Andreas Hefti finished his Tenure with the National Body, took over running the NZ Ski Teams, employing an excellent Head Coach Sepp Bruner who now leads the Austrian Speed Team. This involved some tours to Europe, North America and the World Cup races at Thredbo.

My involvement in Alpine Ski Racing has provided me with valuable experience and an understanding of Athlete development, International competition standards, race organisation and the challenges faced by New Zealand athletes competing overseas.

1988 I headed the New Zealand Alpine Team at the Calgary Olympics, this is after I succeeded in leading the Change for the New Zealand Winter Olympic Teams from being self funded to being fully funded by the New Zealand and Olympic Commonwealth Games Association. Coaches for the full team being Sepp Bruner for the men and Diane Culver for the women.

Over the decades I have established and managed Alpine racing programmes and I currently am the Lead Coach at the Snowplanet and the Northern Ski Team,  specialising in the development of young Alpine Ski Racers.

My Coaching and Programming experience spans grassroots development through to International competition, with lately concentrating on youth development from U8 to U16, specialising in athlete development, technical skiing, race preparation, course setting, equipment selection and athlete safety.

I am a past Chairman of the Alpine Ski Committee and a current sitting member and the only one outside of SSNZ staff, who resides in the North Island, which adds a vital communication link.

After decades I remain actively involved in Coaching and developing the next generation of New Zealand Alpine Ski Racers.

I believe I can add to the Alpine Technical Committee a combination of extensive technical knowledge, experience at all levels, independent judgement and a genuine commitment to the long term development of Alpine Ski Racing in New Zealand.

Having been involved in the sport for a long period of time, I have experienced first hand both the progress our Sport has made and the Challenges that continue to limits its development.

My Principal areas of expertise include:

Athlete Development and Coaching:
Extensive practical experience developing young Alpine Ski Racers, with a strong understanding of technical progression, physical development, equipment preparation and the pathway to achieve competitiveness. 

Racing Experience:
First and experience coaching and supporting New Zealand athletes within New Zealand and offshore, providing an understanding of standards and the challenges to be faced.

Race Organisation, Course Setting and Safety:
Considerable experience in Race organisation, technical course setting and competition procedures. I believe races should provide an appropriate technical Challenge while encouraging athlete development , fairness, safety and reasonable completion rates.

Independent Technical Judgement:
I have never being reluctant to question established practices when I believe improvements are necessary. However, I recognise that meaningful progress is best achieved through constructive discussion, sound reasoning, mutual respect and a willingness to consider differing perspectives.

Fairness, Transparency and Accountability:
I believe strongly that athlete selection, competition policies and development opportunities must be governed by clear, consistent and transparent criteria. Decisions should be based on objective evidence, technical merit and the long term interests of athletes and the sport.

National Perspective:
Having worked across different generations of New Zealand Alpine Ski racing, I appreciate the importance of ensuring all athletes , clubs, programs and regions have equitable opportunities . I believe that cooperation and the sharing of knowledge between Coaches and programs are essential to improving our International competitiveness.  

Experience and Institutional Knowledge:
My involvement of a long period of time provides a historical perspective that can assist the Committee in understanding previous initiatives, recognising successful practices and avoiding the repetition of past mistakes.

I also recognise that experience alone is not sufficient. The sport continues to evolve, and I remain actively engaged in modern coaching methods, equipment developments, analysis and International practices.

I believe that effective technical leadership requires more than maintaining existing systems. It requires the willingness to examine whether those systems are delivering the best possible outcomes and where necessary, to recommend positive, timely and practical change.

My motivation is not personal recognition, but the opportunity to contribute the knowledge and experience gained over a life time in our great sport.

I have no vested interests.

Ultimately, I would like to help ensure that New Zealand Alpine Ski Racing is technically progressive, nationally inclusive, professionally administered and above all, focused on providing the best possible opportunities for our athletes to developed and succeed domestically and Internationally.

Damien O'Connell

I am the Programme Director of Queenstown Alpine Ski Team (QAST). My involvement in alpine ski racing began as a parent and grew into roles as a Board Member, Chairperson and Programme Director. This has given me a broad understanding of the sport from the perspectives of athletes, families, coaches and club leadership.

My practical race experience includes helping organise and deliver events from Junior Interfields through to FIS Continental Cup races. Through these events, I have gained experience of domestic racing and international-level competition hosted in New Zealand, working alongside race officials, coaches, volunteers and ski area staff.

At QAST, I oversee programme delivery, coach management and the coordination of training and racing opportunities. I work closely with coaches, athletes, families and ski areas to support athlete development from grassroots through to higher levels of competition.

I also bring many years of governance, management and business experience through ski clubs, rugby and other community sports, alongside running my own business. I am practical, approachable and committed to creating opportunities for athletes and strengthening alpine ski racing in New Zealand.

I would bring practical race experience, programme leadership and governance skills, alongside a clear understanding of how committee decisions affect athletes, families, coaches, clubs and ski areas.

My involvement in race organisation, from Junior Interfields to FIS Continental Cup events, gives me an understanding of the operational demands of delivering safe, fair and well-run races. I would bring that perspective to discussions about competition rules, event standards and their practical application on the hill.

Through my role at QAST, I understand the importance of a clear athlete pathway, strong coaching and appropriate training and competition opportunities. I would support transparent, consistent selection and eligibility criteria, while considering athlete wellbeing, affordability and the realities facing families and clubs.

I have strong working relationships with NZSKI and the wider racing community. I am comfortable bringing people together, working through competing needs and finding practical solutions. I would contribute to a coordinated race calendar that supports athlete development and is achievable for host mountains, clubs and volunteers.

My governance and business experience has taught me the value of clear responsibilities, sound financial decisions and accountability. I am honest and straightforward, willing to listen to different views and prepared to have difficult conversations when needed.

Above all, I would bring a commitment to the wider sport, looking beyond the interests of my own club to support decisions that strengthen alpine ski racing across New Zealand.