4:30pm N.Z.
Today was the second event of the Nationals for 1997 up at Cardrona. A record number of competitors lined up for the Wools of New Zealand Slalom held on the All Nations run off the double chair. The snow condition was soft/medium packed powder, which meant competitors faced a very challenging course with the ruts that formed throwing many people. The weather was perfect for most of the day although for the final runs of the event white out conditions added an extra variable. An added highlight of the day was a partial eclipse of the sun viewable through the cloud cover. It was also great to see a mega sound system blasting out the tunes all day long.

The format for the event was dual slalom elimation, with all competitors initially having two runs to determine the top 16 men and the top 8 women from each course. After this timed qualification it was shear head to head knock out with the best of two runs advancing to the next round. The junior mens section saw some impressive runs from Queenstown's Barnaby Newton storming into first place. The standard of riding in the senior mens section was exceptionally high and over an epic 10 run duel it was Marc Begg who once again took first place followed by Antoine Pellaud, Al Bashi and Martin Sporli.

After yesterdays defeat in the G.S Pam Bell was out to prove herself, and she rode hard over a long day to take out first place followed by Austrian Sabina Blassnig and third place getter Josiane Bruneau from Canada. Other top Kiwi's Lee O'Connor and Louisa Muir rode well but with pressure from an impressive field failed to advance to the finals.