Opal Admin
October 3, 2025
Club News
Club Weekend 2025
Opal Admin
Opal Admin
What a great Club Weekend we had!
It was an early rise with the Club Race at 9.00am (!!!) on Little Buller Spur, which saw enthusiastic competition for the fastest skier. Same old jostling for position with Chris Berechree, Michael Benson and Pete Vanderzee looking as reassured as ever and Shai Ashkanasy glowing confidence for the hat trick! Nothing like some new blood as Zara Gutmann and Hunter Stockton lined up for their first race.
As normal, the tension and boasting rose to a crescendo throughout the dinner as John Stella finalised his four hours of manipulation (oops! I meant algorithmic analysis) to determine the 2025 Club Champion.
The result was a good one! Mary-Anne Cariss is a worthy winner for the first time, congratulations were all round.
No surprises in the fastest skiers with Shai Ashkanasy and Michael Benson blowing the opposition away … AGAIN.
The dinner in the evening was a Spanish theme with Spanish-themed place mats and posters made by Erica Berechree adding to the occasion.
We had bull fighters to bulls, soccer players to female Flamenco dancers and even Picasso adding to the excitement.
The meal was Spanish through and through with Empanadas, Chorizo in red wine, Spanish romesco dip and melon and jamon accompanied with a glass or two of Sangria; Spanish Chick Pea Soup; Chicken & Chorizo Stew with beans and potatoes, followed by Basque Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse with Pedro Ximina and bizocho drunken cake.
WOW, what a feast thanks to Bev Bjornesjo and Zena Marzi for organising the menu, preparing and cooking, Mary-Anne Cariss for cooking, and Effie and Erica Berechree again for the thankless task of cooking and the Berechree’s TESTING the sweets.
And of course, the many helpers preparing dinner at the lodge, Margaret and Bri, and the Breakfast Maestros, Stuart Cariss and Zena. Not forgetting all attending who helped with serving and cleaning up.
