The sixteenth running of the event coincided with the Athens Olympics and acquired some Olympic spirit of its own with the late entry of Steggall. The law student and paralegal also won the slalom at the 1999 World Skiing Championships.

A large field of enthusiastic practitioners took to the slopes at Thredbo on 14 August, not daunted by several days of wild weather in the lead up to the event.

Steggall and Sweeney were first down the course and their impressive form inspired all racers who followed. The consistency of the Mallesons A Team was sufficient to secure the team trophy, ahead of PwC, Corrs, Moray & Agnew and Clayton Utz. The composite teams were led home by Steggall Composite, followed by AON Composite.

Held beneath snowy skies and on an already deep cover of snow, the event attracted skiers of all standards, from beginner all the way through to Olympic.

The weekend culminated with a race dinner which included door prizes from the sponsors of one of Thredbo’s largest winter events, including Volvo, Travelplan Ski Holidays, Thredbo Ski Resort, Rossignol, Dolman Legal, Frog Rock Wines, AXXIA Systems, Maui Jim and Lanier. Corporate advisory partner John Sullivan of Mallesons not only took away a pair of skis but also a Canadian ski holiday to Fernie

With a spectacular tumble at the finish, in which he managed to wipe out another competitor, Robert Gibson of Mallesons carried off the prize for best fall — a private ski lesson donated by Thredbo.

Next year’s race is scheduled to take place at Thredbo on 20 August 2005.