Stuart Blakely competed in alpine skiing at the 1976 Innsbruck and 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.

Stuart grew up in a skiing family as his older sister, Margot Blakely, had competed in alpine skiing at the Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics, so he honed his skills on New Zealand’s slopes from a young age. By his late teens, Stuart had emerged as a national talent in downhill and slalom, earning selection to the New Zealand Olympic team at just 19 years of age for the XII Winter Games in Innsbruck, 1976.

Stuart was one of only five New Zealand athletes competing at Innsbruck and had the honour of being New Zealand’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony.

On the icy alpine courses, Stuart faced the world’s best skiers in what was, remarkably, his first major race experience in Europe. Competing in the men’s downhill, he finished 53rd in that event and then went on to place 35th in the slalom. He did not finish the giant slalom that year but simply qualifying and completing most races was an achievement for the rookie Olympian.

Returning to the world stage four years later at the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics, more experienced and in his mid-twenties. He was once again chosen as New Zealand’s flag bearer, leading the New Zealand team into the opening ceremony just as he had in 1976. On the slopes of Lake Placid, Stuart delivered an improved performance in the downhill, racing boldly to finish 32nd in a strong international field. However, as in 1976, the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing proved challenging and Stuart was unable to complete his runs in the slalom and giant slalom in 1980, recording DNFs.

After Lake Placid, Stuart stepped back from elite competition, but his passion for the sport and Olympic ideals endured. He returned to live in his hometown of Christchurch and remained involved in the skiing community in New Zealand.

Stuart Blakely

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