Jack Russell Scott has become an informal mascot at the Naseby Ice Adventure Park, always present when his owner, Maniototo Ice Rink chairman Jock Scott, is there.
‘‘He’s been here all his life - just like me,’’ Mr Scott said.
The 9-year-old purebred Jack Russell was a great companion but also great entertainment and encouragement to skaters, curlers and lugers, Mr Scott said.
‘‘He chases the curling stones around. And when there are lugers on the track he’s often racing down beside them alongside the track.’’
Jack Russell Scott’s winter duties for the 2017 season have just begun, as the ice rink opened yesterday.
‘‘All we need is a good few frosts. We have a snowmaking machine, so all we need is about three nights with frosts and three days with snowmaking to pack it down and open. What we want is really cold weather.’’
This year there will be two luge coaches: Adam Jedrzejko, of Poland, who has already arrived for his third season coaching at Naseby, and Veronika Halder, of Austria, who will arrive at the end of this month.
Both were high-achieving, respected northern hemisphere lugers who would contribute much to the Naseby Ice Adventure Park through their coaching and were looking forward to a season in the southern winter, Mr Balme said.
A full calendar of events is planned at the Naseby Ice Adventure Park, including luge camps, the New Zealand luge championships and skating and curling events.
