“But there was still some quality skating, particularly in the women’s section.” South Canterbury’s Charlotte Clarke won the women’s 50km in 1 hour, 36 minutes and 52 seconds, with Erin Green, of Blenheim, finishing second (1.41.46) and South Canterbury’s Roshean O Connor coming third (1.42.16). “Charlotte had been battling injuries, including a broken bone in her foot, but she’s come back and recovered in good shape,” Begg said. “The marathon race was ideal for her, as it was less intense than the sprints.” South Canterbury’s Callum Sandri won the Junior Boys’ 25km event with a time of 1 hour, 09 minutes, 36.41 seconds, narrowly beating teammate Brayden Teague (1.09.38.50), while fellow South Canterbury skater Tom Crawford recovered from a fall to get back in the action and finish in third place (1.09.52.16).
“As a result, there were crashes galore by our skaters.” Begg said standout individuals were Kyla Beveridge, who won the juvenile 300 and 800 metres race, with Grace Worner and Lauren Crawford finishing 2nd and 3rd in both, bringing the tally to six podium clean sweeps for this grade. In the primary girls section, Mia Rich won the 200m time trial and was 3rd in the 800m which teammate Oceania Purukamu won after being 3rd in the 200m time trial. Meanwhile, Callum Sandri took out the juvenile 300m time trial and 800m race, and Jan Kuepper finished third in the senior men s 300m time trial.
Richard Benson/Supplied
Action from the men’s 15 kilometre elimination race one day one of the New Zealand Speedskating Championships on Tuesday. In front is Keaton Swindells, of South Canterbury, with other South Canterbury skaters Kaylum McAuley (red and black helmet) and Jan-Hendrik Kuepper at rear. McAuley finished 3rd, Swindells was 5th and Hendrik Kuepper was eliminated towards the end.
South Canterbury speed skaters got off to a flying start at the New Zealand Championships in Whanganui. With 26 of the 54 road titles decided on day one on December 29, the South Canterbury Speed Skating Club leads the pack with 12 titles, ahead of Whanganui (five), Otago (four), Nelson (two), Upper Hutt (one), Auckland (one) and Hamilton (one).