Speed skaters glide away with record national title
South Canterbury has cleaned up at the national speed skating championships again to win the overall title for a record eighth consecutive year.
Before the 2019 championships began in Palmerston North on New Years Day, the Manawatu¯ (2005-2011) and South Canterbury (2011-2017) regions had shared the record for the longest winning streak.
At the five-day event, which wrapped up on Saturday, South Canterbury recorded 228 points and nabbed 55 of the 108 available New Zealand titles to claim the Unity Shield, well ahead of second-placed Whanganui (179 points and 24 New Zealand titles.)
South Canterbury also secured six of the eight age-group championship trophies on Saturday.
Coach Bill Begg said it was a particularly satisfying result, especially considering there were only 22 in the South Canterbury squad, as some skaters had other commitments or were injured.
Among the standouts were Kyla Beveridge, who was awarded the trophy for an outstanding performance at the national championships by a female speed skater, after she won seven of the eight primary titles, and set two new road records and one new track record.
‘‘We didn’t necessarily think it would be a fast course this year, but Kyla proved us wrong,’’ Begg said.
‘‘But really, we had so many skaters step up to the block. I couldn’t be happier with their efforts.’’
Another successful skater was Callum Sandri, who won the primary boys’ trophy, after winning four titles on the road and four titles on the track.
Charlotte Clarke won the intermediate women’s trophy and Keaton Swindells the intermediate men.
Although there was no senior awards handed out this year, South Canterbury’s Dale Christoffersen, 26, was a comfortable winner in the senior 1500m title, as well as teaming up with Leah McDonald in the senior mixed pairs (1200m), along with the senior mixed four relay 3200m with McDonald, Keaton Swindells and Jazmyn McAuley.
Other trophy winners for South Canterbury included Charli Nevin (junior girls) Kaylum McAuley (junior boys).
Begg said there was a strong culture of winning in the squad.
‘‘The whole club is really lucky in terms of the facilities we have in Timaru. I think we can sometimes take this for granted.
‘‘We’ve got a wide diversity of people involved, which is good.’’
Begg said the club were also lucky with equipment in particular.
‘‘We have more resources than a lot of clubs, especially when it comes to getting the right-sized skates for each of the skaters.’’
The 2020 New Zealand Indoor Track and Road championships will be held in Timaru at Levels Raceway and the Southern Trust Events Centre.