Aussies keen to join endurance series
An expanded 10-part speed skating competition spread over 2021 that aims to draw in Australian racers as the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble nears is under way in Timaru.
South Canterbury coach Bill Begg said he organised the series, set to finish in November with another marathon, to keep his senior skaters motivated while Covid-19 kept them from crossing blades with the world’s top competitors.
‘‘We’ve done six or seven rounds for a few years, but we’ve pushed it a bit harder this year to court some worthwhile competition.
‘‘For a decade, we [South Canterbury] have been the top club. We don’t want to lose that title, so we’ve got to keep moving.’’
Begg said he had been contacted by speed skaters from Australia keen to take part.
The trans-Tasman bubble, scheduled to open on April 19, gave athletes ‘‘a lot more options’’, Begg said.
The expanded competition, called the Southern Endurance series, is already under way with South Canterbury skaters dominating round two at Levels Raceway, Timaru, on Sunday with Charlotte Clarke winning the women’s 42-kilometre event in one hour, 19 minutes, and 26 seconds, and Kaylum McAuley taking out the men’s 42km in 1:20.45.
Begg said the standard of Sunday’s competition was ‘‘excellent, very impressive’’ with 36 speed skaters from Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Methven, and South Canterbury competing.
‘‘We’re pleased with the outcome,’’ he said.
Garth Jameson, of Nelson, won the masters men’s event (21km) in 45.09 and was second in the men’s 42km in 1:31.44.
Timaru’s Callum Sandri won the under 15 boys’ 21km in 47.56, while Geraldine’s Grace Worner finished just one second ahead of Blenheim’s Lily Pontague to win the under 15 girls’ 21km with 41.05.
Timaru’s Piper Hogenesch took the primary and novice 5km race with 17.03.
‘‘There were five young ones, about 12 years old, who were doing a half-marathon for the first time,’’ Begg said.