SKATING RIVALS ARE FRIENDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 37, 14 February 1939, Page 14

SKATING RIVALS ARE FRIENDS.

A TITLE EACH TO MEGAN AND CECILIA.

PRAGUE, February 13. Miss Megan Taylor (Britain) retained the world championship for women figureskating. An American, Miss Hedi Stennf, was second, and Miss Daphne Walker (Britain), third. A bruised tendon prevented Miss Cecilia Colledge (Britain) from competing. In January last Cecilia Colledge retained her title of European ice skating champion at Earl's Court, London, beating Megan Taylor, the world champion, by 11 points. Miss Taylor skated magnificently, far better than she did at Wembley in the English championship, says an English critic. Cecilia, however, skating after Megan— and she likes to do so—was in inspired form, and she just managed to beat her rival by 1848.5 points to 1837.4. Directly Cecilia off the ice Megan rushed up to her and shook her warmly by the hand, saying, "Well done. I don't know what the result is yet, but you were marvellous."

The champion linked arms with the girl with whom some time ago she was not supposed to he on speaking terms.

Even before the result was announced Megan said, "I know I am definitely second. There it is; it can't be helped. I did my best, but apparently it was not just good enough."

Little Daphne Walker, who was again in wonderful form in her free-skating, but lost marks in the figure-skating, was third on points.