ICE-SKATING EVENTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27429, 16 August 1954, Page 5

ICE-SKATING EVENTS

CHAMPIONSHIPS AT CENTAURUS RINK Watching ice-skating on a cold day is a cold pastime, but the Centaurus Rink was full for the Canterbury provincial ice-skating championships yesterday. The set figure-skating was held in the morning, but the free-skating, dancing, pairs skating, and speed events were held in the afternoon, half an hour behind schedule because of the power cut. In the free skating, in which each skater does a figure routine of his or her own, each movement was fairly standardised, variations being individual mannerisms and different orders. The women completely outshone the men in this event. In the pairs events, there were several very graceful combinations, and in their interpretation of the waltz, fox-trot, and tango the pairs used such a variety of figures that each was a fresh experience. The speed events held were fast and spectacular, but the main races were run at Lake Ida some time agp. J. Dowling and Miss’ R. Dickson outclassed their opponents in the men’s and women’s races. The wife of the president of the New Zealand Ice-Skating Association (Mr E. Millton) presented trophies as follows: 880 Yards, men, Stirton Cup (speed): J. Dowling. 880 Yards, women. Stirton Cup (speed): Miss R. Dickson. Inter-club challenge cup: Centaurus Club. Gwen Jones pairs cups: Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald. Women’s figure skating, Milton Cup: Miss R. Dickson. Kirkpatrick dancing cups: Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald. Men’s figure skating: Canterbury Ice skating club’s cup: I. McDonald. Women’s cup (speed): Miss R. Dickson. Men’s cup (speed): J. Dowling. Results were:— Figure skating:—Women: Miss R. Dickson 1, Miss L. Withey 2. Men: I. McDonald 1, J. Dowling 2. Pairs skating: Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald 1, Miss L. Withey and J. Dowling 2. Dancing: Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald 1, Miss R. Dickson and K. Stikkelman 2. Speed events—Women: two laps, Miss R. Dickson 1, Miss A. Dowley 2; four laps, Miss Dickson 1, Miss J. Kirkness 2. Men: four laps, J. Dowling, 1, D. Cassedy 2; six laps, J. Dowling 1, J. Vandergrin 2.