ICE SKATING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 12

ICE SKATING

N,Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDED

MISS L. WITHEY WOMEN’S CHAMPION The New Zealand Ice skating championships were concluded at the Centaurus road rink, Christchurch, yesterday. Prizes won by competitors were presented by Mrs Eric Millton, wife of the president of the New Zealand Ice Skating Association. The winner of the women’s figure skating yesterday was Miss L. Withey (Canterbury), who gave a fine performance of interpretive free skating. Miss Withey has the poise and grace of a true champion and thoroughly deserved her win. Miss R. Dickson (Canterbury), who was second, also gave a very fine dashing performance, which drew loud applause from the large audience. The winners of the pairs event were Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald, brother and sister, who, aged 12 and 14 respectively, are among the most promts? ing ice skaters in Canterbury. Miss Gwen Jones, the Centaurus rink coach, is confident that these two will reach world standard within two years if they continue to improve.

The president of the New Zealand Ice Skating Association (Mr Eric Millton), congratulated the skaters on the high standard of their performances, and made a presentation to Mr R. Loughnan, president of the association from 1946 to 1950, in recognition of his services of restoring popularity in New Zealand to ice skating after the war. Results of yesterday’s events were:— Women’s Figures.—Miss X. Withey 1, Miss R. Dickson 2, Miss D. Murray (Centaurus) 3.

Pairs Skating.—Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald (Centaurus) 1, Miss L. Withey and J. Dowling (Centaurus) 2.

New Zealand Men’s Championship.—J. Dowling 1, I. McDonald 2, J. Gillies 3. New Zealand Women’s Championship.— Miss L. Withey 1, Miss R. Dickson 2, Miss D. Murray 3. New Zealand Dancing Championship.— Miss R. Dickson and K. Stikkelman (Centaurus) 1. Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald (Centaurus) 2, Miss C. Adie and J. Little (Mount Harper) 3. New Zealand Pairs Championship.— Miss L. McDonald and I. McDonald 1, Miss L. Withey and J. Dowling 2. New Zealand Waltzing Championship.— Miss R. Dickson and K. Stikkelman. Special awards were made as follows: Silver Wings.—Miss L. Withey and Miss R. Dickson. Bronze Medals.—Miss L. Withey, Miss R. Dickson, Mrs H. Schoutt, Miss P. Morey, Miss Brown, Miss J. McKendrey, Miss J. McVinhie, Miss P. Lang, Miss J. Wilson, Miss D. Murray, Lady Stewart, Miss L. McDonald, J. Little, I. McDonald, R. Mangos, G. Gillies, J. Dowling, K. Stikkelman. The judges were Mrs I. D. Wood (Christchurch), Professor J. Y. T. Greig (Dunedin), and Mr R. P. Hosken (Tekapo).