R. J. Montgomery: Skater Of Rare Potential

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 15

R. J. Montgomery: Skater Of Rare Potential

TT is only 12 months since New Zealand’s most successful long track speed skater, I. B. McDonald, withdrew from active competition but already a very worthy replacement has been found. He is the stocky 18-year-old Christchurch skater, R. J. Montgomery, a speed enthusiast of rare potential, who captured the coveted national crown—the New Zealand aggregate title—in this, his first season as a senior. However, this tremendous achievement, unprecedented in the history of the sport in New Zealand, did not come easily. Many long hours training at the Centaurus ice rink under the watchful eye of his coach, friend and fellow competitor, J. H. Havenaar, intensive practice on specially imported two-wheeled roller skates during the summer months and all too few races at Lake Ida, went before success.

But even after this great preparation, he still had many bridges to cross before becoming New Zealand champion. He suffered an unexpected set-back in the Canterbury championships earlier in the season, being soundly beaten by another young skater of unusual promise, R. Falkingham, finally finishing third in the aggregate behind Havenaar without a single provincial title to his name.

To a competitor of lesser calibre, this would have meant the end of all his hopes but to Montgomery, whose most outstanding attributes are his great courage and stamina, this was only a temporary rebuff. He ptit his disappointments behind him for the New Zealand championships the following week and in the difficult conditions prevailing at the Manorburn Dam, the venue for the titles, he showed his true ability to narrowly emerge the victor. He won the New Zealand

1500 metres championship after Havenaar had crashed, was runner-up in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres and finished a creditable third in the 500 metres. The times were not exceptionally fast, in fact he did not dominate any of the championship events. His title was a reward for consistency rather than brilliance but for one so young to reach the top at his first attempt was a feat which must rank equally with many of the Dominion’s greatest sporting achievements.

In Montgomery, New Zealand has a speed skater of unlimited potential; a racer who could do much to accelerate the ever rising standards. He promises to become one of the greatest speed skaters ever produced in New Zealand and with the strong competition from his fellow club members, Falkingham and Havenaar, his continued improvement is virtually inevitable.