WORLD TOUR BEGINS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 20

WORLD TOUR BEGINS

Skating In 7 Countries A 28,000-mlle overseas tour embracing seven countries began for the New Zealand roller skating team when it left Christchurch Airport on Saturday evening. The team, consisting of six speed skaters and six figure skaters will be away for 30 days; during that time it will compete in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, England and America. Mr I. Hughes, of Christchurch, who prepared the speed skaters for the tour, said the team would be seeking two things: success and experience. The figure skaters, he said, would be doing well if they gained places in the middle of the fields at the world artistic championships in Essen, Germany.

But the speed skaters were expected to gain higher places in international competition. Different members of the team could come to the fore during the tour, depending on the type of track surfaces encountered.

The speed skaters, who will contest about 15 races each overseas, are G. Brader, G. Halles (Masterton), G. M. Glover (Christchurch). Misses J. Williamson (Nelson), M. MacDonald (Masterton) and R. Alexander (Christchurch).

The figure skaters are A. Weidenbohm (Cambridge) and Miss S. Litchwark (Auckland), dance pair; R. Lindsay (Auckland), men’s solo; and Misses H. Morton, C. Rumsey (Palmerston North) and L. Martin (Te Aroha), women’s solo.