Cyclists pace roller skaters in training

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31763, 21 August 1968, Page 11

Cyclists pace roller skaters in training

ATEMBERS of the New " x Zealand roller skating team now in Christchurch recently found they could not go any faster without opposition. So Vivien Treloar, the daughter erf a former cyclist and roller skating administrator, Mr R. R. S. Treloar, was called in to pace the four squad members, G. E. Glover, D. Hayes, and Misses R. Alexander and M. Macdonald. However, Miss Treloar, who competes in novice events with the HornbyChristchurch club, soon discovered that her fastest was

not enough for Glover. So F. R. Hooper, one of the country’s leading cash cyclists, was added to the training team. The New Zealand coach, Mr I. R. Hughes, said the squad was training on the car club track at Ruapuna Park (where the cyclists assist) and on a shorter circuit at the Bishopdale shopping centre. The reasons where that New Zealand had no track comparable with that the skaters will meet in Italy at the world championships. Thus, the Ruapuna track helps develop “virtually

unlimited strength,” while the Bishopdale circuit develops technique. “In 10 days on the Italian track, we should be able to mould these two,” said Mr Hughes. He had asked the Italians what sort of times would be necessary for victory at the world championships, said Mr Hughes, and these marks were already being equalled in Christchurch. He also said that at Ruapuna, the skaters were doing better than 22 miles an hour in distance skating, and from 27 to 30 miles an hour in short bursts.