N.Z. Excels In Roller Skating

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31774, 3 September 1968, Page 17

N.Z. Excels In Roller Skating

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND.

The New Zealand representative roller skating team, of 48 men and women, returned from Australia as one of the most decorated national teams to attend an international tournament.

In some events, such as the senior women’s speed skating, New Zealanders won first, second and third. During the tournament, which lasted from August 26 to September 1, the team won medals in all events it contested.

“The team found that the wooden floor of the rink was very fast and they took a couple of days to get used to it,” said the team manager (Mr W. Giles) yesterday. “The Australian standard has improved fantastically and this is due to New Zealand coaches, all of whom are former New Zealand champions, who are teaching in Australia, mainly in Brisbane and South Australia." G. Litt, of Christchurch, won four of the five races he contested in the senior men’s speed section, and in the intermediate men’s speed section M. Rushton, also of Christchurch, won three races out of four. New Zealanaers were outstanding in the dances. Miss L. Giles and D. Graham won the senior dance pairs and brought back the sole trophy for this section. P. McArthur (Napier) won the senior men’s freestyle and the figures. Miss Carolyn Rumsey (Palmerston North) came first in the women’s figures, and second in the freestyle.

M. Newman (Palmerston North) was successful in the intermediate freestyle and figures, and Bruce and Marie Lindsay (Cambridge) won the open free dance and the intermediate dance. Miss S. Hodder (Rotorua) won the junior freestyle and figures.