Four Roller Skating Medals To N.Z.

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31786, 17 September 1968, Page 15

Four Roller Skating Medals To N.Z.

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) MONTECCHIO MAGGIORE (North Italy). A New Zealand girl, Miss M. Macdonald, of Masterton, has won the gold medal for the women’s roller skating elimination speed test, at the world championships in Italy.

She just beat Miss R. Alexander, of Christchurch, who took the silver medal.

In the men's 10.000 metres. D. Hayes (Hastings) and G. Glover (Christchurch) were second and third, behind A. Ferrara (Italy). Miss Macdonald was fifth in the 3000 metres speed test. Italy, which until then had taken all four gold, four silver, and two bronze medals, continued its success with two more gold medals and a silver medal. Good Recovery

Only a week before the team flew from Christchurch for the championships, Miss Macdonald suffered severe abrasions to her legs, arms and face in a training smash. For several days she could only hobble round on a walking stick and all training was stopped while she underwent extensive physiotherapy. She managed to pass a special medical test just before the team left and last week the manager of the national side telephoned from Italy that she was back to her best form. Glover Hurt

However, the delight of the New Zealand team at the girls’ success was tempered by disappointment after a nasty crash involving Glover. Glover fell heavily in the 20,000 metres men's final when he was badly jostled

while attempting to make a break 900 metres from home, the national coach (Mr I. Hughes) heard in Christchurch yesterday on receiving a toll call from the team manager (Mr R. Young). Mr Young said that the Italians had considered Glover a chief threat to their supremacy and used team tactics to box him in and jostle him.

Glover was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured wrist. However, he was released after an overnight stay and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres. He was forced to withdraw from the 1000 metres.

After the two-day championships, Italy had scored 266 points in the men's events. Belgium finished second with 228 and Britain third with 220.

Italian women led strongly with 160 points from Belgium, second with 117, and New Zealand third with 95. New Zealand was eighth in

the men’s events with 116 points. Results were:— Men’s 10,000 metres: A. Ferrari (Italy), 20:33.19, 1: D. Hayes (New Zealand), 20:33.52, 2: G. Glover (New Zealand), 20:33.74, 3; W. Raes (Belgium). 4. Women's 3000 metres: P. Cuevas (Spain). 5:58.4. 1: A. Vianello (Italy), 5:58.28. 2: A. Massazza (Italy), 5:58.66, 3: A. Lambrechts (Belgium), 4; M. Macdonald (New Zealand). 5. Women's 500 metres elimination speed test: M. Macdonald (New Zealand), 1:00.3, 1; R. Alexander (New Zealand), 1:00.5, 2; A. Vianello (Italy), 1:01.6, 3. Men's 20,000 metres: F. Vigano (Italy). 40min 01.28 sec. 1: W. Raes (Belgium). 40:01.38, 2: R. de RlJke (Belgium), 40:01.58, 3; P. Chapuls (France), 4. Men's 1000 metres elimination speed test: P. Cantarella (Italy), 2:17.8, 1; C. Ruggeri (Italy), 2:18.7, 2; P. Delgado (Spain). 2:54.2, 3: M. Hoffman (Germany), 2:54.4. 4. Trophy of the nations (10,000 metres relay): P. Cantarella and A. Ferrari (Italy), 50 points. 1: Narciandl and Ravaldl (Argentina), 46 points, 2; W. Raes and R. de Rlyke (Belgium). 37, 3: E. Becu and F. Becu (Belgium). 36, 4: M. MacGeoh and i J. Folley (Britain), 30. 5. |