Complacency risk —skating manager

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34044, 7 January 1976, Page 3

Complacency risk —skating manager

(By

BOB SCHUMACHER)

In spite of a gold medal by Karen Treloar (Christchurch) and a bronze by Peter Maxwell (Masterton) at the 1975 world road speed rollerskating championships in Italy, New Zealand skating cannot afford to be 'complacent. Such is the opinion of the team manager, Mr Colin Birchall — himself an international competitor — in his report on the championships to the New Zealand Federation.

Mr Birchail considered that l the main problem was to build race teamwork. “I feel it would be wise to emulate the Italians’ example and prepare squads. The final selection of the Italian team to compete in Milan was not made until two days before, and the entire squad of five; men and women trained under the careful scrutiny of the team manager who made • the final selection,” he said. The fast pace of the races impressed the New Zealanders. *‘l am now convinced that our road racing in New Zealand with a very slow pace , interspersed with an occasional sprint will never bring (our standard to that of the I Europeans,” Mr Birchail said. "We must revise many of our" training methods and look very closely at some of the, ideas on technique which "have been in vogue until now.” The New Zealand skaters ■ had not received much help! from the Italian organisers to, get hold of suitable wheels: (“A new wheel had been ; manufactured specially for the championships, but stocks; of these had been exhausted: by the time we arrived. There was reluctance to provide the j New Zealand team with wheels, and it was only after (we had suggested that the, IltaJian team might have the, same problem at the world championships in New Zea-; land in 1977 that the wheels magically appeared.” Mr Birchail suggested in ■ his report that for the 1977 world championships in New ( Zealand any local wheels suitable for the conditions should be made available to ( all competitors. “Failure to;! do this creates ill-feeling ; among teams which is often “ reflected in the racing.” li On the subject of the 1977;' 'world titles, Mr Birchail felt :

that it was essential the meeting be a national concern and undertaken on a grand scale. He thought the Italian Federation had left too much to the organising club.