N.Z. team for ice ‘test’

Press, 6 July 1977, Page 42

N.Z. team for ice ‘test’

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The postponement of the Canterbury short-track ice skating championships at Lake Ida last week-end — through lack of ice — did little to help the selectors choose the New Zealand team to compete against Australia for the Tasman Trophy this month.

The provincial championships would have been a good guide for the selectors, but the panel (Messrs J. Kramer, B. Blair and P. R. Silcock) had their hand forced.

Submitted times and probably past performances played an essential part in the naming of the national team which will try to prevent Australia winning the “test” for the fourth successive year. The New Zealand team is: Senior men.— Mark Atkinson, Neil Hawker, Jan

Havenaar (Christchurch), Ken Howie (Invercargill). Reserve: Mike Day (Christchurch). Junior men: John Adams (Christchurch), Ross Jensen (Auckland). Reserve: Tony Galvin (Christchurch). Women: Sue Blair, Nancy Sykes (Christchurch), Reserve: Michelle Madden tChristchurch).

Unfortunately, New Zealand’s chance of repeating its only win in the first contest in 1973, has suffered a severe set-back through the non-availability of the outstanding Dutch-born skater, Ans Kremer. Her powerful style and strength would have been of considerable benefit to New Zealand in the women’s events.

Also, the promising Debbie Cade, who represented New Zealand against Australia in Sydney last year is not on the scene this season.

Sue Blair (nee Phillips) is a courageous skater, but the longer events often trip her I

and New Zealand is not likely to score as well in the women’s events as it would have with the inclusion of Miss Kremer. New Zealand should be well served by John Adams and Ross Jensen in the junior men’s events. Adams is the country’s most polished skater and the speedy Jensen created a favourable impression at the lake last year when he dominated the New Zealand junior shorttrack and long-track titles.

The Australian senior men’s team does not appear as strong as previously and the New Zealand senior team — if lacking a star speedster — is determined to perform well. Mark Atkinson should be prominent in the shorter events, and Ken Howie, Neil Hawker, and Jan Havenaar, although they lack basic speed, have the ability to force and sustain a strong pace in the long-track events.