Begg accepts Australian skating offer

Press, 25 February 1978, Page 56

Begg accepts Australian skating offer

Bv

BOB SCHUMACHER

Bill Begg, an experienced international roller skater.; will not be available for the world track championships' at Mar del Plata. Argentina. 1 from May 25 to 28.

A member of the team, that attended the last' championships ar the samel venue in 1975, Begg, who) has contributed much of his spare time to help young, South Island skaters, has' accepted a position ini Brisbane. The Timaru skater said that he had received offers; from Australia previously! and had decided at last to) accept a permanent position ! He will leave soon after Easter to coach and promote, speed skating. The 1978 New Zealand; banked-track championships, at Hastings at Easter will serve as a trial to select the team, which is likely to consist of four men and four women.

There are likely to be some changes from the team that represented New Zealand in 1975. Peter Maxwell (Masterton), the country’s outstanding skater, can be regarded as a certainty.

But Begg will be missing and there are doubts whether Stephen CarwellCooke (Palmerston North)

will be available. Colin Harvey (Wellington), the fourth member three years ago, has experienced indifferent form lately. Calvin Gabites (Timaru) has proved his ability on banked tracks. Gabites, Robert and Barry Green (Napier), and Wayne Millar (Timaru) are all in the running for positions, while Mark Urlich (Hastings) and Ross Gabites (Timaru) must rate as outside prospects.

I With Cheryl Millar ) (Canterbury) not available. i the women’s team has sorted | itself out. Karen Yorke, the jworld 5000 m champion, is i making a come-back after 'retiring towards the end of I last year. I Mrs Yorke (Canterbury) is ian athletic person with an abundance of natural ability. She should quickly gain the necessary fitness,’ but said that the trip depended on whether she would be able it o receive financial 'assistance from her club. ißolierdrome. The seasoned (international, Christine Rowe (Hastings), Carol I Easton (Levin), and Maree I Maxwell (Masterton) were the top senior competitors at the national road championships last January and should team with Mrs Yorke if a full squad is sent.