One newcomer in N.Z. skating team

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 36

One newcomer in N.Z. skating team

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Darren Graham, of Invercargill, is the only new representative in the New Zealand speed skating team for the Tasman Trophy ice skating te’st against Australia at Lake Ida from July 18 to 21.

Graham will partner his Southland team-mate, Barry Kereama, in the junior men’s races against the Australians who have won the trophy for the last five years.

The selection of Graham, who has been recording times comparable to the senior skaters in his province, comes as no surprise after his effortless clean sweep of the junior men’s races at the national small-track championships in Christchurch last month.

The Canterbury long-track championships at the weekend served as the final trial before the selection of the team yesterday. The team is (skaters from Canterbury unless stated otherwise). — Senior men:

Mark Atkinson, Dean Cade, Ken Howie (Southland), Robert Montgomery. Reserve: Jan Havenaar. Junior men: Kereama, Graham. Reserve: Gary Wilson. Women: Ans Kremer (Westland), Debbie Cade.

Lack of preparation has forced John Adams, a member of every New Zealand team since the inaugural contest in 1973, to declare himself not available, and another experienced national representative, Sue Blair, was forced to withdraw through injury.