Tasman Trophy at stake

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 40

Tasman Trophy at stake

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Australia has held the ascendancy over New Zealand in the ice-skating tests between the two countries for the last five years and the Tasman Trophy is likely to return home with the Australians again this year. The international speed skating series starts today at Lake Ida with the long-track races, and continues tomorrow. The second half, the short-track events, will be held on Friday and Saturday. The New Zealand championships will be held in conjunction with the test series. New Zealand had an early set-back when Sue Blair, a member of the national team for the last four years, damaged tendons in her ankle after a mishap in training. There was a possibility that she may have recovered sufficiently for the test, but

withdrew in the interests of the team. It was unfortunate for Mrs Blair, who had been training hard for a year after just missing the Australian women’s aggregate title last year. However, the New Zealand team is possibly the strongest that it has been for years and will find the outdoor rink more suitable than the fast indoor rinks in Australia. Australia has an experienced team and will be especially formidable in the senior men’s races where Shane Warren, Ken Stewart, Michael Redmond and Rod Bates will give it a strong hand.

Last year’s Australian women’s champion, JudyAnn Baber, will appear at Lake Ida for the first time and she will be partnered by Vai Doratis, who revealed

her ability at the lake two years ago. Richmond will command much attention. He was rated among the world’s top juniors last year and greatly impressed Brian Blair, who coached the New Zealand team in Australia last year. New Zealand’s two junior skaters, Barry Kereama and Darren Graham (both Invercargill), will be hardpressed to keep pace with the swift Australian speedsters, Paul Williams and Phil Wilton. Williams was magnificent at Lake Ida two years ago, especially in the long-track events. The Queensland junior shattered the open record over 5000 m, his time of Bmin 30.7 s removing an amazing one minute off the previous record. Wilton, will be representing Australia for the first time, but the Sydney skater is most talented. Last winter he was with a contingent of

Sydney skaters who competed in the national championships. Although not eligible for the New Zealand titles, Wilton won seven of the eight intermediate races in times faster than the senior competitors. Mark Atkinson, after his recent successes in the Canterbury long-track and short-track championships, will head the national senior men’s challenge, supported by Dean Cade, Bob Montgomery and Ken Howie (Southland). All have previously competed against Australia. The evergreen Ans Kremer (Westland) has been in outstanding form this winter and should score some valuable points in the women’s races. Although Mrs Blair is missing, the return of Debbie Cade will give the New Zealand women its best team on the outdoor circuit for many years.