Useful lead to Aust. skaters

Press, 20 July 1979, Page 24

Useful lead to Aust. skaters

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Australia is nicely poised to retain the Tasman Trophy speed skating series against New Zealand after finishing the shdrt-track series with a 21-point lead (86-65). The Australian team intended to familiarise itself with the outdoor circuit at Lake Ida last Sunday, but a heavy snowfall closed the lake that day. For some of the Australian team, unused to outdoor skating, the cold, driving wind and wet ice — the 110 m circuit on the enclosure at Lake Ida had to be relaid twice — proved a handicap, but its experienced senior men’s team ensured that Australia took a useful Head. There is some doubt whether the Icing-track competition will be raced. Only a small portion of the main lake is covered with ice. although there is a chance with a good frost last evening, that a 400 m track might be marked at Little Lake Ida. Only the Tasman Trophy races were held on Wednesday when conditions were miserable, but yesterday the: ice was solid and reasonably smooth for the New Zealand short-track championships. The championships were open to the Australians for record purposes although the national titles must be won by New Zealand skaters. Apart from a bold showing by Mark Atkinson (Canterbury) in the 1500 m and by Ken Howie (Southland), who was only just' pegged back on the last corner in the 3000 m, the Australian senior men’s team mustered most points. Phil Wilton, skating for Australia for the first time in the annual competition, was the outstanding junior, and according to the Australian manager (John Bradbury), the Outstanding Australian in the short-track series.

But New Zealand had its say. in the women’s contests where Ans Kremer (Westland) and Debbie . . Cade ( C a n t e r b u r,y.) did exceptionally well , to outscore their Australian rivals. Miss Cade won the 500 m and Miss Kremer, an outdoor specialist, showed her strength with decisive victories in the two longer races.

The national-senior men’s 3000 m yesterday was. an enthralling final. No-one was really interested in making a breakaway in the early stages of the 15-lap race, although Michael Richmond established a useful break after two laps only to stand up and let the field regain contact much to the ire of some vopal Australian supporters. It remained a rather tame affair until 1200 m from the finish when Rod Bates and Bob Montgomery made their moves. They got away by 15m with 800 m remaining, but Montgomery was first to feel the strain and he was quickly gathered, in by the favoured hunch, comprising the Australians, Richmond Stewart and Shane Warren with New Zealand’s top hope, Mark Atkinson, separating Stewart and Warren.

Bates looked set for a comfortable win as he passed the 600 m with a 25m lead over Richmond, Stewart and Atkinson. At that point both Stewart and Atkinson 'started to sprint hard and, although Bates still led with 400 m remainirig, he was (caught by Stewart .starting the final 200 m and Atkinson also swept past the New South Wales skater. Stewart, a strong and confident skater, was always in command over the final circuit, but there was much to admire in the gutsy performance of Atkinson who held second from Warren, Richmond and Howie, the tiring Bates, and Montgomery (Canterbury).