Mark Atkinson dominates speed skating

Press, 22 July 1980, Page 30

Mark Atkinson dominates speed skating

New Zealand’s top skater, Mark Atkinson, of Canterbury, dominated the national speed skating championships at the Manorburn Dam at the week-end. Seven national records were broken in the shorttrack events, Atkinson being responsible for three of them. The New Zealand test skater set new marks in the senior men’s 1000 m, 1500 m, and 3000 m. Barry Kereama (Southland), who skated against Australia last year, was unable to match Gary Wilson (Canterbury) in the long-track, races, but he was seen at his best in the shorttrack events, winning, all three in New Zealand record time.

The outstanding Westland competitor, Ans Kremer, was in a class of her own in the senior women’s races. She improved ; her own national record in the 1500 m race and eclipsed her old time by a remarkable Ils.

Results:— Long-track Senior men.—soom: M. Atkinson (Canterbury) 47.0, 1; M. Day (Canterbury), 51.4, 2; J. H. Havenaar (Canterbury). 52.5, 3. 1500 m: Atkinson, 2:42.5, 1; Day, 2:45.6, 2; R. Keddell (Southland), 2:54.8, 3. 5000 m: Atkinson, 9:34.6. 1; Day, 9:44.9, 2; Havenaar, 10:31.5, 3. 10,000 m: Atkinson. 20:18.9, 1; Day, 20:55.9, 2; Keddell, 22:23.4, J. Intermediate men. —500 m: G. Wilson (Canterbury), 48.0. 1; B. Kereama (Southland), 49.1, 2; Jon Havenaar (Canterbury), 51.3, 3. 1500 m: Wilson. 2:44.9, 1; Kereama, 2:52.5, 2; Havenaar, 2:55.6, 3. 3000 m: Kereama, 5:44.4, 1; Wilson, 5:45.3, 2; Havenaar, 6:14.9,

3. 5000 m: Wilson, 10:43.0, 1; Havenaar, 11:15.1, 2; J. F'oggo (Southland), 11:26.9, 3. Junior men.—soom: R. Ross (Southland). 65.7, 1; J. Stock (Southland), 78.2, 2.1000 m: Ross, 2:33.4, 1; Stock, 2:44.5, 2.1500 m: Ross, 3:44.8, 1; Stock, 4:10.7, 2. Senior women. —500 m: Miss A. Kremer (Westland), 53.4, 1. 1000 m: Miss Kremer. 1:54.4. 1. 1500 m: Miss Kremer, 2:48.5, 1. 3000 m: Miss Kremer, 6:00.4, 1. 160 m dash.—Atkinson, 16.9, 1; Wilson, 17.3, 2; Keddell, 17.4, 3. Women: Miss Kremer, 19.9, 1. Aggregates.—Senior men: Atkinson 1, Day 2, Havenaar 3. Intermediate men: Wilson 1, Havenaar 2, Foggo 3. Junior men: • Ross 1, Stock 2. Women: Miss Kremer 1. Short-track Senior men.—soom: Atkinson 1, J. den Exter (Canterbury), 2, R. Coulter (Auckland), 3. Time: 57.0. 1000 m: Atkinson 1, den Exter 2. Time: 1:58.4 (N.Z. record). 15t)0m: Atkinson 1, den Exter ,2. Time: 3:11.7 (N.Z record) 3000 m: Atkinson 1 Time: 6:31.2 (N.Z. record). Intermediate men.—soom: Kereama 1, M Biggs (Auckland). 2. Wilson 3. Time: 59.0 (N.Z. record). 1000 m: Kereama 1, Wilson 2, Biggs 3. Time: 2:07.0 (N.Z. record). 1500 m: Kereama 1, Biggs 2, Wilson 3 Time: 3:10.2 (N.Z. record). Junior men.—soom: J. Jensen (Southland), 1; Ross 2; Stock 3. Time: 68.3. 1000 m: Jensen 1, Ross 2, Stock 3 Time: 2:20.4. 1500 m: Jensen 1, Ross 2. Time: 3:38.5.

Senior women.—soom: Miss Kremer 1, S. Culvin (Southland), 2. Time: 69.1. 1500 m: Miss Kremer 1. Time: 3:31.5 (N.Z. record).

Junior women.—2oom: S. Gameson (Canterbury). 1; R. Atkinson (Canterbury), 2. Time: 30.5. 500 m: Gameson 1, Atkinson 2. Time: 1:16.8.

Aggregate.—Senior men: Atkinson 1, dex Exter 2. Intermediate men: kereama 1, Biggs 2, Wilson 3. Junior men: Jensen 1, Ross 2. Stock 3. Senior women: Miss Kremer 1, Miss Culvin 2. Junior women: Miss Gameson 1, Miss Atkinson 2.