Skating tour unlikely

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 52

Skating tour unlikely

The odds are very much against the world and Winter Olympic ice dance champions, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, visiting New Zealand after their Australian tour in May, according to the president of the New Zealand Ice Skating Association, Mr Terry Walls, of Christchurch. Mr Walls said that he had talked to the New Zealand general manager of the American Express company, Mr Maurice Mehlhopt, who said that no particular contract had been offered and that he was not interested without a con-

tract. Mr Walls said that it was “extremely unlikely” that the English ice skaters, whose imaginative, brilliant free dance displays have made them household names throughout the world, would be seen in New Zealand after their Australian performances. The time factor was also against the organising of a visit.

Finding a suitable venue was yet another problem. Mr Walls said that Auckland had a full-sized international rink, but the seating capacity was limited.

“You might get 1500 in, 2000 at a squeeze. In Auckland they were talking about putting in a temporary rink at the Stanley Street tennis courts.” If the skaters came to Christchurch, Mr Walls considered the King Edward barracks as a possible indoor venue. He had done some calculation on size and the area was comfortably long enough but a little short in width. “The seating should be good at each end. It would have to be worked out properly but I guess you could seat about 4000.”