Hawkins is tipped for skating series

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 32

Hawkins is tipped for skating series

The New Zealand representative, Roger Hawkins, a convincing winner of all races in the recent Rollerdrome 50km two-day roller skating tour, should dominate the senior men’s events at the A.N.Z. South Island artistic and speed championships in Christchurch this week-end. Hawkins, a creditable sixth in the world 5000 m banked track final in the United States last month, is likely to encounter most opposition from his Rollerdrome club-mate and fellow international, Graeme Litt, and Calvin Gabites (South Canterbury). Gabites, also a national skater, was the only senior men’s contestant to win two road titles at the championships last year. On that occasion,

Hawkins was stamping his supremacy in the intermedi-’ ate grade, although he was beaten over 1000 m on the road by Michael Chesney (Otago), who will be among his rivals again. The senior women’s speed events have drawn a disappointing entry. Carol Clark (Rollerdrome) should improve , on her minor placings last year to take the title in the absence of Debbie O’Keefe and Joanne Gamble, of Otago. The intermediate competitions are expected to provide exciting and close racing. Two members of this year’s national junior development squad, Shane Hobbs and Michael Drummonk (both Rollerdrome), and'jjarin Paterson, of Ash-

burton, are a favoured trio in the boys’ events, while Angela Hawkins (Rollerdrome) and last year’s champibn girl on the track and road, Kim Hippolite (Nelson), are likely to cut clear of their opposition. Richard McHenry and Patty Warren (both Dunedin) are accomplished senior skaters in the artistic competitions. The meeting starts this evening with the figures at Canterbury Court. Track racing, freeskating and dancing will be held there all day tomorrow and again in the evening. The road racing will be at Carrs Road Raceway on Sunday morning, with freeskating, dance, track and relay finals at Canterbury Court on Sundaygnorning and afternoon, JR