Skater sixth

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 29

Skater sixth

NZPA Karlsruhe A Palmerston North artistic roller skater, Lisa Hirst, was lying sixth at the halfway mark of the World Games tournament yesterday. Hirst, aged 19, and ranked No. 11 in the world, completed her 2min routine, worth 25 per cent of the total mark, with scores of between 4.7-4.9 out of a possible 6.0. The competition leader, the world No. 1, Raffaella del Vianccio, of Italy, averaged 5.6-5.8. Skaters are assessed on technical merit and artistic impression. Today’s routine will be 4min long and will make up the remaining 75 per cent of the mark. Hirst was slightly disappointed by her performance. “I thought I was a little bit

cautious. I know I could have done better, but it was okay.” “Hopefully I’ll be able to pull up one or two places tomorrow,” she said last evening. The field of eight includes skaters from the United States, Italy, Great Britain, West Germany, Argentina, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. Five of the competitors have a higher world ranking than Hirst. Hirst’s No. 11 world ranking is based on her performance at last year’s world championships in Florida. She has competed at the last five world championships. Two years ago, when they were held in New Zealand, she was ranked eighth, the first time a New Zealander has made the top 10.