Young skaters shine in Whanganui tour event

Young South Canterbury speed skaters had success in the recent Tour of Whanganui.

The club’s coach Bill Begg said the younger skaters who travelled to Whanganui dominated their juvenile grade.

‘‘All skated very good and also bagged most of the placings and collected overall prizes, with Brayden Teague first, Lauren Crawford second, and Georgia Kortright third, which had them looking very well placed for the forthcoming New Zealand championships.’’

Begg said South Canterbury’s skaters faced a more daunting task in the cadets category.

‘‘Former juvenile champions Kyla Beveridge and Callum Sandri, moving up to first year cadet skaters in a three-year age group, encountered some skaters two years older and physically stronger.

‘‘Callum picked up a second and a number of third placings to finish third overall behind Palmerston North’s Nathan Bedford and Whanganui’s Micky Zhang, with an improving Tom Crawford, narrowing the gap on his top opponents.’’

Meanwhile Begg is not happy the road and indoor nationals in Timaru in January have been called off. He said the decision was confirmed a week ago.

‘‘Myself, along with a number of clubs, were upset about the decision and protested strongly to the national body to please review the decision.

‘‘The outcome is that the Timaru club will hold racing and the Tour of Timaru during these dates, January 3-8, and hopefully a number of North Island skaters can still attend,’’ Begg said.

‘‘The national body has proposed shifting the New Zealand road and track championships to Easter.

‘‘And with Easter being too early for the proposed Oceania Championships, it will be considered later and mostly held during the school holidays or later.’’