Speed skating: Kiwis the wheel deal

Rebecca Smith and Nicole Travers make their breakaway in the Junior Ladies' marathon race during the Oceania Speed Skating Championships in Palmerston North last week. Photo/Supplied

The New Zealand team, with five Wanganui representatives, retained the Oceania Trophy when they defended it against Australia for the ninth year in a row at the Oceania Speed Skating Championships.

Despite being evenly matched in competitor numbers, the New Zealanders' comfortable winning margin in Palmerston North last week was due in part to the Wanganui skaters' strong efforts.

Rebecca Smith dominated the Junior Ladies' class. She was crowned the overall champion by winning gold in the 20km elimination, 10km points, 1000m and the 42km marathon, as well as being part of the winning relay team.

Spokesman Ken Smith said securing the overall title had not been all smooth sailing because his daughter had to deal with a resurgent Daina Gibbs of the Manawatu club, who won the 200 time trial and the 500m, with Rebecca second both times.

"The 1000m finish was so close between the two that Smith was awarded the win only on a split decision by officials after a 15-minute deliberation."

Rebecca Smith's best performance was in the marathon, held around the city streets.

She broke away from the pack at the 20km mark, with Wanganui teammate Nicole Travers.

The pair put a 500m gap on the field before Smith surged away from Travers to lap the field, eventually winning by over a kilometre.

Travers ultimately finished fourth behind Gibbs and Australian Grace Stevens.

Travers would have a string of fourth placings to help her team rack up the points and teamed with Smith and Gibbs to convincingly win the relay from Australia and the New Zealand No2 team.

Wanganui's Eden Smith contested the Junior Men's class (under 19) and the 15-year-old raced an outstanding 10km points event, claiming the bronze medal behind Germany's Alex Emele, who would win the overall title, and Manawatu's Shane Maihaere.

Smith also performed well in the marathon, won by Maihaere, claiming fifth place.

In the Cadet Girls' grade (under 15), Wanganui's Monique Cleeve battled hard with Timaru's Tyla Smith, but the reigning national champion proved too big a handful and won all her races to nail a clean sweep.

However, Cleeve pushed Smith hard in each event to come home with four silver medals, plus a gold for the winning relay team with Smith and Timaru's Jazmyn McCauley.

Cleeve was especially strong in the 21km half marathon, finishing second to Smith by only a wheel in their sprint finish.

Wanganui's other Cadet Girl in Eugenia Lee was on debut and found the pace over the longer distances a challenge but still gained a bronze medal in the relay.