Speed Skating: Skating for shot at a world title

Gary Clark and Krystine Davies have left for France to participate in the world championship next week. Photo/Supplied

Wanganui speed skater Krystine Davies rolled out to France on Monday to represent New Zealand in the World Speed Skating Masters Marathon Championship in Dijon next week.

Davies is accompanied by her partner, longtime coach and former rival Gary Clark. Clark will attend as the team manager/coach for the event on Monday and the trip is the culmination of a long-time plan put together by the pair to contest the age group championship when Davies became eligible for the over 50 grade.

Davies has always occupied a unique position on the New Zealand speed skating scene. With no masters women her own speed in the country she has been forced to race a mixed Masters grade against the men or the open women's events against young skaters a third her age.

She has done this with amazing aplomb over the years winning multiple national masters championships against the men and holding her own with the best of the women.

She is still a current record holder at the 5km distance.

She previously competed in the premier grade in a round of the World In Line Cup series in China in 2013. Now for the first time she will be competing with an elite group of serious female skaters her own age and ability from around the world, with a world title at stake, and she is relishing the challenge.

This will be Clark's first appearance at a race in Europe. The Dijon event is also a round of the World In Line Cup series and will attract a field of elite skaters from around the world, including New Zealand professionals, world champion Peter Michael and former world champion Nicole Begg, whose X Tech team is contesting the series.

Clark is looking forward to the opportunity to observe the world class event and add to his repertoire of coaching knowledge.

While in Europe the pair will also visit Davies' son, professional musician Brodie White, formerly of Wanganui band The Have who are still together and now known as the Sun and the Wolf based in Berlin.

They will also call in on the Geisingen Arena in Germany to touch base with Wanganui clubmate Jessica van Bentum who is racing with the Arma Wheels team.