Davies and other speedsters ready

Krystine Davies, second from left, competing at the World Masters Speed Skating Marathon Championships in Nanjing.

Whanganui's world masters skating marathon silver medallist Krystine Davies will have her first competition since Nanjing in China when she laces up for the St John's Club Rivercity Tour this weekend.

Although entry numbers aren't as large for this year's edition of the tour, some of the bigger names of the sport nationally will be in attendance, including Davies after her success at the world masters on September 18.

It was her second Under 60's silver medal, following on from the 2014 event in France.
Wanganui Speed Skating Club spokesman Ken Smith said in the Nanjing race, Davies broke away early from a large field of European and Chinese Under 60 women but was tracked by the Under 40 field, including Italy's Desiana Caniatti, the 2012 U60 champion.

"Despite leading out with 1km to go and clearly being the class of her age group, she was run down by Caniatti, who drafted the younger age group pack across the line to win in 1h 19m 3s to Davies 1h 19m 4s," said Smith.

Both were well clear of third place.

Davies will be taking on the Masters field this weekend as she starts build up to the next world championships in Italy in May.

Smith said the Premier Men's class will feature world team members Antony Nalder of Wellington and Dale Christoffersen of Timaru, who will do battle with 2015's defending title holder Andrew Jones of Whanganui.

"In the Women's grade, Timaru's Arianna Snook should be the favourite but can expect a serious challenge from Whanganui's junior star Renee Teers and her own Timaru teammate Charlotte Grant."

The Juvenile Boys Grade will be a battle between the national title holders in locals Chase Morpeth and Drew Brennan, with their club mates Lucas Hodgson and Josh Valentine also strong contenders.

"The Primary grade will be a close competition with the favourite being Keira Brennan, but interest in how Mickey Zhang and newcomer Victoria Valentine perform."

The programme begins at 10am tomorrow morning with at the Kowhai Park track, followed by the 660m time trial around the Mitre 10 Mega carpark in the evening.

The other stages will be at Jubilee Stadium at 8.30am on Sunday.