Distance-skating duo invited to China

The veteran and the young gun of Wanganui speed skating are both getting a more exotic stamp on their passports than they ever had before.

Krystine Davies and Rebecca Smith have both been chosen in the 12-person New Zealand team off to race in the World Inline Cup marathon in Suzhou, a major city in Eastern China, with competition beginning on Saturday.

Davies is a multiple NZ Masters champion, while the 16-year-old Smith is a NZ junior champion.

They were invited to the race by the New Zealand and South Canterbury coach Bill Begg, who has put the trip together with the co-operation of the sponsor, skate manufacturer X-Tech International, as well as the Chinese Roller Skating Association and the World Inline Cup organisation.

"The pair are both accomplished distance skaters but the race in Suzhou will present some real challenges," said Ken Smith, Wanganui Speed Skating Club spokesman.

"Although both have raced Oceania championships in Australia, neither has previously ventured further afield."

However the real challenge is expected to be handling the climate, with temperatures in Suzhou currently reaching over 40C and still up to 33C at midnight, Ken Smith said.

"Training at Mitre 10 in the dark in Wanganui is not providing the best preparation but the pair will be giving the race their best shot."

In the New Zealand team is Begg's daughter Nicole, a former world champion, who is already in China training for this event, as well as the Inline World Championships, starting in Belgium on August 23.

There is a strong contingent of younger skaters from Begg's South Canterbury club.