Five out of five as club's skaters win qualification

All five of the Wanganui Amateur Rollerskating Club competitors have qualified to go to the national championships after their efforts at Jubilee Stadium at the weekend.

The Central Area Rollersports Championships (Lower North Island Championships) involved just over 100 skaters from six clubs taking part in competition from Friday to Sunday afternoon.

Making the podium was Wanganui's Sharon-Rose Riddell, who took out silver in the 9-10 year juvenile grade for figures and solo dance, as well as placing sixth in freeskating.

Hastings' Nina Coe (2) and Upper Hutt's Tiana Fisk won the gold in those events.

Wanganui's Rachael Stratford won bronze for solo dance in the very competitive open-age novice grade, while also placing fifth in ladies figures.

The solo dance was won by Upper Hutt's Reuben Johnson and the ladies event by his clubmate Summer Hicks.

Skate NZ media liaison Mary-Anne Thomson said to qualify for the October nationals, skaters must place in the top ten of their event.

"The novice grade saw some of the largest fields, and skaters were of a very high standard for the sport's national entry level grade.

"Stratford's placings were hard earned in a very tight finish for the top 10 placings."

Wanganui cousins Hannah and Emily Smith held their own in the international grades against experienced skaters who have been to world and oceania championships.

Hannah Smith placed fourth in junior international solo dance, won by Upper Hutt's Kyra Thomson, and a satisfying fifth in junior international figures, won by Manawatu's Kate Spencer.

It is her first season in this grade.

Emily Smith placed fourth in both the youth international figures, won by Upper Hutt's Jordan Bougen and the preliminary freeskating, won by Upper Hutt's Holly Yeatman.

Wanganui's Julia van Niekerk placed eighth in the novice ladies freeskating and ninth in preliminary figures won by Upper Hutt's Thaylia Evans.

With 47 of the competitors taking part, Upper Hutt Rollerskating Club had a big presence on the event, including six current Oceania champions and three world-class skaters.

The nationals will be held in Wanganui, beginning on October 1.