Racheal Stratford, of Wanganui, was the first champion at the National Rollerskating Championships in the River City yesterday. PHOTO/AUCKLAND SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Racheal Stratford, of Wanganui, was the first champion at the National Rollerskating Championships in the River City yesterday. PHOTO/AUCKLAND SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Wanganui's Racheal Stratford performed well above her expectations when claiming the first title at the New Zealand National Rollerskating Championships at the Jubilee Stadium yesterday.
She out-performed 16 rivals from around the country to win the Novice Ladies Figures championship yesterday before the official opening ceremony began.
Stratford, 14, beatMaisie Behrent of Upper Hutt, while fellow Upper Hutt skater Holly Yeatman was third.
Novice is one of the most competitive grades and Stratford's rivals represent the best from each of their areas.
Stratford was attracted to the sport because she thought it looked "graceful". She finds the sport really good for her fitness and strength and now trains three days a week.
Stratford is also entered in Novice Solo Dance - eliminations for which are today.
She did not place in figures at the area championships so her goal for the nationals was to place in a field double the size of the area champs and improve her personal best - she certainly achieved that.
