Speed skating: Whanganui team gets medals in the bank

Whanganui speed skater Ollie Sullivan had an encouraging first experience on the 200m banked track in the juvenile boys grade. Photo / Johnmen Zhang

Whanganui skaters have stamped their mark on the 2026 NZ Banked Track Speed Skating Nationals.

Ten inline speed skaters represented Whanganui in a 65-strong field from all over New Zealand at the event, held in Hamilton over Waitangi weekend.

Whanganui team spokesman Scott Morpeth said racing was held over distances ranging from 200m to 10km on the 200m banked track.

“These annual national championships are alternately hosted between Timaru and Hamilton and offer skaters the faster experience of using the banked corners on the track,” Morpeth said.

“Many skaters favour the banked tracks around the world as they offer more racing options going through the steeper corners.”

Racing started on Waitangi Day with the 200m time trials, followed by the 10,000m elimination races. Saturday’s racing included medium, short and long distances, culminating in the youth and senior team relays.

The team “punched well above their weight”, winning four of the overall aggregate titles across the 13 grades, Morpeth said.

“McKenzie Allen won the primary girls, Tazia Parker won junior ladies, Micky Zhang took out the junior men and Crystal Denbee brought home the master ladies with all four winning all of their individual races.

“Parker set three new national records and Zhang set two new national records during the hot sunny weather that Hamilton turned on for the weekend.”

Juvenile boy competitor Ollie Sullivan and junior man Leon Perry had encouraging first experiences on the 200m banked track.

“Both young men gave their best in very tough fields and, although Ollie did not medal this time around, he left everything on the track.”

Perry won a bronze medal in the senior men’s relay, teaming up with veteran Morpeth.

“In a relay, anything can happen, and a team disqualification due to a mix-up in the change zone by the Timaru team elevated Whanganui to a third place. Whanganui took out first and third in this exciting race.”

Senior man Andrew Jones won a gold medal in the senior men’s relay along with Zhang and Master Paul Cleeve. Cleeve also secured a gold in the 200m dual time trial. Gabriella Valentine, who only competed on the Friday, earned a bronze in the time trial and a fourth place in the 10km elimination. Morpeth won a bronze in the 5km points race, stepping up a gear with 10 laps to go.

“Overall, Whanganui again stamped their mark on a very successful national event. Skaters would normally have a well-earned break now, but group training will continue until Parker and Zhang head off to Geisingen, Germany, for six weeks to train and race in the European season.

“There, they will meet up with fellow Whanganui skater Chase Morpeth, after he, too, flies back to Germany after a month at home in Whanganui over March.”