Wanganui skaters Caitlin Fergusson (left) and Renee Tees (right), split by Timaru's Ella Benson, are the ones to watch in their respective grades at the annual Rivercity Speed Skating Tour at the weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Wanganui skaters Caitlin Fergusson (left) and Renee Tees (right), split by Timaru's Ella Benson, are the ones to watch in their respective grades at the annual Rivercity Speed Skating Tour at the weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
The Wanganui Speed Skating team will be put to the test in the sixth annual Rivercity Speed Skating Tour in the city this weekend.
The event, hosted in conjunction with the Wanganui St John's Club, has attracted entries from clubs throughout the country including the new Nelson club and agood turn out from Hamilton should mean some closely contested races in all grades.
A large contingent of skaters from Timaru should provide some exciting racing in the Premier Women's grade with the South Canterbury Club sending up the cream of their up-and-coming skaters. They include last year's Intermediate stars Tyla Smith and Ariana Snook, who should give local seniors Rebecca Smith and Melissa White a run for their money.
Valley In line's Georgia Hurley is always a threat on the indoor circuit.
The tour has clashed with the World Championships, so reigning Premier Women's champion, Wanganui's Jessica van Bentum who will be heading straight back to Europe to try her hand at ice skating, will not be defending her title.
In the Premier Men's class locals Andrew Jones, Eden Smith and Steffan Teers should have a good battle with Palmerston North's Shane Mihaere, Tuawata Reweti-Migo and Timaru's Jonathon Swindells, the only Worlds team member to hop straight off the plane and head for Wanganui. Should he choose to race up a grade, Timaru Junior Jan Hendrick Kupper could also shake things up. The closest racing is expected in the B grade women's class where there will be a highly anticipated clash between Wanganui's Renee Teers and Timaru's outstanding Junior Ella Benson, winner of her age group at this year's Namwon International in China, and her teammate Jazmyn McAuley. In the Juvenile Girls Wanganui's Caitlin Fergusson will defend her title and the Juvenile Boys could be a Wanganui bun fight with five local entries. Chase Morpeth is expected to have his hands full keeping the rapidly improving Drew Brennan at bay.
Highlights of the tour programme will be the racing on the Kowhai Park track which kicks off the racing at 9.30am on Saturday morning and the 660m time trial around Mitre 10 Mega on Saturday evening sponsored by Keown Honda for the Men and Creative Aluminium for the Women. The other stages are at the Jubilee Stadium at 9am Sunday. There is no charge for admission and the public are welcome to attend.
