Five Whanganui Speed Skaters are heading to Timaru over Easter as part of the New Zealand team to take on the Australians in the Oceania Speed skating Championships.
In what is looking like the most evenly matched competition in the last few years the Whanganui skaters are likely to be key in deciding the outcome.
Andrew Jones is racing in the senior men's grade and his current form has been sensational. At the recent Laurie Hastie Cup in Palmerston North Jones went head-to-head with Peter Michael who was putting on his in-lines for the first time in months and racing indoors for the first time in four years.
Jones pipped the Olympian in two sprint races before Michael got down to business and showed his class for two emphatic wins in the distance events. In the absence of Michael, Jones completely dominated the outdoor races.
Renee Teers and Monique Cleeve are racing the junior girl's (Under 19) class and have been battling each other and the Timaru pair of Leah McDonald and Ariana Snook all season for honours as the top New Zealand female.
