Defending champion Jessica van Bentum shook off jet lag and braved howling winds to retain her title in the Premier Women's grade at the fifth annual St John's Club Rivercity Speed Skating Tour on home turf at the weekend.
Van Bentum had just two days to recover from the long flight back from Europe before the two-day event began in Wanganui on Saturday.
She had spent most of the season training in Germany, but also competed in the Junior Worlds in Argentina just over a week ago, along with New Zealand teammates Rebecca Smith, also from Wanganui, and Diana Gibbs from Manawatu.
In howling winds, Van Bentum took five stage wins to Smith's two, while Gibbs picked up the win in the 200TT at Kowhai Park. Fourth place-getter Melissa White turned in an impressive performance for second in the 10K points race at Kowhai Park.
The racing was extremely close in nearly all the races with only a few metres separating the finishers.