Against some big odds the three Whanganui skaters who represented New Zealand at the Oceania Speed Skating Championships in Brisbane over Easter performed with real distinction.
Eleven-year-old Chase Morpeth who only qualified by a few days for the under-15 cadet boys grade was outstanding, racing against skaters three years older and twice his size.
The diminutive speedster was never far from the lead and picked up a silver medal in the 200m TT, and bronzes in the 5K points and 21K half marathon. He was also a member the second placed relay team.
Renee Teers was also up against older and bigger skaters in the under-19 junior girls class.
The 14-year-old was always amongst the leading pack in a field full of Junior World Championship entrants. Her best individual race was the 42K Marathon where she was in a finish line sprint for 3rd but was piped by Australian Charmaine Chu on the line.