SPEED SKATING TITLES TODAY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 11

SPEED SKATING TITLES TODAY

'THE prospects of the outx standing 18-year-old speed skater, R. J. Montgomery, winning his second New Zealand long track aggregate title in as many attempts when the national championships are held at Lake Ida this week-end have diminished slightly with the news of possible late entries by L B. McDonald and G. Glover. McDonald, one of the finest long track skaters produced in the Dominion, retired from competition two seasons ago but now, after a period in the Antarctic at the New Zealand base, he is again showing an interest in the sport and there appears every possibility that he will be making a bid to regain the title.

If he does, then Montgomery might find himself pushed to the limit. McDonald is now lacking in race experience and has not prepared himself as well as Montgomery. For these reasons, Montgomery must start as the favourite but

their clash will be particularly interesting. McDonald has won many national titles in his career. Glover could be a threat, especially in the shorter events. He has been concentrating on roller skating this season and is now regarded as a first choice for the New Zealand team to travel to Madrid for the world championships. However, last week-end he made an unexpected training appearance on the ice at Lake Ida and is expected to compete today. In 1964 he won the New Zealand 1500 metres title, now held by Montgomery. He has many miles training on roller skates behind him and if he can compromise the two styles he should do well. Further interest will be added to the championships by the first competitive appearance of the New Zealand 5000 and 10,000 metres record-holder, R. Falkingham. He has been released from his Army commitments for the week-end, and al-

though his training is behind schedule because of illness he will undoubtedly be a strong candidate for the coveted aggregate title. T. Skerten will be defending his 160 metres straight title. He showed excellent form at his first outing last week-end to win the Cen-

taurus championship over this distance. Montgomery was surprisingly beaten into third place by K. Nicolle, who could prove a force in this event. J. Phillips is another contender. There will be new titleholders in at least two of the senior championships. W. Belt (Otago) is not expected to defend his 500 metres title, and J. H. Havenaar will not be competing in the the 10,000 metres, a title he won last season. However, there is the promise of some particularly close competition in all events. Intermediate competition could also be close. Although entries do not close until this morning, the reigning Canterbury champion, P. McLachlan, and W. Dangerfield, B. Maxwell and C. Sparrow have all indicated that they will be competing. Miss C. Walker, who won the Centaurus women’s championships last weekend, is a strong candidate for the national women’s title.