Erin shows speed at skating nationals

Speed skater Erin Green led a Marlborough assault at the road and flat track national championships staged from December 29 to January 3 in Wanganui.

Erin came away with a hat-trick of gold medals, three New Zealand records and five silver medals, her efforts being voted the outstanding female performance at the event. She set records in the junior ladies’ 300m, 500m and 800m events.

With grades being adjusted this year to match the various age groups at the world championships, 14-year-old Erin competed in the 15 to under-19 grade.

She was just one of the Marlborough contingent to put their hand up and show improvement across the board.

Paige Horne came home with two bronze medals and several fourth placings, plus a fifth in the gruelling half marathon.

Cooper Hopkins also picked up two bronze medals while Monique Hopkins notched up several fourth placings to just miss a spot on the podium.

Eva Jenkins and Lily Pontague both registered personal bests, Lily finishing fourth in the half marathon while Eva also competed in the event, no mean feat for a nine-year-old.

Next up for the Marlborough speedsters is the Tour of Timaru in two weeks, followed a week later by the bank track nationals, also in Timaru.

Three of the club’s members - Erin, Lily and Paige - are due to skate for New Zealand in April, after making the Oceania team, although the future of this event is still up in the air due to Covid issues.