Skaters roll into Marlborough

For the first time, Marlborough played host to a highly-successful New Zealand Roller Sports Championships.

In early January, over 100 competitors competed in flat track and road events at three different venues, Athletic Park, Marlborough Lines Stadium and the Kart track.

Leading the way for the local contingent and underlining her status as one of the country’s leading skaters was Erin Green. The versatile athlete claimed 10 gold medals, one silver and a bronze in the relay across six days of competition, taking out the overall points aggregate trophy for junior women, her final year in the grade.

There was plenty of other accolades for the remainder of the eight-strong Marlborough contingent, with a string of podium placings and personal bests.

Lily Pontague, competing in the junior girls’ grade, was third in the relay. Eva Jenkins, in the cadet girls’ class, won silver in the time trial, 500m and relay, plus a fourth in the half marathon. Talita Kotze, also in the cadet girls’ section, won the time trial, was second in the relay and third in the 500m. Sophie Searle, in the primary girls’ class, was second in the 1500m, and third in the 500m and 1000m. Zara Neylon competed in the same class, coming fourth in the same three events.

Fellow Marlburians Amelia Marshell (juvenile girls) and Kalara Green (cadet girls) also competed, relishing the opportunity to rub shoulders with the nation’s best.

Four Marlborough competitors were included in the NZ team for the forthcoming Oceania champs in Timaru – Erin, Eva, Talita and Lily. Roxanne Green will be assistant manager.

Next up for the skaters is the national banked track champs, in February.