Roller Girl: Nicole Begg

Goodbye Hong Kong Hello China

2009-08-14T11:13:00.004+09:30

Tomorrow I leave Hong Kong and head to China. I might not be able to update my blog while I'm in China as last time I was there Blogger was one of the many sites that was blocked along with facebook.

There has been a lot of rain in Asia recently so I will be happy to be able to train in an undercover facility and at normal hours. While I've been in Hong Kong and training with the Checker Sports club training usually only starts after 11pm and in the dark. Unfortunately they don't have a facility specifically for speed skating so they have till wait until the lights are switched of at the basketball/soccer courts and everyone goes home which is usually around 11.15pm.

Biel WIC & SIC Results

2009-08-10T19:24:00.003+09:30

Yesterday the 7th stage of the Swiss Inline Cup and 10th stage of the World Inline Cup was held in Biel. The 6km circuit was held around the city streets in the heart of Biel with the skaters completing 6 laps in total.

I'm in Asia at the moment until the World Championships but the rest of the Bont Wheels Team were in Biel.

The ladies race was won in a breakaway. There were originally six skaters in the winning break, but one of the skaters dropped off and was caught by the pack before the finish. With more than two laps to go Giovanna and Alexandra broke away from this group and went on to take the first two placings. Kelly Martinez was the first to finish in the main pack coming in 6th place.

Womens Top 10

1. Giovanna Turciarelli

2. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)

3. Tina Struver

4. Laura Ghezzi

5. Valentina Cantu

6. Kelly Martinez (Bont Wheels)

7. Nathalie Barbotin

8. Cecilia Baena

9. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)

10. Jokobine Wolf

Scene set for rugby sevens-skating showdown

2009-08-10T19:00:00.002+09:30

Here is a good article from The New Zealand Herald by Peter Williams.

Peter Williams: Scene set for rugby sevens-skating showdown

It's August, a month of decision for the Lords (and one Lady) of the Rings.

In 11 days, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee will meet at IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to decide which two sports might be added to the Olympic Games in 2016.

The 15 members, 14 men and 1984 women's 400m hurdles gold medallist Nawal el Moutawakel, will recommend two of seven applicant sports to be part of 2016. The recommendations have to be approved by the full IOC session in October with a sport needing a two-thirds majority to make the final programme.

Cross off baseball and softball straight away. At Olympic level, they're single sex sports; they were played in Beijing last year; won't be in London and are unlikely to come back quickly. Major League Baseball's unwillingness to release the game's superstars for the Olympics doesn't help.

Karate's major problem is that Judo and Taekwondo are already in the Olympics. I doubt another martial arts sport will join them.

Despite my close affinity with golf, I can't see it making the cut. The format and eligibility criteria put up by the International Golf Federation are both too restrictive and non-inclusive. Fields of 60, based on world rankings and with an unlimited number of players from countries with two or more in the top 15, will lead to ridiculously unbalanced fields.

For instance, based on this week's world rankings, there'd be 24 Koreans and 19 Americans in the women's Olympic tournament, and competitors from just 12 countries. The men's field would have 25 Americans, 11 from Great Britain and only 16 countries represented. Despite the IOC's desire to have the world's sporting superstars, Tiger Woods will be 40 in 2016 and who knows what his star power will be by then.

Squash's big problem is its lack of televisual appeal. Huge progress has been made with glass courts and a coloured ball but the end result is it's a bit like ice hockey. It's darn hard to see the ball.

So that leaves rugby sevens and roller sports. I like the chances of both making it as medal sports. Sevens doesn't need a purpose-built facility. It can use the main stadium for two days between the opening ceremony and the start of the track and field programme.

It also offers real medal chances to smaller nations like Fiji and Samoa. This year's Sevens World Cup in Dubai was a huge success with big TV audiences, and the women's competition as popular as the men's. That's likely to be the most watched rugby event of the year.

Roller sports ticks all the boxes. A combination of speed skating and dancing events could do for the Summer Olympics what ice skating does for the Winter Games. There's tremendous TV appeal, young participants and, as with BMX racing and whitewater canoeing, there's a real sense of excitement about racing on in-line skates.

Of the 15 board members, only el Moutawakel and former Namibian sprint ace Frank Fredericks were born after 1960.

Despite the advanced middle age of most members, the IOC's recent decisions suggest they want sports with wide appeal to youth, a huge appeal on TV and the potential to improve the geographic spread of medals.

The 2016 host city won't be decided till October but I reckon we can get set to enjoy rugby sevens and roller sports at the 31st Olympiad.

AIC Putrajaya

2009-08-04T17:14:00.001+09:30

Last Saturday I raced in what felt like my fist marathon ever. I haven't raced on the road, let alone a marathon since my accident back in the first week of May. So it's been a long time when you are used to racing a marathon nearly very weekend.

This was the first ever skating event of it's kind in Malaysia, a place where the sport is still developing. Although there were not a huge array of local skaters present there was definitely an international mix with skaters from Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, USA, Indonesia, Germany and myself of course from New Zealand.

The course was 7.5 km a lap around the very modern city of Putrajaya, Malaysia about 45 minutes out from Kuala Lumpur. The course was tough with a 350 meter hill each lap and a bridge that had to be climbed over twice in the lap. With not big numbers entered in the marathon the ladies and men started together and were allowed to mix. After the first hill climb the bunch split up and there were 3 of us left out infront. Kim Sik (Tiger) from Korea, Dimas Prasetya Putera from Indonesia and myself.

The three of us continued for the majority of the race with Tiger and Dimas battling it out for extra points on the hill climb prime and sprint prime every lap. The next skaters where Johannas Wihardja (Indonesia) and the second lady Eri Marina Yo (Indonesia). With the tough course everyone was spread out and for some it was a great challenge just to finish.

On the last lap I attacked over the bridge and broke away from the two other skaters and went on to win. Second in the ladies was Eri Marina and third Sylvia Setiwan also from Indonesia.

World Games Update

2009-07-18T14:15:00.004+09:30

Last night I raced in my first race at the World Games and my first race since my accident in Heerde. It was the 10km points elimination race and I ended up finishing third. It started raining half way through the race and it was not called off by the officials so the track was very slippery. The winner Hyo Sook Woo and second place getter Marta Ramirez ended up breaking away when the rain started and gaining a lot of points. I was basically left solo at the front of the dwindled pack trying to chase them down and only caught Marta with a few laps to go.

This morning the 1000 meter heats took place inbetween the showers of rain. In the second heat of the ladies it started to rain with a few laps to go and skaters were slipping all over the track. It wasn't until Angeline Thomas from Australia crashed that they finally decided to call off the race. After the rain stopped the third heat started, which I was in and with two laps to go it started to rain again. The officials didn't call off the race and it was very slippery. When qualifying involves times this effects the outcome of the race. The officials didn't want to re run the heat until they spook to the corner referee's who agreed the skaters were slipping and had to slow down which affected the overall time. Once the track was dry the two heats were both re run and I ended up finishing second in the heat but was the fastest qualifier to go through to the semi finals.

The mens heat were then run and nearly immediately after the ladies semi's started. I won my semi final and am through to the final tonight along with Huang Yu Ting (Chinese Taipei and winner of the 300m Time Trial), Marta Ramirez (Colombia), Chiao Jen Hsu (Chinese Taipei and second in the 300m Time Trial), Jin Seon LimChiao (Korea and third in the 300m time trial) and Brigyte Mendez (Colombia).

Tonight the 1000 m final starts at 6pm and then I also have the 15 km elimination race at 7.20pm.

World Games TV Broadcast

2009-07-16T18:00:00.003+09:30

This is the information I have received from the organization:

Public Television Service (PTS) is the host broadcaster of the Taiwan World Games 2009. PTS will form an alliance with other news and sport channels to maximize domestic coverage, and seek worldwide exposure via international channels. Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be live broad casted via one main domestic channel and two cable channels with at least 80% coverage.

Chunghwa Telecom will webcast live and/or highlight programs via its platforms of MOD (Movie on Demand), IPTV (Internet TV), HiChannel (Website) and 3G mobile phones.

Live broad casting sport events include - Dance Sport, Gymnastics and Roller Sport (Speed), and selective live programs from Korfball and Rugby Sevens.

I have since found online one of the sites mentioned that should have some sort of coverage once racing gets underway.
HiChannel - http://hichannel.hinet.net/2009wg/live.html
I was able to translate some of the web page and tomorrow there will be coverage of the 300 m time trials. It looks like it will be delayed coverage from 21.30 - 22.30.

World Games Coming to NZ TV

2009-07-14T18:44:00.003+09:30

I found this press release from Triangle Television:

In keeping with its reputation for delivering New Zealanders significant international events they would not see on other New Zealand channels, Triangle and Stratos Television have secured the rights to screen the World Games starting July 17.

New Zealanders will be among nearly 5,000 athletes from around the world who will take part in 26 official sports and five invitational sports that are not included in the Olympic Games.

Triangle will screen the opening ceremony on Friday July 17 at 7:30pm. Stratos will screen a repeat of the ceremony on Saturday July 18 at 3pm.

Half hour daily highlights of the main events will screen on Triangle in the weekends at 6:30pm and weekdays at 7:30pm, except on Mondays when it will be at 9:30pm. On Stratos Television the highlights will screen daily at 8pm.

Triangle Auckland is on UHF Channels 41, 42 and 52 and in Christchurch via TelstraClear cable (Channel 50). Triangle’s sister channel, Stratos Television, broadcasts nationwide via Sky Digital (Channel 89), Freeview (Channel 21) and TelstraClear cable.

World Games Program

2009-07-14T12:28:00.002+09:30

17th July
09:00 Ladies 300 m Time Trial Qualification
10:00 Mens 300 m Time Trial Qualification

18:00 Ladies 300 m Time Trial Final
18:30 Mens 300 m Time Trial Final
19:00 Award Ceremony 300 m Time Trials

20:00 Ladies 10,000 m Points/Elimination Final
20:30 Mens 10,000 m Points/Elimination Final
21:00 Award Ceremony 10,000 m Points/Elimination

18th July
09:00 Ladies 1,000 m Heats
09:30 Mens 1,000 m Heats
10:00 Ladies 1,000 m Semi Finals
10:20 Mens 1,000 m Semi Finals

18:00 Ladies 1,000 m Final
18:20 Mens 1,000 m Final
18:40 Award Ceremony 1,000 m

19:20 Ladies 15,000 m Elimination Final
20:00 Mens 15,000 m Elimination Final
20:40 Award Ceremony 15,000 m Elimination

19th July
09:00 Ladies 500 m Heats
09:30 Mens 500 m Heats
10:00 Ladies 500 m Quarter Final
10:20 Mens 500 m Quarter Final

19:00 Ladies 500 m Semi Final
19:15 Mens 500 m Semi Final
19:30 Ladies 500 m Final
19:45 Mens 500 m Final
20:00 Award Ceremony 500 m

World Games

2009-07-13T22:12:00.008+09:30

The World Games are an international multi sport event held every four years for sports that are non Olympic. The first games were held in 1981 in Santa Clara, California and now 28 years on the 2009 World Games host city is Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Although I'm not sure of the exact number this year, typically between 25 to 35 different sports take part in the World Games. Inline speed skating is one of these sports and racing starts in a few days on the 17th and runs till the 19th.

The World Games are run by the International World Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. In the past some of the sports that were in the World Games eventually made it as Olympic sports. So it's important for skating to showcase our sport to it's full potential for any hope of that Olympic dream.

The track in Kaohsiung is a 200 meter coated/painted flat banking track. The track is an odd shape with not the best surface and probably not the best track to showcase our sport on, but we have to make the best out of what we have. Hopefully the rain holds off and the IOC are able to see some exciting, fast and clean competition.

Skaters had to qualify for this years World Games at last years World Championships. The top 30 male and top 30 female skaters from the track overall get a place on the starting list. However once the skater has qualified the federation from that country can then switch that skaters place with a fellow country man/women. So this means each country is not limited to two skaters per event like the World Championships. This year in the womens competition Colombia can start 5 women per event, Korea 4, Chinese Taipei 3, Germany 3, Italy 3 etc. While other countries like Australia, Spain, Switzerland and France are in my situation and are alone.

A positive for skating is that nearly every sign I have seen around the city promoting the World Games has a skater on it. There are posters, flags, billboards and flyer's everywhere around Kaohsiung and I have seen quiet a few ads on the television. Here are a few pictures I took while I was out getting lunch, I would have only covered about 1km.

Bus Stop

These flags are everywhere

Another big poster

Big Billboard

Zug WIC Results

2009-07-12T17:00:00.003+09:30

The Zug World Inline Cup was held on Saturday. Alexandra Vivas and Tamara Llorens were present from the Bont Wheels Team. Kelly Matinez is still in Colombia but will be back for the next race in Biel and I am in Taiwan for the World Games which start on the 17th.

Due to road works the course this year took another route. Some would call the diverted course dangerous, while others technical. I wasn't there but from watching the video of the new course it looked very tricky and there looked to be quiet a few dangerous sections if not taken with caution.

Both the ladies and mens race finished in a bunch sprint and from photos it looks like it was a dry race. Both of the Bont girls finished in the top 5 with Alexandra finishing 3rd and Tamara 4th.

Womens Top 10
1. Cecilia Baena
2. Jana Gegner
3. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)
4. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)
5. Cindy Etonno
6. Andrea Hartichelar
7. Giovanna Turciarelli
8. Tina Struver
9. Laura Ghezzi
9. Katja Ulbrich

The Zug race is also the Swiss National Marathon Championships. The first Swiss skater in the womens race this year was Livia Meier from the World Inline Center Bont Team who is now the new Swiss National Marathon Champion.

Alexandra 2nd in Einsiedeln SIC

2009-07-06T18:14:00.002+09:30

On Saturday Alexandra Vivas finished 2nd in the Einsiedeln Swiss Inline Cup race. Even though the clouds where looking very dark the rain held off until after the race. The race was only short, around 18km so there is not a lot of time to break up the field. So the ladies race ended with a pack sprint. Tamara Llorens lead out up the final small rise before the finish and Alexandra hit the lead with about 300 meters to go. There was a head wind up the final straight and it's a long drag to the finish line. Cecilia ended up passing Alexandra up the final straight, but Alexandra held on for 2nd place beating Tina who finished 3rd.

Top 10 Results
1. Cecilia Baena
2. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)
3.Tina Struver
4. Martina Taruscia
5. Andrea Hartichelar
6. Cinzia Ponzetti
7. Nadine Gloor
8. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)
9. Flurina Heim
10. Karin Widmer

Evian Roller Babies

2009-07-04T03:02:00.004+09:30

I found this video today and I thought it was just so cute and cool, check it out!

Bont Enduro 2nd at Le Mans

2009-06-29T18:23:00.003+09:30

The Bont Enduro Team finished 2nd at the Le Mans 24 hr Race in France this weekend. In 24 hours the team skated a total of 845.37 km being beaten by the RPM Poli team who covered 849.55 km.

What's on this weekend

2009-06-26T23:20:00.003+09:30

This is a busy and important weekend for most of the people that live in the Bont House in Weinfelden.

Tamara and Alexandra have both left today to head up to St Moritz for the Engadin World Inline Cup which is on Saturday. This is one of the most beautiful races in the World when the weathers good. It starts up at Maloja overlooking the lake which on a nice day is full of windsurfers and kite surfers. The fast course then snakes down the valley passing the inline village at half way and then going down a big steep hill which quite a few skaters dread. The last couple of years I have lead the pack down this fast down hill stretch. You have to be very confident to lead as you can hit speeds of 70-80+ km. If you make a mistake in the front it could be very dangerous for the whole pack. The only up hill section of the race is about 1km after the down hill. The race heads up towards Pontresina and it's a long up hill drag. In the ladies race this is usually where most of the attacks are launched, quite a few breakaways have stayed away from this point in the past. It's then predominately flat or slightly down hill all the way to the finish which is at S-chanf.

However when the weather turns, the wind picks up and the rain starts to fall it's not too beautiful. A couple of years back a storm passed through before the start of the race and everyone was left up at the start line freezing cold with no gear to keep warm. You get dropped up at the start line and then are left as the buses or team cars must leave before the roads get closed for the race. That year my zip also broke on my skin suit about 5 minutes before the start. I will never forget going down the hill with my skin suit held together by safety pins and the freezing cold wind hitting my bare skin between the gaps. It's also hard because the weather can change so quickly up there and it could be raining at the start but totally dry 42km down the road at the finish so it's always a gamble as to what to stick on your feet.

The weather forecast isn't looking too good at the moment for Engadin with about 60% chance of rain on Saturday. But we will just have to wait and see.

Everyone one else left early this morning to head to Le Mans, France for the Le Mans 24 Hour Race. It's held around the Le Mans car race track where the famous car race is held. Bont have a 10 man strong team entered with skaters from all over the World. The race starts at 4pm Saturday and ends on 4pm Sunday. The course is about 7km long and each team has one skater out on the track at a time. The skaters relay as they choose and the team that has covered the most distance in the 24 hours wins. This is a tough race and this year there are some very strong teams entered so all the best of luck to the Bont Team.

Wayne Begg (New Zealand)
Ben Alchin (New Zealand)
Willem Hut (Netherlands)
Ard Veneman (Netherlands)
Kert Keskpaik (Estonia)
Philippe Matter (France)
Guillermo Trinaroli (Argentina)
Ruben Martinez (Argentina)
Alfredo Moreno (Venezuela)
Livio Wenger (Switzerland)

Therapy

2009-06-24T23:20:00.004+09:30

This morning I went back to St Gallen for more physiotherapy and rehabilitation. I also done a stabilization/balance test while I was there which was interesting. I had to balance on one leg while standing on a moving plate and try to keep my balance as centered as possible. The results were basically perfect and there is hardly any variation between my left and right side so that is great.

Stabilization/Balance Test

Today I also done a range of different exercises focusing on stabilizing my left foot and ankle. All of the activities involved balancing on different wobbly or unstable objects while doing a motion that would compliment skating movements. My ankle is definitely improving and I'm starting to get a better range of movement in it now.

My Injury Update

2009-06-23T23:16:00.003+09:30

It's been just over seven and a half weeks since my accident in Heerde, Holland. I started skating again about 4 weeks ago and easing my way into it. Now I'm fully back training on my skates and not having to wear the brace at all. So things are definitely improving.

I have been on the medication for the thrombosis now for 7 weeks and I was hoping that once the clot went then I would be able to stop the medication and be able to race again. Yesterday I saw a doctor that deals with sports medicine and also thrombosis and was not given clearance to race this weekend in St Moritz or any races before the World Games. The good news is the ultrasound showed no sign of the clot so the medication is working and the clot has gone. But I cannot come off of the medication just yet because if their was a recurrence their is a risk of it going to my lungs. I can however stop the medication about a week out from the World Games, so I will be able to race without the risk of bleeding heavily if I was to fall.

After seeing the doctor at Diepoldsau which is about 1 hour from Weinfelden I then drove 30 min to St Gallen for physio and stabilization therapy. My ankle was massaged and it was amazing to see how much more range of motion I had after the treatment. I also worked with a trainer doing various exercises to help stabilize my ankle.

Each day things are improving and looking better, it's just something that takes time. Although it's frustrating not being able to race I'm still able to train for the World Games and World Championships and as they say it's not over until the fat lady sings.

WIC Zurich

2009-06-23T22:18:00.004+09:30

The World Inline Cup last weekend was held in one of Switzerland's biggest cities, Zurich. The Zurich race is always full of excitement with the 6.3 km course snaking through the center and around the banks of Lake Zurich.

Nearly every year I have raced in Zurich it has been boiling hot and the largest obstacle is the sticky tar snakes on the road and trying to avoid them. This year that wasn't the only thing the skaters had to deal with.

The ladies 37.8 km race kicked off at 3pm followed by the men 2 minutes later. At this stage the sun was shining and it didn't look like it would rain. One lap into the race the wind started to pick up, the clouds closed in and the weather started turning. After two laps light rain started falling and by 3 laps the weather had done a 360 degree flip and it was pouring down with rain. With the race being held in the center of the city there were far more obstacles due to the rain. The roads which are usually full of cars became very slippery along with the dozens of painted white lines, pedestrian crossings, tight corners and tram tracks.

Even though skaters tried to escape in the ladies pack no one was able to stay away and the race ended in a bunch sprint. With only 2 skaters racing for the Bont Wheels Team it was a tough race and didn't go quiet as planned but Tamara and Alexandra both ended up finishing in the top 10.

Ladies Top 10
1. Baena Cecilia
2. Gegner Jana
3. Turciarelli Giovanna
4. Roosenboom Bianca
5. Vivas Alexandra (Bont Wheels)
6. Llorens Tamara (Bont Wheels)
7. Ghezzi Laura
8. Hartichelar Andrea
9. Strüver Tina
10. Halbout Justine

Men Top 5
1. Guyader Yann
2. Moreno Alfredo Leon (Bont South America)
3. Mantia Joey
4. Tobon Juan Nayib (Zepto/Bont)
5. Boucher Thomas

Dijon Video

2009-06-23T22:12:00.002+09:30

There is a good video from the World Inline Cup in Dijon, France on the Roller EnLigne website. Click here to view the video.

WIC Dijon

2009-06-18T04:29:00.002+09:30

The World Inline Cup visited Dijon last Sunday for the 6th stage. The team left Weinfelden Sunday morning to embark on the four hour drive to Dijon. The forecast was for hot temperatures and it was looking that way until fifteen minutes before the start of the race. Then the rain started to fall and never looked like stopping. The course was the same as previous years. A 2.21 km course straight up and down with a roundabout at each end. I have never raced Dijon in the rain but from what I've heard one of the corners was very, very slippery.

The ladies race was quiet tame to start off with. A few attacks were launched throughout the race but no one was able to stay away. Tamara Llorens and Alexandra Vivas tried to escape on a few occasions as our team has won a couple of races in breakaways this season. Unfortunately everyone else was watching them as well and they were quickly targeted and chased down.

The ladies race came down to a sprint finish in the end. With only two team members the Bont Wheels Team waited for someone else to start the sprint and then try to come over top of them. The Powerslide team started the sprint and with about 200 meters to go Tamara tried to pass but Cecilia saw her coming and quickly popped out and accelerated. Tamara finished in third and Alexandra fourth in a close finish.

WIC Dijon Results

2009-06-16T06:02:00.002+09:30

Here are the results from the World Inline Cup in Dijon which was held on Sunday. It started to rain about 20 minutes before the start and stayed wet for the entire race. Tamara and Alexandra where the only skaters present from the Bont Wheels Team as Kelly is back in Colombia preparing for the selections for the World Games and World Championships.

1. Cécilia Baena
2. Jana Gegner
3. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)
4. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)
5. Nadine Gloor
6. Laura Ghezzi
7. Justine Halbout
8. Livia Meier
9. Karin Widmer
10. Karine Talbourdet

WIC Pamplona Video

2009-06-11T06:47:00.008+09:30

Here is a video from the Pamplona World Inline Cup thanks to Mundopatin.

World Inline Cup Ostrava

2009-06-11T05:47:00.004+09:30

The first ever World Inline Cup in the Czech Republic was a successful outing for the Bont Wheels Team with Kelly Martinez taking the victory.

The 33km race was held around a fast and smooth 3.050 meter circuit. It was a straight forward circuit, up and down the same stretch of road with a U-turn at each end. There were plenty of spectators lining the streets of Ostrava and a great atmosphere for the race.

Just before the start of the ladies race it started to rain which caused skaters to panic and quickly change their choice of wheels. The rain didn't last long though, by the time the race started the rain had stopped. With it being so warm the roads ended up drying instantly. This didn't stop the Bont Wheels Team from sticking to their plan and attacking to try break up the field. The weekend before Kelly successfully broke away from the field in Pamplona and went on to win the race so the tactic was similar for Ostrava.

Tamara Llorens launched the first attack and Cecilia Baena didn't hesitate to chase it down. Once Tamara was caught Kelly Martinez then attacked with about 25 km to go. Only the Czech ice-speed skater Katarina Novotna was able to follow her. Katarina wasn't able to stick to Kelly for long and a 45 second gap grew between them. After four more laps the distance between Kelly and the main pack grew to 2:45 minutes.

Once Kelly was safely away the team started to attack again. With about 15km to go Tamara successfully broke away from the main pack.

Kelly proved too strong for the field and went on to win the race. Katarina held on for 2nd place and Tamara came in alone for 3rd. Alexandra was the only team member left in the dwindled down pack for the final sprint. Alexandra ended up coming 2nd in the pack sprint behind Cecilia Baena.

A great day for the team, with all the members finishing in the top 5.
Kelly 1st
Tamara 3rd
Alexandra 5th

WIC Ostrava Results

2009-06-08T16:11:00.002+09:30

Here are the womens results from the World Inline Cup in Ostrava yesterday. The girls will be arriving back in Switzerland today so I will be able to get more details about the race later on.

1. Kelly Martinez (Bont Wheels)
2. Katerina Novotna (Benatky)
3. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)
4. Cecilia Baena (Powerslide)
5. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)

What's on this Weekend

2009-06-06T16:32:00.002+09:30

I am back on my skates training but still not allowed to race so I will miss out on the Ostrava World Inline Cup on this Sunday. It's the first time the World Inline Cup has ever been to the Czech Republic, so that is fantastic for skating in general. The weather forecast for Ostrava isn't looking too good at the moment with 40% chance of rain. Kelly, Alexandra and Tamara will be in Ostrava competing for the team.

Also on this weekend and starting today are the Swiss Bank Track Championships in Weinfelden. The time trials are supposed to start at 10am but it's raining here at the moment so that could be delayed. Even though the track has a roof the sides are exposed so if the rain is not falling straight the track does get wet. Last year I competed in the Swiss Champs as they are open to foreigners but this year I will just be a spectator.

Kelly Wins Pamplona WIC

2009-05-31T04:53:00.003+09:30

Photo - Mundopatin.com

Kelly Martinez from the Bont Wheels Team took the victory this afternoon in the Pamplona World Inline Cup marathon. Alexandra Vivas who was the only other Bont Wheels Team member there finished in 5th place.

With just over 21km to go Kelly and Giovanna Turchiarelli ended up breaking away from the main pack. There were numerous attempts from skaters earlier on to try get away but none were successful. Kelly and Giovanna then went on to lap the field and take the first two placings.

Sabine Berg won the bunch sprint followed by Cecilia Baena. Alexandra Vivas came third in the bunch sprint and finished 5th in the race. With Kelly away on the break Alexandra was the only member of the team left for the sprint finish, so a great result.

Womens Top 10

1. Kelly Martinez (Bont Wheels)
2. Giovanna Turchiarelli
3. Sabine Berg
4. Cecilia Baena
5. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)
6. Brigyte Mendez
7. Jana Gegner
8. Rommy Munoz
9. Tina Struver
10. Nathalie Barbotin

My skates are back on my feet.

2009-05-30T23:29:00.003+09:30

It's nearly four weeks since my crash in Heerde and this morning I went for my third skate since the accident. On Wednesday night I went for my first skate to see if it was actually possible to skate slowly without any pain. I was able to skate as long as I didn't put a lot of power down when I pushed or let my left foot fall on deep outside edges. On Thursday I went for another skate and just done a slow 10km. This morning it was a bit better and I could actually cross around the corners easier than on Wednesday and Thursday night. I still can't skate at 100% but it's only early days. Each day the movement in my foot is improving and looking back four weeks ago I couldn't even stand on it and now I'm actually skating so it's a huge improvement.

WIC and FIC This Weekend

2009-05-30T23:04:00.003+09:30

Today the Pamplona Class 1 World Inline Cup marathon starts at 4.30 pm. Alexandra Vivas and Kelly Martinez are in Spain for this and Tamara Llorens will be racing tomorrow in the French Inline Cup marathon in Besancon. Alexandra and Kelly will also be racing tomorrow in Pamplona on the track.

The course for todays marathon in Pamplona is around a 1200 meter circuit, 600 meters one way then a turn and 600 meters back. So they will be completing 35 laps in total. A course like this can be quiet tough if the U-turns aren't very large because the pace stops and starts and you need to constantly accelerate. It will be interesting to see if any of the females are willing to make the race hard and attack because most of them are also racing on the track tomorrow.

I'm not too sure about the course for tomorrows French Inline Cup race but I do know that it's around a circuit and there are a few rises.

My Progress

2009-05-27T05:14:00.003+09:30

It's been just over three weeks since my accident in Heerde and I'm not back on my skates yet but I am making progress and my foot is getting better. I have to wear the brace for another week but I can actually stand and walk on my foot now without the brace on and without any pain. The brace has been a lifesaver as I've been able to fit it into my cycling and running shoes so that means I've been able to train. My foot is still quiet swollen around the ankle and is lacking a normal range of movement at this stage.

I will not be able to race until I am off the medication for the thrombosis and today just confirmed that it's not worth the risk. I was peeling a mango when the peeler slipped and I just nipped the end of my finger. It was hardly even a cut but it bleed and bleed. I put a plaster around it and quiet a bit of pressure so that was at 12.30pm. I changed the plaster just before 5pm and as soon as I took the plaster off it started bleeding again. That was a big wake up call, I was warned by the doctors about bleeding but didn't think a tiny little cut could bleed for that long. So that put an end to any idea of racing before coming off of the medication, it's just too big a risk with very bad consequences if something was to go wrong.

In about three and a half weeks I will get another ultra sound to see if the thrombosis has gone. If it has then I will be able to come off of the medication, I don't want to even think of the "if not" because I think it's going to be good news.

SIC Sursee Results

2009-05-24T23:58:00.004+09:30

I didn't go to Sursee to watch the race yesterday so instead I stayed in Weinfelden and trained.

I didn't go for a number of reasons:
1. The van was full so we would have to take another vehicle.
2. If you are not racing it becomes a long drawn out day. They didn't end up arriving home until midnight.
3. I would have only seen the skaters pass by twice.
4. It was really hot so I would have been out in the sun all day.
5. I was able to get a good training session in today because I was fresh.

Results

Womens Top 10
1. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)
2. Tina Struver
3. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)
4. Kelly Martinez (Bont Wheels)
5. Andrea Hartichelar
6. Katja Ulbrich
7. Romy Munoz
8. Nadine Gloor
9. Karin Widmer
10. Flurina Heim

Womens Podium
Nadine Gloor (in place of Tina Struver), Alexandra Vivas & Tamara Llorens
Photo - Niki Neck

Mens Top 10
1. Janick Schalch
2. Victor Wilking
3. Alfredo Leon (Bont South America)
4. Stefano Galliazzo
5. Nicolas Iten
6. Severin Widmer
7. Stefano Chinaglia
8. Kalon Dobbin
9. Felix Rijhnen
10. Mathieu Grandgirard

Mens Podium
Photo - Niki Neck

SIC Sursee

2009-05-22T16:31:00.004+09:30

This Saturday the second Swiss Inline Cup is being held in Sursee. There is also a World Inline Cup race on in Incheon, Korea on Sunday. I won't be racing as I'm not back on my skates yet but the rest of the Bont team will be racing in Sursee.

The men's race starts at 5.40pm and the women start 3 minutes after them. They will complete two 21km laps of the lake and then the only part of the course that has changed from last year is the finish.

The weather forecast for Sursee is looking good with a high of around 26 degrees.

Even though this is a beautiful race I'm not too sad to be missing it because I have bad memories from last year. This was the race I broke my jaw in so it's not beautiful skating for 27 km with a broken jaw and split chin.

Sursee

Photo - swiss-inline-cup.ch

SIC Mels/Heidiland Results

2009-05-18T06:37:00.006+09:30

The Bont Wheels Team are in the lead for the team overall after the first race with Kelly Martinez finishing 2nd, Tamara Llorens 7th and Alexandra Vivas 8th.

Womens Top 10

1. Baena Cecilia  
2. Martinez Kelly (BONT Wheels Team) 
3. Ponzetti Cinzia
4. Turchiarelli Giovanna
5. Hartichelar Andrea
6. Strüver Tina 
7. Llorens Tamara (BONT Wheels Team)  
8. Vivas Alexandra (BONT Wheels Team)  
9. Ghezzi Laura 
10.Gloor Nadine

Mens Top 10

1. Arlidge Scott (ZEPTO)
2. Rosero Diego 
3. Diaz Granados Christian 
4. Saggiorato Luca 
5. Tobon Juan Nayib (ZEPTO)
6. Zangarini Francesco 
7. Galliazzo Stefano 
8. Iten Nicolas 
9. Presti Massimiliano
10.Francolini Fabio

SIC Mels/Heidiland

2009-05-16T18:41:00.002+09:30

The first Swiss Inline Cup race of the season starts today at 5.30pm. Heidiland is a new event for the Swiss Inline Cup so it will be interesting to see the new course. Tamara Llorens, Kelly Martinez and Alexandra Vivas will be racing today for the team and I will be going but just as a spectator.

There has been a lot of talk about the weather forecast and the possibility of rain but the weather looks to be clearing, but we will have to wait and see.

Top sports stars battle for award.

2009-05-13T17:37:00.000+09:30

Here is an article that featured in the Timaru Herald today about the upcoming South Canterbury Sports Awards. There are two skaters from the South Canterbury Club nominated, myself and Dahna Penty in the junior category.

Top sports stars battle for award

By STU PIDDINGTON - The Timaru Herald

The annual South Canterbury Sports Awards promise to be an intriguing night on Friday with world-class competitors vying for the main title.

The 12 nominated for the top award will not be easy to separate, with many having national honours and success at international level.

Marc Ryan's Olympic bronze medal in the individual pursuit at Beijing will be hard to beat.

He does, however, have hot competition from shooter Natalie Rooney, who took out the World "Down the Line" Championships in Ireland; and Nicole Begg, who won two silver medals at the World Inline Championships. Begg also finished second overall in the World Inline Cup marathon series.

Others nominated include national rally champion Hayden Paddon, New Zealand powerlifting representative Natasha Armstrong, New Zealand's blade shearer representative at the world championships William Michelle and New Zealand Heartland XV player Eric Smith.

National rowing under-21 quad titleholder Andrew Darling, footballer Kara Wilson, New Zealand track walk champion Nathaniel Shaw, White Ferns squad member Rowan Milburn and hockey player Amber Boyce are also in the running.

Michelle is the oldest nominated at 51 while the youngest is 18-year-old Wilson.

Young Sportsperson of the Year will also be a hotly contested award with eight of the 14 nominees having represented New Zealand and most of the rest having national titles.

Among the favourites are New Zealand Schools halfback Nick Annear, New Zealand tennis representative Emily Fanning, emerging junior Tall Fern Dallas Frederikson, along with New Zealand rowing representative Fin Scott and walking exponent Daniel Lord.

With each sport allowed to nominate only one person, Stephen Burt, who rowed at the World Junior Rowing Championships, missed out to Fin Scott.

Athlete Tom Walsh, who qualified for the World Junior Athletics Championships and broke both the under-16 discus and shotput records this season, missed out in favour of Daniel Lord.

Both could have been strong contenders to take out the young sportsperson title.

The Herald understands Sport South Canterbury is looking at allowing sports associations to nominate more than one athlete if they have two or more that have appeared internationally.

Others nominated in the Young Sportsperson of the Year category are New Zealand cyclist Tim Daly, national under-19 marathon mountainbike champion Rachel Richards and New Zealand secondary schools netball trialist Kelsi Patterson.

Joining them are New Zealand skier Tim Bowman, nationally ranked swimmer Daniel Hickey, football talent Amber Mulhall-Larsen, cricketer Tom Walsh, under-20 national bowls champion Sam Morton and national inline track and bank skating champion Dahna Penty.

The teams title looks to be between Timaru Rowing Club's men's club eight and Netball South Canterbury's under-19 team.

Coach of the Year will again be another fiercely competed category.

Basketball's Sean Fuller, rowing's Dan Kelly, powerlifting's Brian Armstrong and athletics coach Don Garland have all coached at elite levels overseas.

Jonathan Nelson is the only nominee in the Sportsperson with Disability category, so he will retain his title from last year.

The awards evening will feature a special award for a "homegrown" talent that has featured on the international stage.

The guest speakers for the night are twice Olympic double sculls champions Georgina Earl and Caroline Evers-Swindell.

The twin sisters beat their German rivals by one-hundredth of a second in Beijing to claim their second gold and have since retired.

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T18:25:00.005+09:30

Mum and I in 1987

21 years later

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Unive Skate Off Senior Ladies Elimination

2009-05-08T16:51:00.009+09:30

The Skating Sisters Blog has video from some of the racing at the Unive Skate Off in Heerde last weekend. Here is the video from the Senior Ladies 10km track elimination.

Things are starting to look brighter.

2009-05-07T21:37:00.003+09:30

Yesterday I went to St Gallen to see Dr Pierre Hofer who is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Switzerland and also involved in sports medicine. He gave me a new brace for my foot which hospitals don't stock. I have to wear the brace for 4 weeks and keep it on even when I sleep. With a bit of a stretch the brace can fit into shoes so now I can actually walk and exercise as long as I am in a controlled environment. I should be back on my skates training in about 4 weeks. He said I could try skate a little after three weeks but just basic skating and not on edges. I'm not sure when I will be able to race though because there is always a risk with the medication I am on for the thrombosis. You never know whats going to happen in the races and you can't control the environment so if I was to crash and cut myself I could loose a lot of blood very quickly.

Tomorrow I will have my blood checked and if it is ok I will be able to come off of the injections. I am getting those twice a day at the moment so I have little bruises all over my legs from where I have been injected.

Things are looking brighter though each day and this morning I was able to do some training on the stationary bike.

It just keeps getting more complicated.

2009-05-06T03:28:00.004+09:30

When I was at the hospital on Sunday the doctor gave me medication to prevent blood clots (thrombosis) as there could be a risk. But a blood clot wasn't likely to occur with the medication I had been given. Yesterday my calf started to feel tender and when thrombosis occurs it usually begins in the calf. Even though the pain wasn't bad and I didn't think it was a blood clot I thought it's better to be safe than sorry and just go to the hospital and get it checked.

So at midnight Wayne drove me to the hospital which is about 20 minutes away. A doctor took a look at my calf and said it wasn't likely to be a blood clot because my calf was hardly swollen. But the only way they could tell was to do an ultrasound. So I ended up leaving the hospital at 2 am and the doctor made an appointment for me this morning at 9 am to get an ultrasound.

The verdict is I have a small blood clot (thrombosis) in my left calf. Seeing I was already on the medication to prevent blood clots the only thing they could do is up the dosage. So for 3 days I have to have an injection twice a day so that means two trips a day to the doctors clinic. I have been put on medication which I must take for at least 3 months but it will slowly start coming down in dosage. I am also going to have to get regular blood checks for a while.

The doctors also took another look at my foot while I was there and seem to think that I have not torn just one of my ligaments but two.

Tomorrow morning I have an appointment in St Gallen which is about 45 minutes away. I will see a specialist who is considered one of the best in Switzerland. I am going to be in good hands as he has been involved with top athletes and also skating so he understands the movements skating involves. Tomorrow I should have a more realistic time line.

Another year & another bad crash.

2009-05-04T04:12:00.007+09:30

On the weekend we raced at the Unive Skate Off in Heerde, Holland. The racing on Friday at the track started off great with Kelly winning the 10km elimination and myself coming in second. The next night we raced in the points race which was changed from a 5km to a 10km due to the weather. We were confident and could have taken the first three places but with three laps to go that all changed. I was well ahead on points and was about to come around to win some more when a skater tried to pass Kelly on the inside of the corner causing her to slide out and fall. I fell over Kelly and went index finger first into the barrier and somehow my left foot must have twisted or gone in a different direction. I got up as there were only three laps to go and tried to skate but I couldn't but any pressure on my left foot. I hobbled around and finished the race because no officials were pulling me off. Then only to loose all my points because I was lapped by the lead skaters on their last lap.

I left the track after the race and went to a hospital in the nearest city. I had x-rays taken of my ankle and finger. The results back were that my index finger on my right hand was broken and that there was no fracture in my ankle. The doctors didn't really know what was wrong with my ankle but just sent me home with a compression bandage around it. The doctor said it could be a little ligament damage but nothing too major and in a week or two I should start coming right. I arrived back at the track and everyone had gone, there was just my team waiting for me and a few organizers left. We drove back to Switzerland over night and arrived back to our base in Weinfelden at 6am.

After getting a few hours sleep in I woke up this morning and tried to put some pressure on my foot but the pain was unbearable. I took off the bandage and my foot was swollen and tender to touch. My finger also looked like a purple sausage. I went to the nearest hospital because I wanted to get some crutches to help me move around and get my ankle looked at again because it was getting worse.

The doctor had a good prod at my foot and finger while I was nearly jumping out of the wheel chair each time she touched a sore spot. She wasn't exactly gentle and my brother Wayne thought it was rather funny to watch. She decided to get some more x-rays of both my ankle and finger. The x-ray results were the same as the ones taken in Holland, broken finger but no fracture in my ankle.

The head doctor then came and took a look and done all sorts of things to my foot and ankle. The verdict is I have a torn ligament in my left foot along with some other strained ligaments. I have a brace on my leg to stabilize my foot at the moment and can't walk or put pressure on it. The healing time can vary and the doctor said anything from 4 to 6 weeks. In a week I should be able to move my foot up and down but not sideways or on edges so that rules out skating. I also have to be careful when I do get back on my skates that the ligaments are strong enough otherwise they could damage very easily again and I could have ongoing problems. Tomorrow I will go to the physio to see what he can do to help speed up the healing process. I may be able to start cycling on the stationary bike and swimming in a few weeks but I won't be able to skate for a while.

The doctor also decided to make a cast/brace for my finger because there is a fracture and also some ligament damage. I only have to wear it at night which was a sigh of relief because it's very awkward and I cant hold the crutches when it's on.

I didn't take a lot of skin off just a little off my knee and shoulder. I always seem to crash and hurt things that are complicated and don't heel quickly unlike grazed skin. It's frustrating because I felt so strong this year and had a really good base from my off season training in New Zealand. Then to start loosing that strength so easily after all that hard work is quiet disheartening. Last year I also had a nightmare at the start of the season when I broke my jaw. I lost a lot of strength and missed out on a lot of hard training but still managed to do well at the World Championships. I was looking forward to this year because I felt stronger than ever and was hoping to have a good season and a build up to the World Championships with no hiccups unlike last year. It's like I took two steps forward after last year but have now taken one back. But it's not over until the fat lady sings, and no one is singing yet.

On another note Kelly Martinez who also crashed is ok and has only lost a little bit of skin in various places. She managed to get up and keep skating without getting lapped and loosing her points so she also won the overall distance title. Alexandra Vivas our last member standing ended up coming through for our team and winning the points race. We were unable to compete in the Skate Off though which was a shame.

World on Wheels, Oldebroek

2009-05-02T00:23:00.002+09:30

Last night we raced at Oldebroek and it was another World on Wheels race which was about 30km. It was a rough circuit with a couple of corners and it was about 1km per lap. Elma de Vries broke away after a few laps and I ended up going with her. The last lap she led into the final corner and I timed my run a little to late so I didn't have enough speed to cover the extra distance on the final straight which was curved. Alexandra won the bunch sprint and the other girls finished strong with Kelly 4th and Tamara 6th.

Today and tomorrow we are racing at Heerde on the bank track. Tamara will not be skating as she has an injury from the rain race in Rennes. No one from our team will contest the 300 meter time trial at Heerde today. The course in Rennes was very slippery in the rain so everyone's muscles are feeling strained and have not had time to recover as we have been traveling and racing.

World on Wheels, Emmeloord

2009-04-30T06:08:00.003+09:30

Tonight the Bont Wheels Team raced at the World on Wheels event in Emmeloord, Holland. It was a 30km race around a 800 meter circuit along a canal, with long straights and two corners at each end. The course was quiet technical because the corners were tight and there were plenty of obstacles like a speed hump with cobbles and a traffic island. You had to be strong, fit, fast and skillful. There was a big womens field with 64 starters. It was also a high quality field with 5 World Champions present and European Champions and medalists.

The race was fast and hard with constant attacks being launched. There were also sprint primes throughout the race. None of the breakaways successfully stayed away but our team made sure we had someone in nearly every attack. We raced well as a team tonight and everybody played an important part throughout the race.

It came down to a sprint finish with about 22 skaters left in the main pack. Tamara led out the sprint for our team taking the lead with about 500 meters to go. I passed her just before the second to last corner with about 250 meters to go. I was able to gain a gap when I passed Tamara before the corner and went on to win the race. Kelly came in for a strong second, Alexandra 5th and Tamara 8th.

Womens Top 10 Results
1. Nicole Begg (Bont Wheels)
2. Kelly Martinez (Bont Wheels)
3. Brigitte Mendez (Valle, Colombia)
4. Bianca Roosenboom (CadoMotus)
5. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels)
6. Liana Holguin (Valle, Colombia)
7. Elma de Vries (DSB)
8. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels)
9. Sara Bak (Denmark)
10. Laetitia le Bihan (Poli, France)

Auction to help fund Roncalli trip

2009-04-29T23:55:00.002+09:30

Roncalli College in Timaru are having an auction to raise funds for their rugby team to tour Australia. I donated two pictures for the auction and this is an article about the upcoming auction that featured in the Timaru Herald

Auction to help fund Roncalli trip

By STU PIDDINGTON - The Timaru Herald

Roncalli First XV is hoping an auction and fun evening on Saturday night will help boost its coffers for their tour to Australia.

Roncalli is taking 28 players and a management team of five for a 10-day tour, but need to raise around $75,000.

The evening, to be held at the Roncalli gym, will have a charity auction, entertainment, as well as guest speakers, including broadcaster John McBeth, Super 14 referee Vinny Munro and sports spin doctor John Durning, who has spent time with the Black Caps.

A video presentation will include an interview with All Black coach Steve Hansen and Crusader Isaac Ross.

Among the items going under the hammer is a signed Indian cricket bat, number one of 15 produced.

Other memorabilia includes framed, signed Crusaders jerseys, and a signed canvas of world champion speedskater Nicole Begg and a signed Sarah Ulmer top.

There is something for everyone, with 25 tonnes of lime up for grabs, weekends at holiday homes, tradesmen's services and even a cattle beast.

The team has worked hard, already having spent time chopping and delivering firewood, building retaining walls and running barbecues to help with the fundraising.

Anyone interested in attending on Saturday night, at a cost of $25, or leaving an absentee bid, can contact Carol Gallagher on (03) 688 5833.

Bont 1st & 2nd, WIC Rennes

2009-04-27T06:14:00.002+09:30

Today I won the World Inline Cup class 1 race in Rennes and Tamara was second. It was fine all morning until about a minute before the womens start, the black clouds closed in and the rain started to fall. It was wet for basically all of the race but ended up drying up for most of the mens race.

Tomorrow we leave Rennes and drive to Holland. We will race at the two Unive World on Wheels events on Wednesday and Thursday and the Unive Skate Off in Heerde on Friday and Saturday.

Speedy Begg new face of Skins

2009-04-26T06:10:00.002+09:30

This is an article that featured in the Timaru Herald this week.

Speedy Begg new face of Skins

By STU PIDDINGTON - The Timaru Herald

Timaru speedskater Nicole Begg is starting to find some traction in the corporate world of Kiwi advertising.

Begg is the new face of Skins marketing campaign in New Zealand.

Skins is body-moulded compression performance equipment engineered to provide support and muscle alignment. Up to now the most recognisable face of Skins has been Wallaby wing Lote Tuqiri, so Begg is in good company.

The 21-year-old former world champion has been used extensively to advertise speed skating equipment in Europe but this is her first big break in New Zealand.

Brandex outdoor general manager David Watt said they had backed Begg as they aimed to penetrate a full range of sports, not just mainstream sports such as rugby and netball.

"We feel it is important consumers see a variety of sports people in our gear. Nicole is reaching a world-class level in a non-mainstream sport which is great for New Zealand.

Begg, who is in Europe preparing for the World Inline Cup marathon series, said she was delighted with the exposure.

"It's great to be associated with such a top product."

Skins

2009-04-21T04:58:00.005+09:30

Skins are one of my sponsors from New Zealand who provide me with compression clothing to aid my recovery. Skins™ BioAcceleration Technology™ has been developed over years of scientific research. Skins™ BioAcceleration Technology™ creates marked improvements in reducing the build-up of lactic acid immediately after periods of sustained exercise, and allows for more rapid return to normal levels. You experience less fatigue, minimize soreness and recover faster.

Skins are very popular in New Zealand and are sold throughout the country at most major sporting goods stores. Below is one of the posters featuring me, which has already been spotted at the Rebel Sports store in Timaru.

Quick Update

2009-04-18T02:12:00.002+09:30

The internet has been down over the last few days so here is just a quick update. Last week I raced at the Trois Pistes, but we didn't end up skating on three tracks. The first day it rained and never looked like clearing so all the events at Pibrac were canceled. The rain continued into the second day and we ended up racing in the wet on the Valence D'Agen road circuit. The program was changed and instead of racing an elimination and a 3000m we only ended up racing the 3000m and a 2800m. The weather finally cleared for the third day and we got to race on the track but only done 2 x 5000m races. I ended up finishing 3rd overall.

Tomorrow and Sunday I am racing at the CGS in Sablé. It is around four hours away from Bordeaux so I have an early start in the morning. The racing is around a road circuit and apparently the weather forecast isn't looking too good.

Trophee des Trois Pistes

2009-04-09T20:03:00.004+09:30

This weekend the famous Trois Pistes (Three Tracks) is taking place in France. This is a very popular race meet with races held on three different tracks in three different cities and over three days. On Saturday we will be racing at Pibrac, which is apparently a very slippery bank track. Sunday at Valence D'Agen which was the location for the 2001 World Championships. Valence D'Agen was also my first ever Junior World Championships. The last day of racing is on Monday at Gujan Mestras which was the location for the 1994 World Championships. I have had a chance to skate on the track at Gujan Mestras as it is only half an hour away from where I am staying in Bordeaux. I've never raced at the Trois Pistes but it should be very exciting with rumors of over 40 Senior Ladies competing. This truly is an International event with skaters from USA, China, Argentina, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Colombia and of course New Zealand. They are estimating that there will be 19 countries represented at this years Trois Pistes.

French Inline Cup, Nimes

2009-04-07T02:43:00.015+09:30

Yesterday the first race of the French Inline Cup took place in Nimes. The French weather didn't disappoint this week. Nimes had one of the highest temperatures in France yesterday with a high of around 23 degrees. The marathon was held around a 2.6 km circuit, so we completed 16 laps in total. This was the first time I have every raced in Nimes but I really enjoyed the course. It was raced around 4 roundabouts so there were a lot of corners, a couple of small climbs over bridges but also long straight stretches. The road surface was a mixture of smooth and rough and the wind made it just a little bit tougher.

Tamara Llorens and myself were the only skaters present from the Bont Wheels Team, Alexandra and Kelly are still in Colombia and will arrive at the end of next week.

There wasn't a large ladies field but the pace was pretty fast from the start because I started attacking two laps into the race. I made numerous attacks throughout the race to test myself and the new Bont Wheels. Nathalie Barbotin came with me on most occasions. Tamara only arrived in Europe a few days ago so she stayed with the main group for most of the race and helped chase down any attacks that looked serious.

With the men and women racing on the course at the same time it was hard to make the breakaways stick. There were groups of men always passing women so some skaters were able to gain assistance. It was hard to control as the course was small and not very wide in certain areas. After seeing this I decided to change my tactics and just wait until the end sprint. Laetitia Lebihan made a couple of attacks with about three laps to go but she was quickly chased down by Tamara and Lucie.

On the last lap Lucie Peruzzetto was in the lead until about 300 meters to go when I made my move and passed her. There was a small rise, a left hand corner and then slightly down hill to the finish line. I wanted to be in front by the corner because the finish line was only about 100 meters after it. When I passed Lucie I accelerated and my eyes were set on making it first to the corner. I ended up winning the race with a few meters to spare. Tamara couldn't quiet stick on me when I accelerated but came 3rd, with Nathalie Barbotin just getting her on the line. Laetitia Lebihan came in for 4th and Lucie Peruzzetto 5th.

I found some good pictures from Nimes taken from a member of the SAMerignac Team, you can view more images on their Picasa Web Album by clicking here.

Start of the Finishing Straight
Photo - Appache (SAMerignac)

Womens Finish
Photo - Appache (SAMerignac)

Womens Finish
Photo - Appache (SAMerignac)

Womens Podium

SAMerignac

2009-04-03T15:22:00.005+09:30

Last Wednesday night I coached a group of skaters from the SAMerignac Skating Club. This group of skaters come every Wednesday night to the CREPS to train around the fast 400 meter road circuit. There is an article in French on the RollerEnligne website and also on the SAMerignac Club website. They were a really fun group of skaters to work with.

Hong Kong Pictures

2009-04-01T03:54:00.004+09:30

Here are some pictures from my trip to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago. To view larger images click on the slide show or visit my Picasa Web Album.

Grenade

2009-03-31T20:17:00.010+09:30

Last weekend I raced in Grenade, France about 2 1/2 hours from Bordeaux. This race meet was part of the French National Qualification. Racing was held around a 400 meter road circuit with tight corners and very long straights.

On Saturday the rain just wouldn't go away. It would rain then stop and just before the track was dry it would rain again, so most of the racing was held in wet or partly wet conditions. The first round of the 500 meters was held in the wet and three from each heat went through to the next round. For the semifinals the track was half dry and half wet and because there were two foreigners eight skaters qualified for the final. For the final all the skaters stepped up to the line and just before the gun went the officials called off the race. The track was deemed too wet to race on and then it started to pour down with rain again. The 500 meter final was held on Sunday morning with not a rain cloud in sight. I won, 2nd was Sara Bak and 3rd Pauline Jegouic.

The 10km points race was held Saturday night in wet conditions and a cool 6 degrees. I won a few early points and then broke away and Laetitia Lebihan came with me. We both ended up lapping the pack and I went on to win the race, Laetitia 2nd and Lucie Peruzzetto 3rd.

The 200 meter time trial was on Sunday morning before the 500 meter final. To be in contention for the overall title you had to start all the races. I stepped onto the start line even though I wasn't highly motivated, the 200 meter time trial is an event I'm not fond of. I ended up coming 4th, 1st was Sophie Beaujot, 2nd Ophelie Carrerr and 3rd Aude Sohier.

The last race was the 10km Elimination which was held at around 3pm on Sunday. It came down to a sprint finish at the end with all 5 skaters still together and I went on to win, Laetitia 2nd and Justine Halbout came in for 3rd.

I won the overall title, 2nd was Lucie Peruzzetto and 3rd Pauline Jegouic.

I've Finally Made it to Bordeaux

2009-03-28T05:34:00.000+09:30

Last night I arrived in Paris after a 12 hour flight from Hong Kong. I stayed the night in Paris and caught a train this morning to Bordeaux. The train journey was supposed to take around 3 1/2 hours but ended up turning into a long 6 hour journey. All was fine until about 30 minutes out from Bordeaux when the train suddenly came to a stop in the middle of nowhere due to an electrical malfunction. All the announcements where being made in French and no one seemed to be able to speak enough English to tell me what was going on. An hour and a half later everyone started moving towards the front of the train so I just followed along like a sheep. We then all had to walk about 1km along the track to the next little railway station. It's ok having a 30 kg bag when you can drag it along behind you on wheels but that doesn't work going over loose stones. About 30 minutes later a train came to pick up all the stranded passengers and I finally made it to Bordeaux.

I am staying at Le Creps Aquitaine in Bordeaux which is the Ministry of Youth and Sports Institution. There are great sporting facilities at this complex including a road circuit, indoor 100 meter flat track and gym facilities. There is also a bank track about 20 to 30 minutes away. Quiet a few of the French National Team skaters are based here and I will be training with them for the next month.

Tomorrow morning I am going with the group of skaters from Bordeaux to a race meet in France. I'm not sure where it is but it's about 3 hours away. I'm rather tired from the travel, lugging my bags around, lack of sleep and delays but hopefully after a good nights sleep I will feel more energized tomorrow when I step on the start line.

I Have Landed

2009-03-23T16:15:00.002+09:30

On Saturday night I left New Zealand and flew out to Hong Kong. After a 10 hour flight I arrived in Hong Kong at around 6am. That afternoon I had a training clinic with the local skating club Checker Sports with around 40 skaters attending. Straight after the clinic Cheryl and I headed to the airport and took a short flight across to Kaohsiung, Taipei the city where the World Games are being held in July of this year. I skated early this morning with the Kaohsiung City Team and will train again with them tonight. Tomorrow morning I will get another training session in before flying back out to Hong Kong at midday. I leave Hong Kong on the 26th and fly to France where I will be training for the next month.

WIC Cartagena

2009-03-17T10:46:00.002+09:30

The first World Inline Cup race for 2009 took place in Cartagena, Colombia a couple of days ago. Alexandra Vivas, Tamara Llorens and new team member Kelly Martinez where there representing the Bont Wheels Team.

From what I can understand the marathon took place under hot conditions exceeding 32 degrees. Kelly Martinez was the highest place finisher for the team coming in 5th, Tamara Llorens 7th and Alexandra Vivas 8th after making a couple of breakaway attempts.

How cool is this?

2009-03-08T16:57:00.005+09:30

Last week Cheryl and Bill were in Singapore for the first Asian Inline Cup Race and they came across a very cool McDonald's restaurant.

I am sure you are all aware of McDonald's and the drive thru area that usually goes with it. Well at East Coast (Singapore) where there is 20km of skate and cycle paths there is a McDonald's that has a Skate-Thru area as well. Here are the pictures to prove it.

NZ Bank Track National Results

2009-03-02T07:31:00.003+09:30

The full results form the New Zealand Bank Track National Championships can be downloaded from the Skate NZ website. They can be found under the menu Speed-Results-National.

I won all of the Senior Ladies and Open Ladies titles, so that is 6 national titles in total. I didn't break any National records but only one or two where broken all weekend. It was great to see the strength and up and coming talent in the female grades. The Juvenile and Junior Girls grades are really strong at the moment with large numbers.

More pictures from the weekend can be found on the South Canterbury Club's blog.

NZ Bank Track Champs

2009-02-19T05:57:00.007+09:30

The New Zealand Bank Track Championships are being held this weekend in Christchurch. The champs run over two days with the 300m time trial being the first event up starting at 9.10 on Saturday morning. The weather isn't looking good, the forecast is for rain on both days of racing.

The Christchurch bank track is a 166.6 meter concrete, parabolic track. It's not considered to be a fast track, so it will be interesting to see if any records fall.

The South Canterbury Club will have 10 skaters competing on the weekend. Check out the club's blog site for more information on the skaters. www.southcanterburyskateclub.blogspot.com

The program is available to download from the Skate NZ website under speed downloads.

Halburg Trust Gets Visit From New Zealand's Fastest

2009-02-17T17:44:00.002+09:30

Tonight while surfing the web I came across an article and video clip from the Celebrity Sporting Function which I attended in October. Click here to view the video.

Halburg Trust Gets Visit From New Zealand's Fastest

October 22, 2008 - 6:22pm

Two of New Zealand's fastest women on wheels came to Dunedin for a frank and entertaining lunch today.

World motocross champion Katherine Prumm and world In line speed skating champion Nicole Begg treated a packed Glenroy auditorium for a Q and A for the Halburg Trust.

The two spoke on crashes, injuries, keeping up with the boys and their intense training schedules, which sees Nicole skating a marathon a week.

Funds raised from the celebrity lunch will help the Halburg trust bring sport and active leisure to kids around the region with disabilities.

Skater set to break coach's record

2009-01-15T05:01:00.004+09:30

Here is an article that featured in the Timaru Herald today talking about the recent New Zealand National Championships which finished last week.

Skater set to break coach's record

`JEFF TOLLAN - South Canterbury | Thursday, 15 January 2009

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald

Skating to success: Nicole Begg, left, and her protege Dahna Penty, right, with the trophy that Penty won at the skating nationals in Christchurch. Begg has won the trophy three times, in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

IT LOOKS like one of Nicole Begg's records may be broken in a couple of years, by one of the speed skater's 11-year-old pupils.

Dahna Penty, whom Begg coaches, came back from the roller skating nationals in Christchurch, with the Joe Bright Memorial Trophy.

It is awarded to the skater with the most outstanding speed performance.

It was her work in the 200-metre sprint time trial which netted Penty the award, previously claimed in 2000, 2003 and 2006 by Begg.

What makes the win more special for Penty is that it was her first championship challenge.

She also claimed one gold medal and three bronze.

"It's pretty good," Penty said, "I wasn't really expecting it."

Begg maintains if Penty sticks with skating, within three years she will take the 200-metre sprint record from her.

The sprint is Begg's weakest event and she said if any of her titles were going to be claimed, that was going to be it.

"I've been waiting. If a female in New Zealand could beat me, then that would be the event. Dahna could be the next one," Begg said.

"She's got that sheer speed off the line."

Although Begg is prepared to let this title fall, she said she won't be letting go of her world titles as easily.

Along with Penty, several other young skaters from the region received medals.

Nick Frame won three bronze medals, Emily van der Heyden two bronze medals, and Breigh Sample and Analiese Le Roy each both won a bronze.

New Zealand National Championships

2009-01-14T07:16:00.015+09:30

The 2009 New Zealand Road and Flat Track National Championships are over for yet another year. There are still a few NZ titles up for grabs with the Marathon and Bank Track Championships still to come.

On the road I took out all the Senior Ladies titles and the 3 Open Ladies (anyone 12yrs +) titles. On the flat track I won all the Senior Ladies and Open Ladies races from the 300 time trial through to the 5km.

Here are a few of my highlights from the champs:

Watching the 7 kids I have been coaching compete at their first National Championships.
Reasonable numbers in nearly all the female grades, with the juvenile and junior girls needing heats.
A lot of up and coming female talent.
New Faces.
The Bont Wheels especially the Pinks working really well on the wooden flat track.
Breaking the 10km points elimination road record by over 11 seconds but then disappointing finding out the record could not stand due to one stopwatch not working.
Seeing skaters from South Canterbury up on the podium. Our club took home 12 gold and 12 bronze medals.
Dahna Penty, one of the new skaters from South Canterbury winning the 200m Time Trial by almost 1.5 seconds. She also won the Joe Bright Memorial Trophy which is given to the most outstanding female skater. I won the trophy in 2000, 2003 and 2006 so it was great to see it go to a skater I coach.
Most of the grades were really competitive so there was a lot of exciting racing that came right down to the wire.

Bill Begg has written an overview of all the grades which can be read on the BONT message board.

200m Time Trial road

200m Time Trial road

500m Start Road

Open Ladies Race

Signing Tee's

1st Time Awards at the Opening Ceremony

Wheel Change

300m Time Trial, Flat Track

300m Time Trial, Flat Track

300m Time Trial, Flat Track

300m Time Trial, Flat Track

300m Time Trial, Flat Track

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-25T07:02:00.005+09:30

I would like to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy new year. I'm celebrating Christmas with my family at home in Timaru.

My brother is in Holland this year for Christmas so he will not be with us, but we all wish you a Merry Christmas Wayne and your present is on it's way.

Timaru Christmas Parade

2008-12-09T10:15:00.007+09:30

Last Saturday the South Canterbury Skating Club took part in the Timaru Christmas Parade. The theme this year was TV and Movies, so we choose Snow White and the 8 Skating Dwarfs. Here are a few pictures.

NZ Update

2008-11-10T12:34:00.003+09:30

I have been back home in New Zealand now for over a month and you could call this the "off season" but it's still full throttle for me. Here's a quick preview of what I've been up to over the past month.

Halberg Trust
I have attended two Celebrity Sporting Functions held by the Halberg Trust since my return. The Halberg Trust is an organization which honors sporting excellence and gives people with disabilities the opportunity to be involved in sport, recreation and leisure activities. These were fantastic events which I attended in Nelson and Dunedin that raised funds for a great organization.

Aoraki Secondary Schools Sports Awards
I was the guest speaker at the Aoraki Secondary Schools Sports Awards dinner held in Timaru on the 31st. The event celebrates the sporting talent from the Aoraki region.

Mountainview High School Sports Awards
I was the guest speaker at Mountanview's schools sports awards, which is a local Timaru high school.

Radio, Radio, Radio
I have had plenty of radio interviews since my return and even recorded a radio ad for Bob Driver Autos/kia.

A picture taken last year with Bob Driver

Learn to Skate
Last year Cheryl and I started learn to skate leasons on Sunday afternoons in Timaru. It gave me a chance to give something back to the community and rejuvenate the South Canterbury Skating Club which has lacked number for quiet a few years. We have continued learn to skate again this year on Sunday afternoons from 2pm. We now have a group of budding young speed skaters who I am also coaching on Friday afternoons.

Bike Racing
I am back on my bike and racing three times a week.

Up & Coming
*21st November I am speaking at the Active Health Services Volunteer Breakfast in Timaru.
*27th November the filming for Top Town starts up in Christchuch.
*6th December is the Timaru Christmas Parade with the theme Walt Disney so I think I am going to be a skating Snow White.

My apologies to the Timaru Fire Department for not being able to judge their Movember contest coming up on the 30th of this month (Movember). Also to the Timaru South Cosmopolitan Club for not being available for their Sports Cabaret event on the 29th.

On the Hunt for Top Town Team

2008-10-18T07:21:00.002+09:30

The Top Town show is making a return to New Zealand TV in December this year. It involves 15 teams from different towns around New Zealand competing in a range of fun challenges. Teams must have 12 members including a mix of male and female in different weight categories. I am a member of the Timaru team and this week there will be trials to determine the other members. Yesterday Timaru mayor Janie Annear and I had the pleasure of tipping cold buckets of water over Steve Kotua for a photo for the Timaru Herald. You can view the article online "On the Hunt for Top Town Team" here.

Latitude Magazine

2008-10-02T19:29:00.004+09:30

This month I am featured on the front cover of Latitude Magazine's 2008 Spring Issue. There is a three page spread with a great article and plenty of pictures.

NZ Speedskater Second in World Series

2008-10-02T19:07:00.003+09:30

The Timaru Herald has an article "NZ Speedskater Second in World Series" which can be viewed here online. It talks about the last WIC race in Berlin and my accomplishments this year.

I will be flying out of Switzerland today and heading back home to Timaru. I have around 24 hours worth of flying to get back to the land of the long white cloud.

Season Finale

2008-10-01T03:56:00.010+09:30

They say the best is saved till last, well that certainly was the case with the final World Inline Cup race for the 2008 season. The Berlin WIC marathon was spectacular. With good weather this year there were spectators lining the streets of Berlin to see thousands upon thousands of skaters zoom or in some cases roll by. There was actually live coverage on a Berlin TV station which could be viewed by those awaiting the skaters at the finish line. There was atmosphere, crowds, thousands of skaters and press.

The Bont Wheels Team finished off a successful season with Cecilia winning in Berlin, myself 5th, Alexandra 6th and Tamara 15th.

The team also took out the top 3 in the World Inline Cup Individual Overall Ranking. Cecilia the overall WIC Champion, myself 2nd and Alexandra 3rd. Tamara who sacrifices herself in a lot of the races by doing the initial long lead out finished in the top 10 ending up 7th overall.

Individual WIC Overall
Photo - Niki Neck

To top off the season we also won the World Inline Cup Overall Team Ranking with over 1500 points to spare.

Overall WIC Team, Bont Wheels

Photo - Niki Neck

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Photo thanks to Niki Neck

Pontarlier

2008-09-22T18:01:00.012+09:30

With no WIC race on last weekend Alexandra and myself headed to France early Sunday morning to compete in the French Inline Cup race at Pontarlier. The race started at 10.30am under clear skies but it wasn't a very warm day and the wind chill factor made it even colder. I started the race with a set of socks over my hands to try keep warm. Alexandra had that many layers on under her skin suit that she said on the start line "I feel fat".

The 34km course snaked through three valleys starting in the city of Pontarlier and ending in Mouthe. It was predominantly up hill but nothing too steep just a lot of long gradual climbs. It was a beautiful race if you were able to admire the views.

The course sorted out the womens field with skaters slowly dropping off the pack one by one. There was a sprint at around half way and I think nearly the whole village must have been out to see it, there was quite a crowd. We weren't too sure what the prize was for the sprint but when we saw the 1km sprint signs and we were both at the front of the pack we decided to go for it. I ended up winning the sprint and the prize was a set of ski's. Ironically Alex and myself have never skied before.

With around 10km to go the pack was down to just five skaters. No one tried to attack but Alex and I increased the pace a little each time we hit the lead. With around 3km to go we headed off the main road into Mouthe and onto little side roads which were rough and really patchy. Anne Sophie Petitprez was the first to make a move and started winding up the pace with around 1km to go. Jessica Gaudesaboos came from behind to take the lead with around 500m to go and we jumped on her wheel as she came through. Alex and myself both came past her down the final straight whilst trying to dodge the pot holes in the road. I won the race for the 2nd year and Alex came in 2nd.

1/ Nicole Begg - BONT WHEELS
2/ Alexandra Vivas - BONT WHEELS
3/ Jessica Gaudesaboos - Cado Motus
4/ Karin Widmer - x-Tech Crocs
5/ Anne Sophie Petitprez - ASEB

This was the first long road race that I was able to wear and test out the Bont 100mm wheels. After the race the first thing I done was cheek out the state of my wheels as the road was quite rough and I expected to wear out my wheels. I was surprisingly pleased that the wheels had hardly worn at all. They still all have their center lines and have hardly been touched.

Photos from Spain

2008-09-08T18:18:00.012+09:30

Senior Womens 10km points elimination race

Photo's - MundoPatin

Senior Womens 15km elimination race

Photo's - MundoPatin

Silver

2008-09-05T18:05:00.004+09:30

Last night I was 2nd in the 10km points elimination race at the World Championships. I now have a full set medals from this event 2006 gold, 2007 bronze and 2008 silver. Hye Sook Woo from Korea won with 16 points, myself second with 13 points and Hye Mi Kim also from Korea taking 3rd place with 12 points. Tonight I have the 15km elimination race on the track.

World Championships

2008-09-03T23:29:00.002+09:30

The World Championships which are being held in Gijon, Spain finally get underway tomorrow. The 300 meter time trials will be held on the first day as well as one of the long distance races. For the seniors this will be the 10km points elimination race and the juniors the 15km elimination.

There will be 8 web cams set up around the track and you should be able to view the videos online at PatinCarrera. On the same site there will be live timing and updates, photo's, results, news and schedules.

Quick Update

2008-08-22T23:24:00.008+09:30

I have been quite busy the last few weeks preparing for the World Championships and traveling which has also meant limited internet access. Here is quick update to let you know what I have been up to and what I will be doing over the next few days.

World Championships Gijon, Spain
Last Friday I arrived in Gijon to start preparing for the World Championships. I drove from Switzerland with Scott Arlidge and Reyon Kay in the Zepto team van (well actually Scott and Reyon drove and I slept). The rest of the New Zealand team arrived yesterday after an epic 40 hour journey from NZ to Gijon.

Jaw
Last Wednesday I had my last appointment at Luzern Hospital regarding my jaw which I broke on the 4th of May. I had a final x-ray and there was no sign of the fracture, it is now fully healed. The doctor suggested I get another x-ray taken in a year just to make sure everything is fine.

WIC X Race Berlin
Tomorrow morning I fly to Berlin for a class one World Inline Cup race. I will meet the rest of the Bont Wheels Team in Berlin as they are currently racing in Padova, Italy. The race is on Sunday around midday. On Monday I will fly back to Gijon and continue to prepare for the World Championships which start on the 4th September.

Sports Unleashed
I am featured in this months issue of Sport Unleashed (NZ sporting Magazine). Unfortunately you can not view it online but I will be sure to scan it when my copy arrives in the post.

Latitude Magazine
Next month I will be in Latitude Magazine. Latitude is a Canterbury lifestyle magazine and it will be quite a big feature.

Tamara Wins the Inline One Eleven

2008-08-17T20:12:00.005+09:30

This morning Tamara Llorens from the Bont Wheels Team won the St Gallen Inline One Eleven. It was the first time Tamara competed in the grueling 111km event and she crossed the line alone in 1st place in a time of 3 hours and 39 minutes. With the event being quiet close to the World Championships Tamara was the only member of the Bont Wheels Team competing. You can view the full results on the Data Sport website.

Begg still on a roll at WIC in Zurich

2008-08-06T09:14:00.002+09:30

Here is an article published in The Timaru Herald "Begg still on a roll at WIC in Zurich". Click here to view online.

WIC Zurich

2008-08-06T05:29:00.011+09:30

Sun shine and high temperatures where on the draw cards for the 11th round of the World Inline Cup and they delivered. The marathon started at 3pm right in the center of Switzerland's biggest city, Zurich. The race was held under clear blue skies and a temperature of around 32 degrees. The race was intended only to be 34km long but after a unanimous decision at the technical meeting the night before an extra lap was added on to extend it to 5 laps equaling 43km.

The course was 8 km per lap snaking through the city with two u-turns at each end and finishing next to the Opera House and beside lake Zurich. With the course in the center of a big city there were a lot of hazards and obstacles to be aware of things including tram lines, tar snakes, pot holes and generally a lot of uneven road. The course is not dead set smooth and is quite rough in places so the girls opted for a full set of Bont Mint wheels with a hardness of 85A.

Unlike a lot of the races early on in the season attacks were launched throughout the whole race in Zurich. With our team, Bont Wheels dominating the sprint finishes so far this season there were a few teams determined to break away and not let this happen. Nathalie Barbotin and Elma de Vries tried very hard to escape on numerous occasions but our team not only chased a lot of these breaks but countered them as well. All the members from our team where in some sort of break throughout the race. The attack that looked most likely to get away was made by Tamara Llorens who I then joined. We were away for quiet a few kilometers but were caught by the pack coming down the final finish straight with one lap remaining.

Womens Pack
Photo -Jorg Dietrich

The pace slowed down quiet a bit over the last lap once Tamara and myself were caught which allowed skaters that had dropped off the pack to catch back up. Tamara and myself tried to recover in the pack while Cecilia and Alexandra covered anything that looked serious. About 5km out from the finish the attacks started again with skaters trying to sneak away in the last few kilometers. Alexandra chased a couple of these breaks but they just kept coming so Cecilia also had to step in with about 3km to go and help bridge gaps. Just after the final u-turn with only about 2km to go Elma de Vries attacked and tried to escape like she did in St Moritz. I didn't hesitate and chased straight away. Before I could position myself with my team before the sprint she attacked again with only about 1km to go, again I chased her down.

The pack caught us and I didn't have time to get back into a good position for the sprint. Jana Gegner came to the front and started to wind up the pace and I positioned myself behind her. With about 250 meters to go Brittany Bowe started the sprint with Cecilia Baena on her wheel. Once I saw them coming I tried to move out and pass Jana to get on the train but there was not a lot of room and they came past with a lot of speed. Cecilia passed Brittany with about 150 meters to go to take the victory, with Alexandra lunging at the line to take a close 3rd. Once I was able to get out from behind Jana and build my speed back up I started catching those in front of me and lunged at the line to take 5th place. Tamara Llorens was sitting in a good position heading into the sprint behind team mates Cecilia and Alexandra but unfortunately crashed with about 700 meters to go. She caused some damage to a ligament in her arm in the crash and is in a soft cast for 4 to 5 days.

Womens Finish
Photo - Niki Neck

The race didn't go quite to plan for our team but we proved we can still pull out the results when things don't go right. At some point in the race we all had to chase breaks and couldn't save anyone in the team for the finish. We were not all together and organized for the sprint finish, and one member short but we were still able to get the results.

Womens Podium
Photo - Niki Neck

WIC Suzhou, China

2008-07-17T18:05:00.006+09:30

The Suzhou World Inline Cup marathon got underway at 10am under the hottest conditions we have experienced so far this season. It was not only the heat but the humidity, it felt like you were trapped in a sauna. The course was pretty straight forward 21km along Taihu Lake up to a u-turn and then 21km along the same road back to the finish. The road was predominantly smooth and flat apart from a slight incline over a bridge.

There wasn't a huge womens field compared to the European races but there were a lot of local Chinese skaters present. The pace was pretty solid from the start and the attacks started pretty early on into the race. The attacks early on were made by the Alessi team but Tamara and Alexandra from Bont Wheels done a good job controlling the pack and didn't let anything get away. After the u-turn half way into the race a few skaters started to struggle with the heat and constant surge in pace. The attacks started again not long after the turn around but nothing quiet eventuated. With about 10 km to go the pace slowed down dramatically. With the finish nearing and skaters suffering no one was keen to push the pace. At this point Tamara and myself took turns to slowly drift off the front of the pack, by about the 5th attempt Tamara nearly escaped.

With about 2.5 km to go Alexandra made an attack, she gained a reasonable gap from the pack but had towed another skater through with her. The pack didn't react straight away because the skaters were both from two of the stronger teams, Bont Wheels and Alessi. It was a tricky situation because our team was stuck at the front, we didn't want to go too slow and get swamped on the fast finishing straight or go too fast and catch Alexandra. With about 700m to go the Chinese skaters were starting to move up and the two off the front trying to escape from each other. Alexandra had done a heap of work throughout the race and had led for quiet a while on the break so we were unsure if she was going to be able to hang on. Cecilia had saved herself and was fresh for the sprint finish. So at this stage Tamara went to the front and started winding it up so Cecilia and myself were not swamped. We caught Alexandra and Cinzia with about 250m to go. I passed Tamara just after this with Cecilia on my wheel who came past me with about 150m to go. Cecilia took the victory and I came in for 4th. Alexandra finished 14th and Tamara 15th after both working really hard during the race and sacrificing themselves towards the end.

What was surprising this year was how involved the Chinese skaters where throughout the race. They not only tried to escape and chase breaks but they also featured towards the end of the race in the sprint.

Top 5 Women
Photo - Official Website

Photo - Official Website

The Winners, Cecilia & Max
Photo - Official Website

Entertainment at the Welcoming Banquet

Visas Visas Visas

2008-07-09T06:27:00.004+09:30

Today the spirit within the Bont house lifted tremendously when we were finally issued our visas for China. About a month ago when we first went to the Chinese Embassy and applied for visas we were denied and told that it was impossible unless we were residents. The only other option was to fly back to our home countries and attain visas. Trying to fly back to New Zealand in between races and the cost of a flight really wasn't an option at all.

But Bill Begg doesn't believe in the word impossible. He got in contact with Rex the president of the Chinese Skating Federation and together they worked really hard to try and improve the situation. After weeks of phone calls back and forth between China and Switzerland, tons of emails and hours on msn we started making progress. At the end of last week it looked like we would get them but needed just a few more final documents from the Chinese Authorities.

At the start of this week with the departure date closing in and still no final papers from China we decided to drive to Frankfurt and try our luck in Germany. We lined up outside the Chinese Consulate after driving four hours only to be told again that it was impossible. It was frustrating because we have been able to attain visas without all this hassle the previous two years, but now with the Olympics in China all the policies have changed.

With Bill being at the Junior European Championships Cheryl Begg toke over the case and chased everything up. Cheryl had an appointment at the Chinese Consulate in Zurich this morning to drop everything off with the final papers and hopefully attain the visas. At midnight last night the final documents had still not arrived nor when we woke up this morning. Running out of time she made a few frantic phone calls to Rex and the papers finally came through just before she left. We all finally have visas one to two days before departure.

It was not only the Bont Wheels Team in this situation, ten other international skaters from various teams were in the same boat and the boat was slowly sinking. So I think we would all like to thank Rex, Bill and Cheryl for all their hard work.

Engadin World Inline Cup

2008-07-02T07:22:00.018+09:30

Engadin is probably one of the most beautiful races in the world if you have time to take in the views as you speed down the valley. The 42km is course is predominantly down hill with one 2.6km stretch of up hill and then a reasonably flat run to the finish. There is one nutoriously fast down hill stretch where the mens pack reached a top speed of about 95 km this year even with this section of the race being neutralized.

The womens race started at 4.55pm and with the first section of the race snaking down the valley the pace was pretty solid right from the start. From the start I felt that this was a race where 110mm wheels did have a great advantage over 100's. The first attack was made only after a few kilometers into the race but with the weight of the pack going down hill the few skaters in the group were quickly swallowed up.

The big down hill is about half way into the race and this section was neutralized. I went to the front of the pack before this section because I wanted to lead the down hill. There are quiet a lot of new skaters this year in the WIC that have never raced this course and the hill can be a little intimidating the first year. I didn't want to get caught behind skaters that weren't too confident and may drop off the pack in this section so the safest place to be was the front. After the down hill the course headed up to Pontresina which is the only uphill section of the race. The gradual hill went on for about 2.6km then there was a u-turn at the top and we headed back down. In the womens race this is were the attacks are usually made and in past years a few of these breakaways have lasted until the finish. The first attack was made by Cinzia Ponzetti from the Alessi team but myself and Liana Holguin slowly reeled her in. The next attack was made by India Kuhn from X-Tech, I also chased her down and caught her just before the u-turn. There were about four skaters slightly ahead of the pack at the top of Pontresina including myself but we were caught by the pack on the way back down.

With about 2 to 3 km to go Elma de Vries escaped from the pack. Our team did not realize she had gotten away as we were trying to position ourselves in the pack for the bunch sprint. By the time we realized it was too late and Elma had drifted well up the road, all we could do was wait for the bunch sprint and concentrate on winning that. The Alessi team started the sprint followed by our team, Bont Wheels. Tamara Lorens made the first move for our team with about 500 meters to go. The finish in Engadin is tricky because with about 150 meters to go the road narrows due to a traffic island. I had to hit the front earlier than planned just to make sure we didn't get trapped in and get Cecilia in the clear for a straight run to the finish. Cecilia won the bunch sprint, finishing 2nd and Alexandra coming in for 6th. I was getting rolled by skaters a few meters before the finish and hung on for 9th and Tamara coming in 15th after starting the sprint for our team.

T Track Video

2008-06-27T06:11:00.003+09:30

There is now video of the womens T Track relays held last Friday night up on Bont TV. Click here to view.

Double A Visit

2008-06-25T05:20:00.005+09:30

Cheryl and myself went to Frauenfeld Hospital today to visit Aaron Arndt otherwise known as double A. He still had a smile on his face and cheerful as usual with the usual greeting "hey guys". Ed Dimmock kindly lent Aaron his PSP to keep him entertained but with no adapter Aaron was unable to play it. So before leaving we found an electronic shop in Frauenfeld and brought a swiss plug then Aaron's eyes really lit up.

I don't know about all the technical terminology but there are two breaks that will need to be operated on and probably have plates put in. On Saturday he had an operation to put the screws in to stabilize his foot so the swelling can go down before they operate again.

Weinfelden World Inline Cup

2008-06-24T04:20:00.015+09:30

The sun came out to shine over Weinfelden on Saturday for the World Inline Cup race. It was still around 30 degrees at 5pm when the race started, a water bottle in the back pocket was crucial.

The race started smoothly with not too many problems but coming down the hill for the first lap we were told to slow down and take care. There had been a big crash in the mens pack and still around ten to fifteen skaters on the side of the road plus gravel and stones everywhere. It looked really bad and I wish all the skaters involved a speedy recovery.

Some of the teams changed their tactics this week in an attempt not to let the race finish in a pack sprint. The Alessi team made quiet a few attacks but everyone was quick to jump on them including me. With a few little sharp hills, the heat and rough roads there were quiet a few girls hanging off the back of the pack throughout the race. The race still came down to sprint finish with about 25 skaters left in the pack.

The road narrowed to one lane with about 2km to go which meant you could only skate two abreast. Most of the teams wanted to be near the front including us so we were constantly chopping and changing to get on the right train that was moving through. With about 300 meters to go Giovanna Turchiarelli hit the lead. Tamara towed our team up equal to Giovanna but couldn't quiet get past she then moved over so Alexandra could come through. After a few meters Alexandra moved to the outside so Cecilia and myself had space to move up the inside. With 200 meters to go I ended up being slung by two hands from the hip and then slung from my skin suit as the skater was coming off me. I lost all my speed and went from being behind Cecilia in about 4th to 25th in the space of a few meters. Cecilia hit the lead not long after this and took the victory comfortably. Alexandra came in 10th, Tamara 17th and myself crossing the line in 22nd but moving up to 21st after the skater that slung me was relegated.

Womens sprint with 200 meters to go.
Photo - Nadine Benz juka linthline

Womens Finish
Photo - Niki Neck

Womens Podium
Photo - Niki Neck

There is also video of the race on Bonttv with footage taken by Niki Neck and Cheryl Begg.

T-Track Victory

2008-06-21T06:42:00.005+09:30

Tonight our team took the victory in the T-Track relay. In the final we attacked and formed a gap with about 9 laps to go and stayed well clear of the field for the remainder of the race. World Inline Center Matter came in second and Cado Motus third. Bont IDRD skated well in the heats and could have contested a podium place but Martha Ramirez fell with 6 laps to go in the change zone.

T-Track & WIC Weinfelden

2008-06-20T17:41:00.005+09:30

This week the World Inline Cup is in the town Team Bont Wheels calls home, Weinfelden. We are based in Weinfelden for the World Inline Cup season and live within skating distance to the course and the bank track.

Tonight the T-Track racing gets underway at 7pm with relays held on the bank track. Each team is allowed to enter 3 skaters each for the 3km relay. There are no World Inline Cup points allocated but every team is still determined to win for the prestige. The ladies will have heats and a final and the men 3 rounds, heats, semis and a final. At this stage the Bont Wheels Team will have Alexandra, Cecilia and myself lining up to compete.

Tomorrow the marathon starts at around 5pm about 1km from the team's house. The course has changed slightly from last year with the big up hill being taken out. We will skate 3 laps of the course this year as apposed to 2 last year. The course is a real mixture with rough and smooth road, corners, long straights, slight rises and a fast downhill stretch.

Finally what will the weather do? Last year it looked like it would rain until about an hour before the start. This year it should be a clear day and very warm.

Incheon World Inline Cup

2008-06-17T06:09:00.013+09:30

The first World Inline Cup race in Asia this year attracted huge numbers, with reports of over 10,000 participants. The womens race got underway at 9.30 am under reasonably clear skies and like every year in Incheon warm weather. The course was the same as in 2007, two laps of the road running along the coast and then branching off for the final finish straight. The last 2km of the race was held on reasonably new road that was smooth and very fast, however the rest of the course was the total opposite. The road that ran along the coast was rough and bumpy. Heading out away from the start we had a head wind and heading back towards the finish a tail wind.

The womens pack kept the pace steady for the first quarter of the race. With a head wind heading out to the turn around point no one was keen to push the pace or attempt to breakaway. After the turn with the wind now behind us our team decided to test the water and see if a breakaway was viable. Tamara, Alexandra and myself all made a couple of attempts each but none turned into anything serious. The Alessi Powerslide team didn't hesitate in sending Nathalie Barbotin to chase us down before the gaps had time to grow. Sara Ervetti from Bont Bacata and a few Korean skaters from the Anyang Club were the only others that tried to instigate breakaways.

With about 3km to go two Korean skaters tried to breakaway. With the pack going quiet slow and the two skaters coming through from the back with pace they easily created a sizeable gap. Alessi Powerslide were the first team at the front of the pack, they hesitated and didn't chase. After we saw this our team reacted quickly before the gap grew any bigger, Alexandra went to the front and reeled the two Korean skaters in. At this stage we were leading the pack and it was a position we did not plan and did not want to be in that far out from the finish. Our team reposition ourselves in the pack behind Alessi Powerslide ready for the sprint. Many skaters were fighting for our teams wheel in the end Sara Ervetti got it. Brittany Bowe was behind Sara and then the Rollerblade MPC team. With about 1500m to go the Alessi team took the lead passing the four Korean skaters in the front and started winding up the pace for the sprint. With 500m to go the Alessi team broke their formation and started spreading across the road. We knew we had to make our move soon so we didn't get trapped in and have teams coming over the top and swamping us. At 400m to go Alexandra found a gap between the Alessi skaters and our team hit the lead. With around 300m to go I passed Alexandra with Cecilia on my wheel and Tamara protecting her. Cecilia came through with around 150m to go to take the victory. I hung on to take 2nd place, Tamara 5th and Alexandra coming in 11th (not official) after doing a lot of good work in the final kilometers of the race. Rounding off the top five was Sara Ervetti coming in 3rd and Brittany Bowe in 4th. It was another great result for our team and another World Inline Cup victory making that the 4th so far this season.

For more photo's from Incheon WIC
visit www.bontwheels.com/team

After the race to finish off a great day Alex, Soo and some of the Korean Bont crew took us into Seoul for a typical Korean meal.

Incheon WIC

2008-06-14T00:19:00.003+09:30

This morning our team arrived safely in Incheon, South Korea after a long flight. Incheon is the host city of the 5th World Inline Cup race this season. The race which is not quiet a full marathon (38km) gets underway at 9.20am Sunday morning. We have not seen the course yet but from the map I've seen it looks similar to previous years, up and down the road that runs along the coast. Tomorrow afternoon we get to have a look at the course and hopefully will be able to skate the last few kilometers.

No More Train Tracks

2008-06-10T15:55:00.007+09:30

Yesterday I was back at Luzern hospital which is becoming far too familiar. I first had x-rays taken and then saw the specialist. When I saw the x-ray I was expecting the fracture to be gone, fully healed and no crack. Instead I saw an x-ray that to me looked exactly the same as the x-ray taken four weeks ago. The doctor wasn't too worried about the x-ray because the movement and alignment of my jaw was good and there has been no pain. He said it will take a while for the fracture to fully heal and disappear from the x-ray but was confident that the wire splints/train tracks in my mouth could come out. My mum, who now thinks she is a specialist tried to tell me that it wouldn't be painful "snip, snip and they will just fall out" she said. Well it wasn't like that at all, there was a lot of twisting, yanking and blood. The wires were pulled back out in between my teeth and gums how they originally went in and yes it hurt.

Even though the wires are gone I can only eat soft foods that don't require too much chewing for another two to three weeks. It just seems to be an ongoing never ending process. It is a huge improvement though from five weeks ago when I was slurping liquids through a straw at least now I can get a spoon in my mouth. My next and hopefully last check up is in two weeks time.

Weekend Racing

2008-06-02T18:09:00.019+09:30

This weekend with no World Inline Cup race scheduled our team split up to compete in two different events held on the same day. Cecilia and Tamara went to Germany to race in the Mittelrhein Marathon, part of the German Inline Cup series. Alexandra and myself stayed here in Switzerland to race the Swiss Open Championships held on the Weinfelden bank track. Our team had another successful week with Cecilia winning the marathon in Germany and myself winning all the events at the Swiss Champs. Tamara was 4th in the marathon and Alexandra who was feeling ill over the weekend still managed to pick up a 2nd and 3rd place at the Swiss Champs.

Here are a few pictures from the Mittelrhein Marathon thanks to Jorg Dietrich. You can view more images on the Team Bont Wheels website.

Swiss Open Championships

I was very surprised on Saturday when I turned up for racing and saw the program. I was expecting something that resembled a Worlds program as far as the distance of the races but instead saw we were racing events that my mother once raced. The sprint events which included a 300m time trial, 500m and 1500m were all held on Saturday. The long distance event were all held the next day, this included a 5000m points race, 3000m straight race and a 10,000m elimination.

I won the overall sprint title and overall distance title after winning all six races. Nadine Gloor was the first Swiss skater in all events and finished third overall in both the sprint and distance races. Shaneen Howard (Colombia) was second overall in the sprint and Martha Ramirez (Colombia) second overall in the distance. Alexandra was a little ill over the weekend so she sat out a few races but was second in the 500m and third in the 5000m points race.

Team Bont Wheels Official Website

2008-05-30T16:39:00.006+09:30

Our team now has an official website!

www.bontwheels.com/team

Jaw Update

2008-05-30T04:37:00.004+09:30

I was back at the hospital today for another check up. Everything is looking good and the wire splint inside my mouth should all be removed by the 9th of June as long as the x-rays look good. That was great news as we leave on the 12th to head to Korea and that would be a nightmare traveling that far with the wires and bands still on. It's been frustrating at times but now I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Rennes Video

2008-05-30T03:37:00.003+09:30

The RollerEnLigne site has a video with fantastic footage from the World Inline Cup race in Rennes. Click here to view the video.

WIC Rennes Video

2008-05-29T05:33:00.002+09:30

Niki Neck has uploaded a video on to Bont TV from the World Inline Cup race in Rennes. There is footage taken by Cheryl Begg and pictures from various sites also added. Click here to view the video.

WIC Rennes

2008-05-28T04:18:00.012+09:30

The World Inline Cup in Rennes is famous for being a wet weather race, but not this year. Some weather forecasts said rain and thunder but the bad weather held off and it was a dry race for both the men and women. The womens field of around 50 skaters started at 1.45 under pretty mild weather conditions unlike past years. The wind wasn't strong, the temperature was warm and of course no rain. Unlike the World Inline Cup races in Switzerland which are usually point to point or held on big circuits the Rennes course was 2.7km a lap through the city streets. The course is renowned as being tough due to cobbles, bricks, rough stretches of road, tight corners and a slight hill that has to be skated every single lap with a hairpin corner at the top.

For the past three years the womens race in Rennes has been won in a breakaway, so naturally a lot of people tried to escape. I have been in all the breaks the past three years and instigated nearly all of them so of course it was planned that I try to escape with another member of the Bont Wheels Team. Tamara, Alexandra and myself all attempted numerous times to escape but we were all chased down pretty rapidly as we were a marked team. Cecilia's job was to conserve as much energy as possible just in case it came down to a pack finish. With attacks being made causing the pace to constantly surge and the course taking it's toll the field of 50 soon dwindled down to about 25.

Tamara, Alexandra & Cecilia, Nicole
Photo - Francois & Marie

Throughout the race there were set sprint primes and one mystery sprint. I think this is a great idea, it makes the racing exciting for both the spectators and skaters. I had planned to attack over the top of the field after these sprints and while doing so picked up third place in three of the sprints. Alexandra was also third in the mystery sprint.

With three laps to go the pack was still together and it was looking like the race would end in a bunch sprint. A couple of last minute attempts were made by skaters to get away. It's risky to attack at this stage, being so close to the finish you risk using up all your energy but often the pack hesitates in chasing and someone can slip away. When these attacks were made I didn't hesitate and chased them down straight away because I knew our team had saved Cecilia for the sprint finish.

Going into the last lap quite a few teams wanted the first position in the pack. With narrow streets, corners and uneven road leading up to the finish straight our team plan was also to be in the front out of trouble and in control. With more than a kilometer to go Tamara took the lead for our team and lead us to the front of the pack. Once our team hit the lead Tamara kept the pace steady so we could not be swamped or easily passed. After going around the last tricky right hand corner Alexandra took over the lead for a few meters before Cecilia opened up for the last 150 meters to take the victory. It was a great day for the Bont Wheels Team taking not only the victory but also 2nd, 4th and 11th.

Heading into the final corner, Tamara leads.
Photo - Francois & Marie

There are some great photos from Francois & Marie and there should be some video up within the next few days on Bont TV.

Cecilia Baena

Womens Podium
Nicole Begg 2nd, Cecilia Baena 1st & Melisa Bonnet 3rd

Gearing Up

I felt a lot better this week and had more energy than the last race. I was able to open my mouth wider than last week when I took the bands off. So before the race I was able to have a banana, weetbix and really tiny pasta with sauce, no actually it was more like sauce with a tiny bit of pasta. Before the race last week I wasn't able to have anything semi solid, so it was a huge improvement this week.

Womens Results

1.Cecilia Baena, COL, Bont Wheels
2.Nicole Begg, NZL, Bont Wheels
3.Melisa Bonnet, ARG, Inline Center Matter
4.Alexandra Vivas, COL, Bont Wheels
5.Natalia Artero, ARG, Inline Center Matter
6.Marta Ramírez, COL, Bont IDRD
7.Hilde Goovaerts, BEL, Cado Motus
8.Liana Holguín, COL, Inline Center Matter
9.Nadine Gloor, SUI, Rollerblade IBU Austria
10.Sara Ervitti, VEN, Bont Bacatá
11.Tamara Llorens, ARG, Bont Wheels
12.Laetitia Le Bihan, FRA, Sarthé Loops Racing
13.Mariska Huisman, NED, Cado Motus
14.Jana Gegner, GER, Rollerblade MPC
15.Sara Bak, DEN, Rollerblade IBU Austria
16.Rommy Muñóz, COL, Bont Bacatá
17.Giovanna Turchiarelli, ITA, Powerslide Alessi
18.India Kuhn, SUI, X-Tech Crocs
19.Tina Struever, GER, Schankel World
20.Cinzia Ponzetti, ITA, Powerslide Alessi

Bont Wheels Team 1st & 2nd WIC Rennes

2008-05-26T15:15:00.002+09:30

The Bont Wheels Team was victorious in sunny Rennes yesterday taking the first two places in the World Inline Cup race. All the team nearly made the top 10 with Alexandra Vivas 4th and Tamara coming in 11th after giving the team a long lead out.

Womens Podium
1st Cecilia Baena, 2nd Nicole Begg & 3rd Melisa Bonnet

Mens Podium
1st Diego Rosero, 2nd Alexander Bastidas & 3rd Nelson Garzon

More photo's and a report to follow once I return to Switzerland. We are heading back to Switzerland this morning and have an 11 hour drive ahead of us.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-05-24T05:07:00.002+09:30

The past week has been pretty busy for the Bont Wheels Team and myself. We stayed the night in Holland after the World Inline Cup race last week and left Monday morning for our 8 hour journey back to Switzerland. Tuesday it was back into training and also still recovering from the hard race and travel.

Wednesday I had to wake up at 5.30 am as I had an early appointment at the hospital in Luzern. I had another check up and the doctor is happy with how my jaw is healing. The rubber bands will probably be on for another 3 weeks so I am half way there. Next week I have another check up and the week after that more x-rays will be taken.

Wednesday night there was racing at the Weinfelden bank track. I missed out on the racing last fortnight due to my jaw but this week I was back racing and won the points race and had the fastest flying lap time. Niki Neck has loaded videos onto Bont TV of the flying laps and the mens points race, the women should be up within the next few days.

Thursday for me was a recovery day. Because I am still unable to eat proper solid food I am finding it's taking me a lot longer to recover, I felt dead for most of the day.

This morning (Friday) the team went training and unfortunately Cecilia had a fall. She has taken a little bit of skin off but she should be fine for the race in Rennes. We also left for Rennes today after lunch. Seeing Rennes is about an 11 hour drive from Switzerland we decided to divide the journey. Today we drove 6 1/2 hours and we are staying the night at a hotel about 80km from Paris. Tomorrow morning we will have about 4 1/2 hours to go.

Alexandra Vivas Winner WIC, Wolvega

2008-05-21T05:36:00.013+09:30

The World Inline Cup finally made it to Holland for the first time. Wolvega, a small dutch village hosted the third round of the World Inline Cup series.

The womens race started at 2pm in the middle of the village cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. The first 500 meters of the race was neutralized but as soon as the flag was raised and the pace car took off the attacks started. The local skaters set the pace and attacked early. We had to react to all these early attacks made because many of the Dutch skaters were unknown. A handful of attacks were made in the first 15km of the race but none of them eventuated, then we hit the cobbles/small bricks. There was a patch about 3km long of small bricks which sent vibrations through your whole body, including my jaw. I went to the front and pushed the pace over this section because I just wanted to get over them as quickly as possible. Hilde Goovaerts then attacked half way over the section and was joined by myself, Liana Holguin and Catherine Penan but the small gap was soon closed down. Not long after that there was another tough section as we crossed over the dyke, the wind was really strong and the roads were rough and quiet narrow, again the attacks kept coming.

At the 31km mark there was a sprint for prizes. The team decided before the race that if we were near the front of the pack and not too many others were contending the sprint we would go for it. I followed a train of about four skaters from Cado Motus and popped out from behind them to lunge and take first off of Hilde Goovaerts by less than a wheel. Tamara Llorens (Bont Wheels) then attacked over the top of the pack as planned but before the gap opened up anymore she was chased down.

Bont Wheels Team made sure we had at least one team member in every serious attack throughout the race. This was successful and with less than 15km to go the winning break away was formed. Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels), Nadine Gloor (RB IBU Speedorom) and Elma de Vries (Cado Motus) were able to get away as Tamara was in control at the front of the pack. Liana Holguin then attacked and bridged the gap to the other three skaters. Jana Gegner tried to chase down the break along with members of the Alessi Powerslide team but their attempt was unsuccessful. A few kilometers down the road Catherine Penan headed to the front of the pack and started chasing but by this stage the breakaway of four skaters was well and truly gone and out of sight.

Elma de Vries had a small gap over the other three skaters in the break away through the cobbled streets of Wolvega heading towards the finish. Liana dropped off after her attempt to catch Elma leaving Alexandra to bridge the gap with Nadine Gloor on her wheel. Alexandra passed Elma through the last corner heading into the finish straight with about 250 meters to go followed closely by Nadine. Nadine made a final attempt to get past Alexandra with a few meters to go but Alexandra lunged at the line after stumbling to take first place for the Bont Wheels Team.

Tamara followed by Cecilia led the main pack through the cobbled streets up to the last corner, then Cecilia opened up down the last finish straight to win the pack sprint. By this stage I wasn't feeling too good at all and very low on energy but I managed to finish 10th. After being unable to eat solid food since Sursee two weeks ago I didn't feel like myself during the race. It doesn't matter how much energy is in the liquids I've been taking it just doesn't replace proper unprocessed food. I didn't feel strong and was unable to relax because I was aware and always conscious of my jaw, I didn't want to cause any more damage. Tamara after a long lead out and a lot of work during the race came in 20th.

I said in an interview before hand that I expected the WIC race in Wolvega to be hard with cobble stones, windy conditions and rough roads and my prediction was pretty much on the money.

The Winners
Alexandra Vivas (Bont Wheels) & Antonio Ruales (Bont IDRD)

Men top 7 & Women top 5

Bont Wheels Team Pre-Race

Alexandra & her husband John

Bill working out the WIC points.

South Canterbury Sportsperson of the Year

2008-05-17T02:56:00.007+09:30

I received a surprise phone call from OJ at port FM (Radio Station) last night to tell me I had won the South Canterbury sports person of the year award for the consecutive year. Unfortunately I was unable to be at the dinner last night to accept the award, but a recorded message was played. The South Canterbury region produces great athletes and some of the other nominees included an Olympic cyclist Marc Ryan and Junior NZ rally champion Hayden Paddon. It is an honor for my achievements to be recognized as minor sports often fly under the radar.

The Timaru Herald has an article online that you can read "Nicole skates home with award again".

There are a lot of people I want to thank and I will post about those people and their impact when I return from the WIC in Wolvega, Holland.

Skate Podium

2008-05-16T22:03:00.005+09:30

If you are able to read Dutch there is an article "Wereldtopper met gebroken kaak ann start" on Skate Podium. The article talks about my crash in Sursee, goals and this weekends World Inline Cup race in Wolvega, Holland.

Here is the information in English that the article was based off of:

Do you think you're fit enough to start in Wolvega this weekend?
Yes, for sure I will race this weekend in Wolvega. My jaw has not fully healed but the doctor has confirmed that it is ok for me to race this weekend.

Have you raced before in the Netherlands?
No I have never been to Holland before. I have heard a lot about the style of racing in Holland and the tough conditions. I have always wanted to race in Holland but have never been able to fit it into the schedule.

You had a good start in Zug, what about Sursee?
The team had a near perfect start to the season in Zug, we placed 1st, 2nd, 5th and 11th. The race in Sursee didn't turn out as planned as two of us crashed early on in the race and had quiet serious injuries. But we all managed to finish and salvage team points and Cecilia was able to get 3rd and retain the lead in the World Inline Cup.

What are you expecting in Wolvega, Do you like that the World Cup is in Holland?
I have heard that it is going to be a tough course with cobble stones and a lot of wind so this is what I'm expecting at this stage. I think a World Cup race in Holland is great because it may bring out a different style of racing in the womens pack.

What's you're goal for Wolvega?
Of course we would like someone from the team to win the race. When the team and an individual from the team is leading the World Inline Cup you have to set high goals.

Who's you're biggest competitor for Wolvega?
There are a lot of strong teams this year so we will be watching everyone. Rollerblade performed last week, Alessi are always a threat, Matter have had top placings, the Colombians are strong and of course the locals

How is it going with you're recovering?
It's really frustrating because I am unable to eat solid food. Everything I consume is slurped through a straw so it's very limiting. It just takes time to heal and there is not a lot I can do to speed up the process so I just have to be patient. My split chin has healed really well and the stitches are out and the hematoma on my leg has been getting treatment and has also healed.

How did it happen?
It happened about 10km into the race (WIC Sursee). The pack was going down a slight hill into a tight corner. I was positioned behind Alexandra and Cecilia was behind me. Whilst going into the corner someone came up the inside and tried to get between Cecilia and myself taking my skates out from under me. Because I could not see what was happening I did not anticipate the crash and had no time to land on my hands. My chin hit the ground first taking all the impact and therefor breaking my jaw.

You where 18th in Sursee, how can you skate with a broken jaw? Wasn't that very painful?
Yes it was quiet painful, but I think I can tolerate pain reasonably well. It never once crossed my mind to stop and pull out of the race. I knew I was going to finish the race just not too sure on how good the placing would be. My left leg was probably the most painful part of my body at that stage so when I could I rolled on one leg to relieve the pressure. There was blood everywhere from my split chin and because I was unable to see how bad it was it was quiet concerning.

What are you're goals for this season?
To be part of the number one team overall in the World Inline Cup. To have someone from the team win the overall and I would like to be in the top three. Of course another World Title would be nice.

What do you remember from the crash in Sursee?
I remember hitting the ground so hard with my chin and thinking oh **** there go my teeth, as I have chipped two teeth in a crash before. I got up as fast as I could and started skating to catch up to the pack. The next thing I done was check to make sure my teeth were all there, which they were. When I opened my mouth I knew pretty much straight away that I would need x-rays on my jaw and something was wrong.

You come from New Zealand and now you live in Switzerland? Can you tell some more about that?
I spend half my year in Switzerland and half in New Zealand. It is great for training because I never have a full winter. I live in Timaru, New Zealand for the off season and am based in Weinfelden, Switzerland for the skating season but I still call New Zealand home.

Back in the Pack

2008-05-16T06:02:00.004+09:30

I was back in Luzern at the hospital yesterday for another check up. The two wires holding my mouth together were cut and replaced by rubber bands. The bands are tight and there are quiet a few so there is a lot of resistance if I try open my mouth, so still no solid food. These bands are going to be on for two weeks and then another x-ray will be taken to see were we will go from there. I am hoping that x-ray in two weeks time shows that it is fully healed because I am getting frustrated. It's frustrating not being able to eat, I have gone nearly two weeks on liquids and knowing that I have to do it for at least another two is hard. I have found liquids, purees and baby products that are high in energy, protein and carbohydrates but just drinking all the time is simply horrible.

The doctor did confirm that I was able to race the World Inline Cup this Sunday in Wolvega, Holland. I will take the bands off for the race so I am able to open my mouth and get more oxygen and then I will replace the bands immediately after the race. I will still be unable to fully open my mouth but it will be better than the situation I am in at the moment. The stitches were taken out of my chin at the same time and it is looking great. The doctor in Sursee that stitched my chin up done a good job and I shouldn't be left with a scar. Cecilia has also had her stitches removed and has been getting treatment for her strained muscle, she is doing well and back skating.

I haven't missed out on too much training and last night I actually skated in a group for the first time since the fall in Sursee. The other skating I have done has been alone or a couple of meters off the back of the pack just to minimize the risk of someone clipping my skates. So last night it felt great just to be back in the pack and in the draft.

Back in the pack
Photo - Niki Neck

I'm recovering but it's just frustrating and there is not a lot I can do to speed up the process apart from listen to the doctors and be patient. I'm feeling much better this week than last week and a hundred times better than the week before that. The painkillers have gone and the skates are now back on.

Bont Gigantathon

2008-05-15T01:01:00.009+09:30

Bont has a new secret weapon: The Bont Gigantathon. The name basically explains everything, it's simply ginormous. It is a 23 inch 6 x 110mm 3 point frame not for the faint hearted. You can check out a video of the Gigantathon in action on Bont TV.

I wouldn't mind seeing someone attempt a crossover
on the Bont Gigantathon.
Just not me!

Alexandra & Tamara Dominate in Pamplona

2008-05-11T16:30:00.016+09:30

Alexandra Vivas and Tamara Llorens from the Bont Wheels Team are dominating the long distance events this weekend at the Circuito Internacional San Antonio, Pamplona. On the first day of racing the duo took the first two placings in all the long distance events.

In the 10,000 meters points race Alexandra took the victory comfortably winning with 29 points and Tamara second with 17. The race for third place was close with Jana Gegner (Germany) and Lucie Peruzzetto (France) both finishing with 7 points. Jana crossed the line ahead of Lucie therefor taking third place, Lucie 4th and Sabine Berg (Germany) fifth with 5 points. The members of the Bont Wheels Team took first and second again in the 10,000 meter points elimination race well ahead of the competition on points. Alexandra first with 25 points, Tamara second with 23 and third Lucie Peruzzetto 12. The 5000 meters was won again by Alexandra followed by Tamara and third once again going to Lucie. Today Alexandra and Tamara have one race left, the 10,000 meters elimination.

Alexandra followed by Tamara, taking the lead.
Photo - Mundo Patin

Womens Start
Photo - Mundo Patin

Alexandra Vivas
Photo - Mundo Patin

My Spirit has Lifted

2008-05-09T17:16:00.009+09:30

My spirit has lifted after I was finally able to get a decent nights sleep, eight hours of peace. My body was in desperate need of sleep because the first four nights after the race I averaged about three and a half hours sleep each night. The constant pain has now disappeared and I am off the dissolvable painkillers. So today I felt really good after a good nights sleep and no constant aching pain. Over the last couple of days I have been experimenting with new liquids and liquidized food because the menu was starting to get a bit boring. My body is adapting and I'm feeling quiet good under the circumstances.

I shouldn't lose any of my fitness, which is good because that was one of my initial concerns. I was able to skate alone yesterday at the track and again today. I've also cycled on the wind trainer which is set up in the garage. The hard thing at the moment is breathing when I'm exercising, I can't open my mouth so oxygen is limited. I learnt very quickly yesterday how to breath through my nose properly and not rely on my mouth. My left leg is still a little sore when I am skating but nothing like the pain I went through the first couple of days so it's bearable. My chin is also healing really well and not looking gruesome anymore. The stitches get taken out on Wednesday. Cecilia's knee is still sore as the stitches are right on the joint but they should be removed tomorrow.

This morning Alexandra and Tamara flew to Pamplona, Spain for the track racing this weekend. I was looking forward to racing in Pamplona on one of the fastest tracks in the World but am not able to race just yet. These things happen and I am just glad that it is not the World Champs or a WIC marathon on this weekend.

Here are a couple of nicer pictures than ones featured in previous posts of the Bont Wheels Team before the Sursee WIC last weekend.

The team plus the Kia outside our base in Weinfelden.

Pre-Race
Cecilia and myself are still intact.