Bont Wheels Team 1st, 2nd & 5th in Zug

Yesterday the first World Inline Cup race got underway in Zug, Switzerland. After a few cold weeks in Switzerland I was pretty certain that with a 5pm start everyone was going to freeze. But Zug delivered brilliant weather, clear blue sky and a temperature of around 18 degrees.
The womens field this year in the World Inline Cup is strong with a heap of new skaters and top teams. This made a difference in the race with more constant movement in the bunch and more action. For our fist race together I think our team, Bont Wheels raced good and worked well as a unit. Cecilia won, myself 2nd, Alexandra crossed the line in 3rd but was then relagated to 5th and Tamara 11th.

P.S Sorry I haven't been able to update the blog, things have been a bit hectic this last week with no running water and no internet at the house. The water is now back up and running but we are still having difficulties with the internet, hopefully Monday or Tuesday that will be on.

Drama League Pictures

About two months ago I visited a Drama League in Timaru that were rehearsing for their upcoming performance, The Wizard of Oz. In the Wizard of Oz there are flying monkeys but instead of them flying the co-director came up with the idea of skating monkeys. My skating expertise came in handy and I gave them a few tips so they don't fly off the stage. Here are a few pictures I received. The opening night is in a few days so I hope it all goes as planned and is a successful evening.

I Have Arrived

Last night I arrived safely in Switzerland. Tamara Llorens arrived from Argentina today and Cecilia and Alexandra are due to arrive in the next few days. The cold temperature was a bit of a shock to the system after the hot summer we have had in New Zealand but it should warm up in the next week. The first race of the World Inline Cup is in Zug this Saturday.

Learn to Skate

In early December Cheryl and myself started learn to skate lessons at the local skating rink on Sunday afternoons. It has been a great success, some weeks we have had up to 30 kids skating. Out of the learn to skate lessons the club now has a group of keen young speed skaters. The Timaru Speed Skating club produced many great New Zealand representative skaters back in the day, but has lacked numbers in recent years. With a group of enthusiastic kids, supportive parents and coaching the club has now been resurrected.


The learn to skate lesson's to start with were about learning basic skating skills with a lot of fun and games. After a few weeks we started converting kids onto speed skated that were keen to have a go. With a group of about 8 on speed skates we started speed training about 2 months ago on Friday nights, and went from just basic skills to speed technique. I love seeing the improvement in the kids from week to week and the enjoyment they get from skating.



The Timaru Herald and Port FM helped promote the learn to skate lessons and spark interest. Here is an article that was in the Timaru Herald before Christmas, Top tuition available to SC skaters.

TV One News

Last night I was on TV One News. This is one of New Zealand's main TV channels and is at 6pm every night. I wasn't sure what day it was going to be aired so I was actually at the gym so could only see the visual, but it looked pretty good. I have been trying to find the video online but it is not up yet so I will keep my eye out for it.

Speaking Engagements and Appearances

Since my return back to New Zealand last October I have been overwhelmed by the number of events I have been asked to attend. I have attended school events, club gatherings, staff meetings and even a birthday party appearance.

Schools
I have been a guest speaker at two local primary school's end of year graduation/prize giving. I have also visited Waituna Creek School and was a guest at Gleniti School's Jump Power Day. It is great to be able to talk to the kids and tell them my story of how I actually got to were I am. It wasn't easy and it didn't happen overnight or get handed to me on a silver platter. I had to work really hard and a lot of people do not hear about that because they only hear about my success.

Drama League
A few weeks back now I visited a Drama League here in Timaru that were rehearsing for their up coming performance "The Wizard of Oz". Instead of flying monkeys they are having skating monkeys in the play. My skating expertise came in handy and I gave them a few tips so they don't fly off the stage and into the crowd.

Life Education Harold Club
I spoke about a month ago at the local Harold Club. The Harold Club is a group of local people and local business owners that support the Life Education Trust. The Life Education Trust is an organisation that teach young people throughout New Zealand about health and how to life a healthy life. I remember when I was at school the life education bus came to visit and I still remember being told by them "Do you think it would be cool walking down the street sucking on toilet cleaner and moth balls? Because that's what you do when you stick a cigarette in your mouth."

Temuka Pakeke Lions Club Sports Person of the Year
Last week I was the guest speaker at The Temuka Lions Club Sports Person of the Year. It was a great evening that acknowledged the sporting talent from Temuka and the district, from the young to the young at heart.

Rotary Club of Timaru
Last Tuesday I was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Timaru. On the 11th of April, the same day as I head back to Europe the Rotary Club are having a charity auction. Myself and Anderson and Bremford Studios have donated a Nicole Begg Calendar for the auction. If you are interested in placing a bid you can visit the website here.

Aorangi Womens Probus
This morning I spook at Aorangi Womens Probus. This was a great group of women to speak to that all meet up on a monthly basis. I hope I am as active and look as young as they do once I reach their age.

Christmas Parade
I was part of the previous Timaru Christmas Parade with my Kia decorated. The parade theme was "Commotion in the Ocean". We were going to get Bill on skates as a skating Santa but only one Santa is allowed, they didn't want to confuse the kids.

Articles from The New Zealand Herald

The New Zealand Herald is our countries largest Newspaper distributed right throughout the country. Being a minor sport in New Zealand speed skating has found it hard to gain publicity and recognition, especially in big publications like the Herald. After my much talked about photo's, publicity and awareness for the sport has grown throughout New Zealand. Here are a few articles that have featured in our countries largest newspaper.

Inline skating a family affair for world champ
August 25, 2007
Click to view article online page 1
Click to view article online page 2

World Inline Skating Gold for NZ
August 21, 2007
Click to view article online

Begg NZ's latest world champ
August 21, 2007
Click to view article online

Baring all does trick for undervalued skater
April 21, 2007
Click to view article online