Racing News Update

Written by T Dobbin
Just this past weekend, Shane Dobbin received an email from the Ice Speed Skating Federation from New Zealand with an invitation to go to Salt Lake City in the USA early January to race in the North American & Oceania All Round Championship event and against some of the best skaters in the World. Racing for USA will be Olympic Champions Shani Davis & Chad Hedrick & competiting for Canada will be Denny Morrision, plus many more top speed skaters from this region. The first day of the competition is the 10th of January with the 500 meter and 5 kilometer events. Followed by the second day (11th of January) with the 1500 meter and 10,000 kilometer events. All events will be skated in the Utah Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City where the 2002 Winter Olympics Speed Skating events were held. http://www.saltlakecityutah.org/utaholympicoval.htm

Shane Dobbin got the confirmation last night from his marathon team DSB Bank with allowence he is able to get leave for that weekend's Essent Cup race in Eindhoven and race in Salt Lake City in this event. It will be his first big overseas speed skating event representing New Zealand and of course with the support from his sponsor DSB Bank http://www.schaatsploeg.nl/ . Shane will fly to Salt Lake City early January to have a few days on the ice before the races start. It will be his first time racing most of the distances but it's a great chance for him to gain experience, knowledge and to skate on some of the best ice in the World.


Also racing in Salt Lake City for New Zealand is the young Dj Nation who also got accepted to attend this race meet. It will be great experience for Dj Nation who will hopefully make it to the Junior World Championships next year in February 2009 where it will be his first and last year of Junior Worlds before moving into Senior.

Keep posted for more information regarding this competition!