Nicole rolls back into town
Speedskater Nicole Begg is back in Timaru for a mid-season break from northern hemisphere competition but has Colombia on her mind.
The 23-year-old has been based in Europe since February and now has almost a month at home before heading off again in a buildup to the World Inline Championships in South America in October.
"It's nice to be back home among family and friends and I am only missing one race of any significance."
Begg has been competing with success in both the World Inline Cup marathon and track series and sits second overall in the marathon behind Colombian Cecilia Baena and leads the track series, having missed the podium only once in 10 events.
Her racing has been somewhat harder without a team around her for support this year but the former world champion's new Chinese sponsor X-Tech was keen for the exposure in Europe.
Begg is unlikely to hold her standings, however, as her next stop is a world-class training venue in China to prepare for the worlds, which is her main focus for the year.
She is hoping to add to her two previous titles and is likely again to be the only skater to race in every event from the 500m upwards.
Conditions in Colombia will certainly test Begg with Guarne, the host city, at 2150m above sea level and the altitude could have an effect on her performance as she has never raced at anywhere near that height.
"I've been to St Moritz plenty of times but it's way below that," she said.
Begg leaves on August 16 and will compete in the Asian Inline Cup and possibly a WIC marathon in Korea, which only a two-hour flight from where she is based.
Her programme may however be adjusted to ensure she does not hand the Colombians, who are a powerhouse in skating, too much of an advantage.
While at home Begg is largely keeping off the skates. Instead she will focus on building up the kilometres on bike, gymnasium work and off-skate plyometrics.
She will also spend time coaching the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club speed squad which has grown tenfold in the last two seasons.
"I'm really happy how much they have improved," she said.
She will also attend a learn-to-skate session at the Caroline Bay rink this Sunday afternoon at 2pm and no doubt will spend time signing autographs for her growing number of fans.
Also on her agenda is helping to fundraise for the new $455,000 track.
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