Skater set to break coach's record

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.

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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.

- © Fairfax NZ News