Belotti Wisbech Roller Speed Club |

Joe notches win on club's bid day

Teams from all over the country raced at wisbech inline roller speed skating club's 30th anniversary meeting at the castle sports complex in spalding. It was a great day's recing, with some very close finishes too keep many spectators at the venue entertained. Joe adam Hardy was the host club's only winner, but they also achieved a number of second places.

Cateogry 5 - Shannon aldridge Owens - 2nd

Cateogry 4 - Joe Adam Hardy - 1st

Cateogry 1 - James Ashby - 2nd

Under 14s Relay - Joe Adam Hardy - 2nd

14+ Relay - Michael Macinerney and James Ashby - 2nd

&

The second BIC marathon event took place this weekend at the Goodwood Racing Circuit, organised by the Camberley skaters. Over 200 skaters took part, with all 3 distances (4.8miles, 12.5miles and full marathon distance) starting at the same time, which made for an exciting start to this fun event
Results
Full Marathon - James Ashby, Chris Orgill, Michael McInnerney
Ladies - Sol Findlay, Tanya Gibson, Linda Harrison
James Ashby, Belotti Wisbech (racing in the under 18's age range) beat all comers to finish in a course record of 1.14.34.
For full results see
http://www.goodwoodmarathon.co.uk/
BWRSC/August 2007

Joe finds glory with his winning boots

A ten-year-old local lad is putting his skates on to sporting glory.
Joe Adam Hardy is the new rising star of the Team Belotti Inline Speed Skating team.

And there was triple glory for the lad from Whaplode St Catherine when he took the honours in three races at a major championships in London.

He took gold in the 500m, 800m and 1,000 metre races in just his first year in the sport.

Joe was talent-spotted while skating with his mum and family at the Walpole Highway skating rink by Team Belotti trainer Hugh Dogget.

"He saw Joe on his quad skates and gave him a pair of inliners to try and that was it," said proud mum Dawn, who has been skating since she was 13.

"Joe must have been born with skates on, it comes easy to him."

Club spokesman Marion Dogget said: "He really has taken to the sport, what he has achieved in such a short space of time is amazing."

Team Belotti are part of the well established Wisbech Roller Speed Club, which saw its glory days in the 1980s when it had 40 skaters.

The sport throughout the UK has been in the doldrums and the Wisbech club now has a dozen members but, says Marion, there is growing national interest, particularly from the young.

"Schools are now being encouraged to have speed skate teams and nationally there is growing interest," said Marion. "The sport seems to be taking off again."

The youngest members of Team Belotti are just five years o
ld with the oldest being 17.

"Parents need not worry about the expense, we try and encourage our members to sell on their skates and equipment when they grow out of them," she said.

But if you want to buy new equipment, a set of skates, plate and boots will set you back about £150 with added expense for helmet and other safety equipment.

Joe wasn't the only team member who won gold in London. Robert McDonald (17) from Bourne took the honours in the 500m and 1,000m races and was 2nd in the 3,000m.

"It was a good result from Robert, having just returned to inline speed skating from a winter of ice hockey," said Marion.

It is hoped the club will have more success at the British Inline Marathon to be held in Preston on Sunday, when 15-year-old James Ashby will compete, before returning to take his exams!

If you are interested in joining the club call Marion on 01945 584794.

The full article contains 435 words and appears in Lincolnshire Free Press newspaper.
Last Updated: 29 May 2007 10:40 AM