Skjellerup Takes National Title in Dunedin
Kiwi Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup has claimed his latest national title after a clean sweep at the New Zealand National Speed Skating Championships in Dunedin.
Skjellerup, who was New Zealand’s only speed skater at last year’s Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, won all four of his individual races in the two-day event as well as racing with his Auckland club’s relay team who also won their race.
The wins put Christchurch-born Skjellerup in good stead for the New Zealand Winter Games which are also running in Dunedin at the same time. The speed skating portion of the games begins on Saturday 27th with skaters from around the world competing.
Skjellerup said he was pleased with the results from his first competition of the season and looking forward to getting back into international competition.
“It’s always wonderful to be able to compete here at home and it felt great to be back out on the ice racing. It’s fantastic that New Zealand has the facilities to host international competitions like this and I hope people will take advantage of the fact that we have some international skaters here and come down and cheer on us locals.”
Off the ice, the openly gay athlete is heavily involved with community work including fronting the anti-bullying campaign Pink Shirt Day, conducting a nationwide diversity and acceptance tour through secondary schools, and appearing in the 2011 Red Nose Day TV commercial.
Skjellerup recently delivered the keynote address at the Human Rights Conference at the Vancouver Out Games and is next week being inducted as an ambassador to the Federation of Gay Games in Sydney.
Skjellerup is also spending time fundraising for his campaign for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia by approaching corporates, foundations and asking individuals to donate through his website www.blakeskjellerup.com.
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