We are proud and excited that both Shane Dobbin and Blake Skjellerup will be representing New Zealand at the Olympic Winter Games.  The games start in Vancouver, Canada on February 12

Blake has been based in Calgary, training more than 6 hours a day with an international squad for the past 15 months. He is fine tuning his programme with less than 2 weeks to go until the start of the Short Track events, Blake will skate all three distances 500m, 1000m & 1500m.  He is totally focused on achieving NZ first Olympic Short Track Medal since competing at the qualifying event in Marquette in November 2009.  Blake strongly believes and has always had the potential to make his own luck, which produced a result of 15^th in the 1000m at the qualifying event.  Several of Blakes training squad members will also be stepping on the ice competing against him.

Shane Dobbin is also finalizing his Olympic preparation in Salt Lake City, training along side skaters from the US Speed skating team.  There will be several speed skaters competing against Shane at the Winter Olympics who are also World Champion Inline Skaters.  Shane will represent New Zealand in the 5000m Speed Skating event at the Games on the second day of competitions.   Shane finished 11^th in Salt Lake City in December and has an overall ranking of 14^th this season.    

We all appreciate and understand that it has taken years of hard work and training to reach this Olympic pinnacle and we are certain that they will embrace the opportunity of being ambassadors for our sport and also as athletes representing our country as part of the New Zealand team.  We hope they have a great competition and our very best wishes for more success go with both Shane and Blake to the Winter Olympics.