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Brisbane, Queensland hosted the Australian National Championships from 12-18 January - after New Zealand (who run their Nationals from New Year's Day each year) one of the first National Championships of the New Year.
China's Xiang Li leads Andrew Finster in the 500m
Images courtesy Skate Australia
High temperatures throughout January meant the Road Championship events began at 4pm each day and were raced into the night under lights at Nundah Criterium Circuit, with Indoor events being held in the following days on a fast and tight floor at the Brisbane Entertainment Center.
Front end of the Mens Elimination field
Images courtesy Skate Australia
Senior International races were hard-fought in the Men's division, with 5 different race winners across the road events. Europe-based marathoner Edward Dimmack surprised with an opening 200m victory over the favored Andrew Finster, with Finster redeeming himself with the 500m sprint final win. Another Europe-based marathoner Daniel Finster claimed the Points-Elimination win on the first night, returning to competition after being forced out of the World Championships with a broken collarbone during practice in Spain. CadoMotus' Michael Byrne won the 20km Open Elimination event on the second night of racing, and backed up with a win the following morning in the 1000m, and Daniel Finster made it a points double winning the Points race on the last night of the Road competition.
Michael Byrne leads Daniel Finster in the 20km Elimination
Images courtesy Skate Australia
In the Senior International Women's division, CadoMotus' Angeline Thomas suffered a heavy crash in practice the day before competition started. She managed to open strongly the following day, winning the 200m time trial and later the Points-Elimination. With CadoMotus/BOB's Brooke Lochland a clear second in all events, Thomas went on to win the 500m sprint final - but crashed heavily a second time on night 2 during the Elimination and was taken to hospital and would take no further part in the Championships. Lochland swept the remaining events in Thomas' absence, winning the Elimination, 1000m final and Points race on the final day.
CadoMotus' Brooke Lochland and Angeline Thomas
Images courtesy Skate Australia
The Indoor Championships showcased some fast racing across all divisions on the fast and tight floor, with 8 National Records broken - including every existing Senior Men's indoor record. Andrew Finster broke an 11-year old 300m record set on equally-ideal floor conditions, as well as posting a new 500m sprint record. Daniel Finster set a new record on his way to the 1000m win, and took 58 seconds off the existing 5000m record in a concerted and impressive effort that saw him solo the final 2000m. Michael Byrne set a new record in his 3000m win, and together with Andrew Finster, Jai Trento and indoor specialist James Evans set a new record in the Men's 3000m Relay.
Brooke Lochland on her way to a 5km indoor record
Images courtesy Skate Australia
Brooke Lochland set a new Women's record in her 300m win, as well as a record in the Women's 5000m open event - which also stood as the outright 5000m record for a few minutes until Daniel Finster set a new mark during the Men's open.
