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Ice Hockey Skills pair on target

 

Ice Hockey Skills pair on target

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AOC
Ice Hockey Skills pair on target
Madison Poole is in equal first place and Jake Riley equal fifth after a great first day of competition in the Ice Hockey Skills Challenge at Lillehammer 2016.

ICE HOCKEY: Madison Poole is in equal first place and Jake Riley equal fifth after a great first day of competition in Ice Hockey Skills at the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games.

They both completed the fastest lap and shooting accuracy tests at the Kristins Hall in Olympic Park.

Poole came into the competition with high expectations for the fastest lap challenge and she didn’t disappoint. She won the event in qualifying comfortably in the end after earlier setting a personal best time to pip the excellent Japanese athlete, Sena Takenaka in the quarter-final

The win earnt her the maximum five points for the skill.

“I beat the Japanese girl at the qualifying tournament in Finland but it was tight so we knew that would be the toughest round today,” Poole said. “And I won so I’m really happy, and that means if I make the top eight I’ll be seeded number one for this in the finals.

Poole was knocked out in the quarter-finals of Shooting Accuracy but is confident she can improve if she gets another shot in the finals.

Riley also produced a personal best time, however he had a very tough draw and didn’t progress past the first round. He bounced back well though in the shooting accuracy test to reach the semi-final to earn three points and have him well placed against his 15 competitors.

“I lost my rhythm in the last one (semi-final). I missed my first one and that threw my off,” Riley said. “But I’m not too fussed about it, I’m happy with where I got.”

Australian Youth Coach Tamra Jones was very pleased with the first day.

“You can’t ask more than for athletes to do personal bests and deliver out on the ice,” Jones said.

“We got the points and are well placed now going into the final four skills for both athletes. “

Poole will complete Skating Agility, Fastest Shot, Passing Precision and Puck Control on Sunday in Lillehammer, with Riley having a day off and completing his qualification on Monday.

“I really want to make the final, that’s what I’m aiming for. I’m having so much fun here it’s amazing with the atmosphere and the culture. I love it here!”

The top eight girls and boys will chase the medals later in the week with a clean slate of points, however the seedings from qualification carry over.

“There is a long way to go but it has been a very good day, so I’m happy,” Jones said.

Both athletes had plenty of supporters in the crowd and they dealt with the pressure well. They were already raising questions from journalists about Ice Hockey and winter sports in Australia.

Andrew Reid
Olympics.com.au

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