Wisbech Inline Speed Skaters took twenty skaters of all ages to the Indoor British Championships at the weekend, scooping 30 medals and seven new British champions.

Wisbech Standard: Wisbech Inline Speed Skaters brought home 30 medals between them and seven new British Champions at the Indoor British Championships. Photo: Jo TidmanWisbech Inline Speed Skaters brought home 30 medals between them and seven new British Champions at the Indoor British Championships. Photo: Jo Tidman (Image: Jo Tidman)

The day started with 100mt dobbin sprints (flying laps) which is a new event for 2018.

Coach Glen Brown triumphed in the Masters Mens category to become British Champion in the 100mt event.

Flynn McGurk gained a second place and James Eve being the final medal holder in third place.

Youngster Arthur Buckler from Wisbech eased to victory in all three of his events to retain his Mini Boys British Champion title.

Wisbech Standard: Wisbech Inline Speed Skaters brought home 30 medals between them and seven new British Champions at the Indoor British Championships. Photo: Jo TidmanWisbech Inline Speed Skaters brought home 30 medals between them and seven new British Champions at the Indoor British Championships. Photo: Jo Tidman (Image: Jo Tidman)

Leah Barker, taking part in her first British Champs, gained an impressive second place in all of her events.

Meanwhile Eve McInerney in the Juniors category and Masters Ladies competitor Jo Tidman both finished consistently in second place in all three of their events.

Next up were the short races.

Amongst tough competition, James Eve fought for second place in his category.

Wisbech Standard: Left to right, back row: James Eve, Glen Brown, Warren Eve, Dylan Taylor, Graham Freear, David Billington, Karl Bates, Mike McInerney. Middle row: Jo Tidman, Tiago Fougo, Flynn McGurk, Charlotte Stapleton, Eve McInerney, Lucy McInerney. Front row: James Garwell, Taylor Barker, Leah Barker, Kirby Barker, Arthur Buckler.Left to right, back row: James Eve, Glen Brown, Warren Eve, Dylan Taylor, Graham Freear, David Billington, Karl Bates, Mike McInerney. Middle row: Jo Tidman, Tiago Fougo, Flynn McGurk, Charlotte Stapleton, Eve McInerney, Lucy McInerney. Front row: James Garwell, Taylor Barker, Leah Barker, Kirby Barker, Arthur Buckler. (Image: Jo Tidman)

Masters competitor Glen Brown also gained a silver medal after a tight race to the finish.

Bronze medal winners were Flynn McGurk, James Garwell and Lucy McInerney in their respective categories.

The second and final races of the day were longer distance.

Masters Mens skater David Billington eased to victory to become 1,500mts British Champion.

James Eve finished in second place again in the Cadet Boys category and was joined by third place finishers Warren Eve (Youths) and Mike McInerney (Senior Men).

Lucy McInerney put in an impressive performance in the Ladies Junior Category, making a tactical move on her competitor to steal third place in the last few laps of the 1,500mts event.

Kirby Barker, the youngest member of the team at just 6-years-old, finished in an impressive third place in the mini boys category.

The final events of the day were the most exciting with the team relays.

Twin sisters Eve and Lucy were in tune with each other on track and triumphed in the tough 3,000mts event to become British Champions for 2018 and retain their title from last year.

The most thrilling race of the day was the 3,000mts mens relay event which saw 14 year old Flynn McGurk teamed with his coach Mike McInerney.

They started the event with a ¼ lap deficit over their competitors from Essex but put on an impressive show to make their way to the front with Flynn taking the overall lead with just three laps to go.

With one changeover to go, Mike surged ahead to take an epic win from their rivals to become the Mens 2018 relay champions.

The team were also joined by newcomers Maxwell Webb and Tiago Fougo.

Additional competitors were Taylor Barker, Dylan Taylor, Graham Freear, Charlotte Stapleton and Karl Bates.

Other news of the day was that Arthur collected his trophy for Skater of the Year for 2017 as previously announced, and he also won the trophy for Most Promising Young Skater for 2017.

Coach Mike said: “Well done to everyone who raced today.

“You all did yourselves proud.”

Amanda McGurk, club secretary, said “Congratulations to everyone taking part...medals or not, it’s a fantastic achievement...the club is going from strength to strength and it’s the coaches, skaters and supporters that make that happen.”

The team are now focussing on outdoor training and racing starts again in mid-April.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/wisbechinlinespeedskatingclub