40km points race!

Yesterday marked a couple of "firsts" for me. It was the first time that I've raced in the tiny country of Liechtenstein, and it was the first time that I (and most of the other racers) have skated a 40km points race.

It was also the first of May, a public holiday in some areas in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which is why there was a race on a Tuesday. Some skaters were tired from the races at Gross Gerau, but most of the skaters were using the 40K as their last hit out for the WIC race this weekend in Basel.

Once again, the weather was really hot for April. The race was held along with a cycling criterium, and on the same course. A 1km lap with a couple of small up and downs, and a tight corner about 150m before the finish. Points were awarded every 5 laps, and there were also a couple of money sprints in there, too.

The race started out quite fast. Kalon Dobbin from Powerslide and Wayne Begg from Bont/Inline Center both scored points early on. Meanwhile, my teammate Roger Schneider was making some strong attacks and putting pressure on others to chase.

I attacked a couple of km before the 4th sprint and held on to win the 3 points awarded. Soon the pack caught me. A couple of laps later I found myself in another breakaway with fellow Kiwi DJ Nation (Spirotiger/Inline Center). There were three sprints left, one money sprint and the final sprint. I won the first 2 sprints, DJ won the next sprint and the money sprint, and then I won the final sprint. Meanwhile back in the pack Kalon Dobbin was picking up the third places. In the end the results went-

1st Scott Arlidge 17 points
2nd Kalon Dobbin 13 points
3rd DJ Nation 12 points
4th Wayne Begg 8 points
5th Mauro Casu 5 points

While its seemed like and all Kiwi affair, there were also skaters from Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy. ... Now it's time for some R & R before Basel.