Begg crashes in Europe

World class inline skater Nicole Begg’s recent winning form in Europe has been bought to an abrupt halt after a crash has left her with a torn ligament in her left foot.

Racing for the World Inline Cup Team Bont Wheels the two time world champion was racing in the Unive Skate Off in Heerde, Holland last Friday, when she crashed with only three laps of the 10 kilometre points elimination race remaining

Well ahead on points she was positioning herself to collect more points in the closing stages when a skater tried to pass on the inside of the corner causing her to slide out and fall with Begg running straight into her.

The New Zealander picked herself up but was unable to put any pressure on her left foot so hobbled to the finish as no officials pulled her from the event. She lost all her points as she was lapped by the lead skaters.

Begg had been in fine form winning three large International races so far this year, and winning the French Inline Cup opening Marathon at Nimes and then Rennes, which also doubled as a World Cup Event.

As well as the torn ligament she has strained other ligaments in the leg as well problems and has a small clot in her calf and thombosis. She expects it will take four to six weeks to recover.

“It's frustrating because I felt so strong this year and had a really good base from my off season training in New Zealand,” she said.

“Last year I also had a nightmare at the start of the season when I broke my jaw. I lost a lot of strength and missed out on a lot of hard training but still managed to do well at the World Championships. I was looking forward to this year because I felt stronger than ever and was hoping to have a good season and a build up to the World Championships in September.”

Her father Bill Begg said from Europe that they have an appointment with leading Sports Doctor Pierre Hofe who is a specialist on skating related injuries.

Begg said he conducted the surgery on fellow New Zealand skater Scott Arlidge who broke an ankle and went on to win several world titles after the operation.

“We have no doubt she is receiving some of the best advice possible,” he said.
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Editors notes
• Inline Skating is not big in New Zealand, but it's huge overseas.
• Two years ago at age 19, Begg realised being a world champion was not enough to get noticed.
• Even after being nominated for a Halberg Award, the Timaru teenager's international impressive feats in inline speed skating created little interest.
• Begg posed for a series of racy but "tasteful" shots featuring her wearing only her skates – they were intended for an international skating publication.
• The pictures were pounced on by media around the world.
• Her bold move saw her featured in newspaper spreads across Europe and on television and radio in the United States and South America.
• Begg has won a total of 5 world titles, her most recent victory being Overall Track World Champion for 2008, she has also had numerous placings in competitions around the world.
• She is sponsored by Skins NZ, Kia Motor vehicles, Thai Foods, Bont Skates, SPARC, BONT, Lifetime Financial Security N.Z. Ltd, Trifour Industries - Uvex, Beggsport and the South Canterbury Stadium Sports Trust.
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For more information please contact:

David Watt
Brandex Adventure Sports Ltd
03 373 8178
0272 260 099
www.skins.co.nz

John McKenzie
enthuse ltd
021 384 730
03 384 7338