Getting stuck in New Zealand due to Covid in 2020, Chilean Romina Silva Rojas returned to the sport of speed skating for something to do – and has been cleaning up in national championships ever since.

Her numerous speed skating achievements are too lengthy to list but her recent accolades include obtaining six silver medals and three bronze medals at the New Zealand National Championship in Palmerston North in January.

'My favourite moment from nationals was in the mixed relay…we skated in the 1200m and came third place,” says Romina.

No escaping skating

Romina has roller-skated since the age of six, and was a young athlete in speed skating when she was 14-15, being holder of Chiles National Speed Skater. She then took a break from skating to study at university and has had an on-and-off relationship with the sport since 2009.

It took a global pandemic in 2020 to glue her back into her skates.

'When I came to New Zealand Covid arrived and I got stuck here so for this reason I started to look into another sport and another thing to do; and I came back to my sport of speed skating.

'I got my first NZ National Roller Sport Speed Championship, which was held in the city of Whanganui in 2021.”

Speedy in the short distance, Romina took out first place for the 200 metres in the Master Ladies category.

Skating for kids

Now making NZ her home, Romina is sharing her love of speed skating in Tauranga. Last October she joined Active Sparks – a sport organisation and began teaching kids to skate.

'I proudly run skating programmes that have benefited more than 150 primary school children, in six different schools in the Papamoa and Mount Maunganui area.”

She helps to build kids confidence on skates with mini games and fun challenges.

'I wanted the children to know my passion and also that there are other sports apart from the traditional ones such as soccer, basketball and rugby that can be practised.

'My future plans with skating is to continue living as an athlete and having the chance to teach the community – children and adults of all ages – that roller sports are a good option to maintain an active life through play and as an inspiring sport.”