A little late World Championships update

A little late than never, now Im back home with my family in Whakatane after an epic trip home.

Worlds finished off the trip pretty sweet...

My aim was top 40 and I started 75th so well near the back of the over 100 riders, It was on from the gun I was been blasted by mud and stones on the start lap, Lately the start laps have been pretty good giving you a chance to get to the single track in a good spot, and move up as best you can. this start lap went on a 4 wheeled road for maybe a km and half then into the main climb of the track, before it went sharp right back into the single track down hill. It was balls out all the way to the single track then again like always in the big races it was bottle necked and we were all running while the front ones boosted away. I was 71st after the 1st start lap then the track opened up and I was boosting feeling like Katie did so I was stoked.
It had been looking like it was going to rain all weekend and then after 3 perfect laps it pist down, but it just made me love it more just like nationals, I had got up to 62 as it started to rain then after the 1st wet lap I jumped up to 52nd and had done the 35th fast lap, as it was getting near the end of the race I was thinking about the 80% lap out rule and thinking I was well inside it was because I didn't feel that far down, and usually top 60 riders are on the lead lap. on the 2nd to last lap I had moved even further up the field into the late 40s but on the final climb I really blu a valve and a few guys snuck past me down the last decent. As we were coming to the 80% I saw a few guys standing there, I was instantly stunned what the hell was happening I didn't no ( well yes they were pulling riders). So I was pulled with a lap to go, the bit that pist me and everyone else that was standing there off was it took 2 and half mins for the leader to come past us and we were 300 meters from the finish line. So there was No way in hell we could have been past by him or got in the way, my 90 year old nana could have walked to the end and not been past.

So 36 people made the last lap a world 1st... and everyone around was shocked and pist off but I finished up 52nd in my 1st year elite. I was happy but at the same time I didn't no if it was good enough. but after the race everyone was rating my ride and when other teams asked how I went they were rating it also so I think 52nd is good haha. you wait till next year...

Back home now, its good been home but freezing cold but im hardy complaining.. no riding and fishing and ski trips to plan and maybe a little work for old Evan to repay him for a perfectly executed season.

We cant thank everyone in Europe that helped us out, enough and we made some very good friends. we wish they will come to New Zealand so we can host them like they hosted us.

there are pics to come but im kinda really excited to go whitebaiting now haha so ill post them tomorrow morning when jet lag wakes me up at 3am

Thanks
Carl

Race photos and an epic adventure



Race Start, No where to be seen.. I had to move up in the climbing getting boxed out near to the back after starting in 21st



Frustrated with a chain jam





covered in dirt after spending more time on the ground than upright as things got wild after I bent my bars





Post Race Adventure - the break off the bike kicks off in full force as Sam, Ant and I concur the Via Ferrata

U23 Womens World Mountain Bike Championships

The race of the year rolled around very quickly. This morning I woke up a little sleep deprived after the very very sound proof ski chalet we were staying in failed along with my ear plugs to drown out the noise of others who couldn't sleep, although feeling as though I had been hit by a bus I had until 5pm to pick myself up from this which included a 20minute power nap and alot of relaxing! by the time 2pm hit I was eating my pre race pasta and I knew what was coming and was feeling ready, all the training had been put in, all the resting leading in had also been executed perfectly and all that was left was to get the head into gear and go out there and hit it hard!

off the line I did not instantly rocket forward but by the first climb I found myself on the edge of the grass bank going for it hitting gaps and moving as far forward as I could before the single track. my first laps went well and at one point I had managed to get into the top 10 here I got a little excited and things got a wee bit loose on the rooty technical track, a few mistakes followed which I came back from followed by a spectacular fast line down a steep shoot in the track when an inside line passing tactic went a little wrong and I flipped my way down to the bottom. The body took a fair impact and i struggled from here loosing positions but fighting as hard as I could to keep it together and stay in the race, these two last laps after my crash were full of pain but I limited my losses and managed to finish in 15th.

Stoked with the race I had form in my legs and gave it my all.. everything except flipping down a shoot.

I am nicely dosed up on pain killers and about to head up for Ant to work his magic and fix up my back so I get out there and have my full on Kiwi supporting form for all the racing to come!

All the support on the track was amazing! and every one back home thinking of me it all helped!!! thanks!

Bitter sweet, Bring on next season
Katie