Crazy thinking back a year, to where Jeannie Bomford, South Africa’s best multisport export, is readying herself, I cant help but relive some of the emotions. I get half nostalgic and half excited for her, wishing her to have a good day at the incredible events 26th running.
(Richard Ussher winning in 2006)
There is a brilliantly festive atmosphere on the Friday night, with a race briefing in the middle of nowhere. A real one horse town that has most significantly a town hall, which has been re-done by Coast to Coast funds, and secondly, has a horse race course where the masses can camp. The pro field can attend, but few would, as the briefing is the same show annually, with its star Robyn Judkins. He’s the race founder, the race director, the colour of the legacy. He’s as eccentric as as cameleon on a smarty box. Literally. And has a trademark of wearing shirts you’d usually only see at a fancy dress occasion.
Back to the story though. The camping at the race course is very unique, and has an air of anticipation about it. So too the three kilometre walk to the town hall… Your best bet is to face the que, and get food inside, as the one cafe, or dairy as its called in New Zealand, wont suffice a pre-race nights requirements.
Jeannie did manage to connect with Gordan Blythen, the same remarkable guy Helen and I got to know last year. My sister went over with me, seconded me on the event, and stayed till end December working in Queenstown. Gordan went out of his way to advise, accommodate, and encourage us. I was hoping Jeannie had been able to connect with him. He spent last year living in Arthurs Pass for the month before. Its remote, isolated, and harsh. Its where the run leg finishes. Gordon would have to leave a bike at one end, and drive his pickup to the other, or vice versa. So too with the 70km paddling leg. Hard as nails. Ripped like a youngster, but 42 years of age. He knew every rock on the run, every channel in the wide open rocky river beds. Blythen only passed me one third into the run, calm and collected, and went on to finish a strong second, after a third the year prior. One better this year?
I spent a night at the house in Arthurs Pass, with mice trails everywhere. The toilet was a long drop outside in a shaky covering. There were no luxuries, no hot shower for the many cold days. Its was made for Blythen. A wood chopper before, he started multisport at 35. Martin Dreyer has raced on a team with Gordan before, and had brilliant moments to tell about him too.
Distracted again… I know. Seems the nostalgia is more than the excitement. Jeannie will no doubt try and watch a bit of the 2day event. Perhaps the bike/run transition, and at the end of the run, where they over night, before completing the second half of the event the following day. Roughly 800 will do Coast to Coast in this way, with 200 or so doing the one day’er.
After watching and soaking up some atmosphere, created by the 1500 people who are supporting the two day event who have to camp as well, Jeannie might get her ankle’s strapped. Its just some elastoplast I know, but if it gives more confidence through 3hours of rocky river bed, then why not. I did. Barring not being able to feel my right foot for an hour or so on the run, I think it helped… Aiai. Should have tested it before, but felt fine the afternoon and night before, but then played up on the day. I cant describe how rough and rugged that run is. Its the crux of the race. And every bit of help one can get, you’ll take.
Then its check, check, and recheck. Run, bike, run, bike, paddle, bike. Tricky to get it all smooth, get the food right, and get the seconds to do all the way you’d like it. Knowing Jeannie there’ll be some last minuters, but no panic. Always so calm. Such a great characteristic about her.
And then the chaos. 12-13 hours for Jeannie, depending on the wind and water levels. Robyn has made his predictions. Mine differ. Jeannie is going to podium.
On the men’s side, I really took a liking to Gordan Walker as well last year. He had tried for six years to win, and on his final attempt, laying it all on the line with an early attack on the bike in the first few minutes of the race, he won his first World Championship title. He’ll be a father by now, and I’m unsure if he’ll be fighting fit, but he’ll be there, doing the title justice. My personal wish would be Blythen. With his lions heart. But the world’s multisport star, Richard Ussher, if on form, should be untouchable. He was humbled last year, and will be striving to set it right…
I’ll keep you posted.
EA Sports deserve a mention. They were incredible in offering a travel voucher towards the Speights Coast to Coast travel for the two winners of the Powerade Triple Challenge. Jeannie took up hers, and I’m sure its gone a long way in making her dream possible.
