Double World Champion - Sarah Walker
31 July 2009
Worlds:
Build Up
Training leading up for the Worlds went really well with the small exception of a flu a few weeks out. After racing in Europe for a month, I got back to New Zealand and got some really good track sessions in at Rotorua and also improved a lot in the gym over the two months leading up to the Worlds. Just before we left for Australia, the HP team did some testing in Auckland with some computers and things were looking good. We flew to Adelaide early and spent almost two weeks training around the city, at The Cove BMX track, the pump track in the city park and also some time at the skate park. As well as the training, our nutrition information was the best that weve had up until this point and it played a huge part in being energised every day.
Challenge (20)
Went in to watch the first day of racing (Thursday) where all the 14 & under riders were in action. New Zealand came home with two World Titles (Rico Bearman in 5&6 boys and Tahlia Hansen in 12 girls) and 20 more World numbers on top of that. Was awesome racing to watch and there were some pretty good crashes. On day two of racing, it was the 15 & over classes with only four kiwis coming in the top 8. Almost came home with another World 1 (Trent Woodcock) but he crashed out in the third straight rhythm. After the finals and when all the challenge racing was over, we finally got to ride the track.
Practice
On the way to the track for our first ride on the track, I took the girls and myself down to the pump track (minor detour), to do some jumps and manuals before going out on the track. Figured if I did some jumps before going on the track, I would be able to start jumping on my first lap. Whether it worked physically or mentally more, I jumped the first jump on my first lap then on my second, I jumped the first and second straights. Had fun boosting the first straight doubles for the rest of practice and was feeling really good.
Championship (20)
Warm up on the morning of 20 went well. I did the same as practice and rode via the pump track for some practice. Jumped everything by the second lap again and sorted the third straight rhythm before heading back to the hotel for lunch while the guys had their practice.
Arrived in time to warm up for the first moto and was feeling fresh and ready to go. Won each of my qualifying motos pretty easily and transferred through to the semi. As the guys had a lot more entries, we had to wait for them to go through eighths and quarters before we were out on the track again. Made sure I ate right and kept my muscles going during the break with the help from our physio and made sure my head was in the right place listening to my top secret race song on my Walkman.
In the semi final, I went out of lane four and lead from start to finished but felt more comfortable starting in lane one so decided to go with that for the final (as I qualified first for the final with the fastest time).
Final time and my secret song was on repeat in my head so I was ready to go. Enjoyed the moment of being called out for the final then awaited the starting call. Got out of the gate ok and was bumping bars with the French girl in lane two but as soon as I hit the first jump, I was away. Went into the first corner in front and knew I had it. Stayed smooth for the rest of the lap and soaked up the moment of crossing the finish line in front for the first time in an Elite 20 Worlds Final.
On the podium, the New Zealand national anthem played with the rainbow jersey on my shoulders and the gold medal around my neck. I was so proud to be a kiwi and was so happy that we were in Australia with so many kiwi BMXers around. It almost felt like winning at home.
After the ceremony and the press conference, the boring part of winning had to be done - waiting around to be drug tested. Then it was home to briefly celebrate with some pasta and pizza before going to bed to recover for cruiser.
Challenge and Championship Cruiser
I only race Cruiser twice a year, at nationals and at the Worlds. ABD supplied me with a new cruiser after the nationals this year and I hadnt ridden it until I arrived at Worlds. My morning preparations for 20 by going to the pump track seemed to have worked so I went there again on my cruiser to see how it felt to jump and manual etc. Got used to it pretty quickly then went to the track to catch the finals of the Challenge Cruiser classes.
Nick Fox (HP team member in the 16 boys), had made it through to the final so I said he had to use my secret song because it helped me with my final yesterday. Gave him my MP3 and turned it up loud for him just before he went through the pits for his final.
Watching from by the finish line, Nick came out of the gate really well, equal with a few guys around him. He got his nose in front and was in front from then on. It was really exciting to watch and I was jumping up and down on the stands with Ken as the race was progressing. Gave Nick a huge hug for winning and told him it must have been the song.
After the excitement of his race, and also another handful on kiwis doing extremely well on cruiser, it was time for my practice.
All the elites rode together and we got 3 laps on the track before they closed it for our racing. I had jumped the first and second straights already though and was going to have to figure out the rhythm on the bigger wheels during the qualifying races.
A lot of the girls either didnt ride cruiser or had pulled out so our class went down to a pretty small field. We had three motos and one final to get through and I was having fun. I was going to be happy with the weekend no matter what happened in cruiser but at the same time, it would be cool to win both.
I kind of cruised through motos and pulled finger for the final. My legs were a little more tired than what they were for 20 but I had a massage and listened to my song before heading up for the final.
I got a great start on cruiser probably the best Ive had in a final and was gone. Like yesterday on 20, it was my fastest lap of the day. I congratulated the other girls then thanked the support crew (Coach Ken, mechanic Ryan and physio Alysha) for their help.
Got to hear the National Anthem again and from there, I was the last person to get to drug testing because of interviews. After that, it was back to the hotel to finally celebrate.
What Now?
We head out to South Africa in a few weeks time for the first of the Olympic Qualification rounds, followed by America and France a few weeks after that then back for the North Island Titles in Cambridge (October).
Thanks to everyone for all your help and support. I couldn't do it by myself so it really means a lot!
Sorry about the novel - hope you enjoyed it.
Thanks again,
Sarah - World #1
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