“It’s tough, but you have to focus on the end goal, and not letting your teammates down, even when you are absolutely exhausted.”
“I dropped off rivals on the hill climbs, managed to manoeuvre around the potholes, and upped our time, edging closer to the leading schools division team.” With the pressure building in the water in stage four, Guy took up the trio’s podium quest, well placed to make a splash in the kayak. However, the team’s efforts were nearly sunk as the kayak sprung a leak after navigating a rough patch of boulder-packed water. The specialist sprint kayaker soon realised it would be a “brutal leg” as he stayed the course as the water seeped into the craft, weighing on his chances. While the extra load cost the trio about 15 minutes, Guy redoubled his
efforts to stay in the race. “It was a long day. I couldn’t walk straight after coming out of the kayak and I remember wobbling along after the race section. It was my longest kayak race but I took some really good lines. However, I definitely left it all on the water course, paddling the 70km in five hours, nine minutes.” George then took over at the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge, clambering back onto his bike to fly over the final 70km to New
Brighton Beach in one hour 45 minutes. Beau and Guy quickly jumped into the support car, eager to meet George and run the final sand strip onto the beach together. “We literally pulled up in the car in New Brighton with only five minutes to spare as George sprinted towards the finish,” Guy says. “We rushed to join George, and all dashed across the sand. It was the coolest experience ever.” All three were ecstatic, thrilled with their overall time of 13 hours, 30 minutes. “We claimed 2nd spot in the schools division and finished 11th overall (out of 102 teams) in the two-day teams event,” Beau says. Competing alongside outstanding international and local multi- sport athletes, the College boys stunned many seasoned competitors, working seamlessly as a team, complementing each other’s skills, and encouraging each other every step of the way. “We are already plotting our best approach to our next Coast to Coast, but it may be a few years away.”
COLLEGE 2023
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