By Ryan
Day 4: AKSS Sprint 4 - Avondale College, Monday 16 March
We were in the car and driving to Avondale College, the location of the last Auckland Secondary Schools Sprint Series (AKSSSS) and I was so far in fourth position, my average from the previous four events. I needed to get 3rd or higher on average to be in the finals. I’d be fine as long as I got on the podium for this event. I slipped my compass and SI chip on. I got into my grade lane and soon had the map in my hands. GO! I reached out, ‘punched’ the start box with my SI, flipped my map and launched off. I slowed to find the start on my map. I found it and ran - around the wrong building. When I reached the control, I was already starting to think this would not be a good run. Then I made similar mistakes on two more controls, spending a whole minute trying to find one when I saw my rival sprint past me. When I got to the last few legs I was almost walking, knowing that this was the worst run I had done in the whole series. I jogged into the finish and punched it. Afterwards, I hang around for a bit until someone announced that the results were being printed. They taped them up to a wall and I barged into the semicircular crowd of people… and ran out laughing! Yes! Yes! I had still come third! I was into the finals!
We were in the car and driving to Avondale College, the location of the last Auckland Secondary Schools Sprint Series (AKSSSS) and I was so far in fourth position, my average from the previous four events. I needed to get 3rd or higher on average to be in the finals. I’d be fine as long as I got on the podium for this event. I slipped my compass and SI chip on. I got into my grade lane and soon had the map in my hands. GO! I reached out, ‘punched’ the start box with my SI, flipped my map and launched off. I slowed to find the start on my map. I found it and ran - around the wrong building. When I reached the control, I was already starting to think this would not be a good run. Then I made similar mistakes on two more controls, spending a whole minute trying to find one when I saw my rival sprint past me. When I got to the last few legs I was almost walking, knowing that this was the worst run I had done in the whole series. I jogged into the finish and punched it. Afterwards, I hang around for a bit until someone announced that the results were being printed. They taped them up to a wall and I barged into the semicircular crowd of people… and ran out laughing! Yes! Yes! I had still come third! I was into the finals!
Day 5: AKSS Sprint Final 1 - Aorangi School, Saturday 28 March
Day 5: AKSS Sprint Final 2 - Carrington Unitec Saturday 28 March
The winner of the sprint final is chosen by their total time of two events taken place on the same day. Sprint final 1 had taken place in the morning. I had ended up with first place on a clean run - but first only by 6 seconds with my rival - Cameron. That almost meant that whoever won the next race won the finals. We arrived early. It was raining and wet. My friend Ryan came over and slapped me over the back. “Come on ,Ryan,” he said, “you’ll win it, for sure! These other people aren't used to this terrain! This is technical stuff.” I smiled. “I hope you win too, Ryan.” Soon afterwards the weather cleared up, so we walked to the start chutes. I wanted to start behind Cameron but he was nowhere in sight, so I started soon afterwards. I flipped the map but it took me about 20 seconds to find the start and where I was supposed to be heading. I was running okay after that but then I made a 30 second mistake. Finally I was running down the finish chute but then a feeling of dread washed over me as I stared at the map one last time - there was a control I didn't think I had punched. It was too late now, I had punched the finish. I covered my face when I downloaded my stick. When I finally opened my eyes, I looked at the splits. Yes! Yes! No dash = No mispunch! Although I still didn't think I was going to win. I had made up to 1 minute of mistakes. Next I had to wait for Cameron to come in. The suspense was unbearable. The sun came out and everyone - including us, used the umbrellas that we had originally brung for rain as shade. Finally, Cameron came in. I asked him how he went. “Not very well,” was the reply. The odds were with me. I walked with him to the download. He received his times and groaned. We compared splits. Yes! Yes! I was faster by two minutes! I … had… WON! I whooped with joy. 15 minutes later, they taped up the results, and yes, my winning was official. Ryan congratulated me. Later I was standing on the top of the podium (but Cameron and the other kid were still both taller than me) and I received my medal. Then we packed up and drove home. With a brand new gold medal.
