It was really amazing to get up on the podium along with the best in the world. I felt so proud of New Zealand and the teams abilities. We are totally able to make it when we stay in control.
We had a model event in Lebork on Saturday which was a good chance to check out the mapping style and get a feeling for the terrain. The model allowed us to see both forested and urban areas. I was excited for the race and tried to stay confident.
On the morning of the race we were all quarantined within a 500msq area until our respective start times. The warm up map was basic and we tried to stay relaxed as we watched others warming up around the sand track. My start was in the middle of the field so not too long to wait thankfully. It was a good temperature and not too hot.
The sprint in Lebork town started with a challenging mixture of park/forestland and then finished with fast legs through the town centre. I started cautiously to allow myself to get into the map. There were a number of impassable hedges to read your way around and the route choice to control 4 caught me for a few seconds but I chose to run hard up the 15m of uneven cobbled stairs as opposed to contouring up through the forest. I had caught the Polish girl who started 1minute ahead of me by about number 6. This was a good boost but I tried to maintain my own focus.
After passing under the bridge the next few controls in the buildings were tucked in corners of little alleyways. I felt I was slowing down each time to check them. It was exciting coming through the spectator control with so many people shouting. I made sure to keep focused on the next leg. About this time I saw Laura Robertson (NZ) who had started a few minutes ahead of me. In hindsight I took wrong route choice to number 17. I didnt take time to notice the covered alleyway south out of the control which would have provided a more direct entry into number 17. Instead I ran back out the way I came in and zigzagged all the way around to 17. Control 21 was a neat site tucked right at the bottom of the stairs. It was great to sprint down the finish chute with so many people and New Zealanders cheering.
At the finish I was suprised and very happy to be in a good position. I knew other good girls were still to finish so it was a nervous wait but I am very glad that I could make it onto the podium. It was a special moment for New Zealand and the team.
I would like to say thank you very much to all our suppporters, coaches and team sponsors, Vitasport, Leppin, Compasspoint, Puma, USL, Inov8, University of Waikato.
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