Coast to Coast success
19 Feb
It was the largest group of students that tried their hand at the Coast to Coast this year. A couple of them for the second time and others it was a first experience.
It was tremendously inspiring to watch our students on their Coast to Coast experience last weekend. We are all incredibly proud of their achievements. Below are the results but here are some of the students thoughts on the experience. We know they will have inspired more students out their to give it a shot next year.
Reuben Eyre, “Hi my name is Reuben Eyre, my team of me and my two friends Jackson Gamble and Jack Dalley took on the coast to coast challenge in the two day 3 person schools male category. We managed to come out in first place and 9th overall. The atmosphere of the Coast to Coast was like nothing any of us had experienced, the pure talent, the determination and spirit of all the competitors is truly amazing. Signing up for the Coast to Coast was a quick fire decision but all the training helped bring us closer together as friends which was almost better than the victory it’s self. I highly recommend signing up for this prestigious event as I have made some of the best memories of my life. P.s it’s very addicting and I am now going back to race in the individual category next year.”
Abby Ritchie, “Hi, my name is Abby Ritchie, and I competed in a 2-day 3-Person Female School team Division alongside my teammates, Rea Judd and Zana Simpson. We managed to secure third place in our division and fourth in the 3-person Teams, Women’s Open, which was more than we thought we could achieve going into the Coast to Coast. The previous year, I had support crewed for my Mum as she competed in a women’s team, seeing her and all the other talented athletes compete and participate in this event with such determination was so inspiring. My friends and I decided we had no choice but to sign up. Overall, I think it is an unforgettable experience and would urge anyone else thinking about competing to sign up, get training, and get excited.”
Ngaio Fleming, “Myself, Ngaio Fleming and Tamsin Gillespie decided to enter as a two day 2 person team after representing Westland High School in a three person team alongside former student Jessie Smith. Due to there being no school category for two person teams, we were entered into the open women’s division. It was definitely a little daunting competing against teams with more experience, though we had trained hard and set ourselves goals to work towards on race day. These goals soon felt more than achievable when we realised that we were sitting in 3rd position after finishing day one of the race. Day two kicked off and by lunchtime I had finished my short 15km cycle and paddle, having had a clean run on the river, Tamsin took off on the last 70km cycle stretch to New Brighton and sustained our 3rd place position all the way to the finish line. Overall, it was awesome to train and compete again in the Coast to Coast, alongside Tamsin and the growing team of multi-sporters at Westland High School.”
Nate Crossman, “The legendary Coast to Coast once again delivered an unforgettable challenge. After a late course change on Thursday meant running up the Otira Viaduct, I was ready for the extra challenge. Friday began at 5:30am, lining up at Serpentine Beach. When the hooter went, I sprinted to secure a place in the lead cycling pack, and it paid off. We averaged 37km/h for 55km, reaching Aitkens in 1.5 hours before heading into the tough 30km Otira Viaduct run. I arrived at Klondyke just after 1pm in 3rd place in my section.
Saturday started with a 15km bike to the kayak, followed by a 70km paddle (with one quick swim), then the final push, a 70km long ride to Brighton.
I crossed the finish line in 12 hours 17 minutes, placing 2nd in the Male Individual School Section.”
Teams & Athletes that Represented WHS:
– WHS Hoki Express, 1st in the Male school teams section.
Reuben Eyre, Jack Dalley, Jackson Gamble
– WHS Sassy Lassies, 3rd in the Female school teams section.
Zana Simpson, Abby Ritchie, Rea Judd
– WHS Wahine (Two-Person Team), 3rd in the Female Open section
Ngaio Fleming & Tamsin Gillespie
Individual Participants:
– Nate Crossman, 2nd in the Male School category
– Tim Maitland, 4th in the Male School category
– Ainhoa Alkorta, 1st in the Female school category.