MAC Mag 06

On Saturday 9 September the newly-reformed Mount
Aspiring College Multisport Team completed their first major
event. The Mountain to Mountain race took the six intrepid
multisporters from the top of Treble Cone to the Snow Farm via
six challenging legs. Alison Reid completed the Giant Slalom to
pass the bib on to Tim Hellebrekers who hurtled down the Treble
Cone Access road at terrifying speeds (a police radar clocked
cyclists at speeds up to 71kmph in this leg). After a 9km ride
up the Matutukituki valley, Tim handed over to Mark Hogg who
kayaked down the Matukituki river to meet Harriet Beattie at the
West Wanaka bridge for the 9km trail run leg. Harriet’s transition
with Roland Taylor involved a hilarious entanglement of the race
bib and an iPod - it was pure impromptu theatre that made
great entertainment for the crowd. Roland then made a heroic
road cycle in head winds from Glendhu Bay to the bottom of
the Snow Farm road which was followed by an outstanding
ascent of the 14km (1000 vertical metres) Snow Farm road by
Miles Topping.
The racers competed with determination and good
sportsmanship and were lauded by the race organisers and
other competitors for their excellent attitude and great effort.
The team has as its major goal the 2007 Mount Cook to
Coast adventure race, and this smaller event underlined the
importance of decent preparation and co-ordination, as well as
how much fun these events can be.
62
Hey,
the race was awesome. Really hard though, from my perspective. I was so proud that the guys
before me did so well even with relatively no training. They all rock. The best thing was being a part
of the team. I think I paced myself pretty well because I was able to keep up the same tempo. I
was totally wasted near the end though. Cycling was great, but I think I would have also liked to try
some of the other legs of the race.
Miles Topping
I guess I have to admit it was kinda fun...even though I almost died! It was a little bit rushed for me
and I was a little unprepared for the whole thing, but I think given those circumstances I actually did
OK. I talked to Chris about this briefly, but I was thinking about taking up Cycling as “my thing” so I
guess with that in mind...I’d like to be the cyclist for upcoming races if possible! In the way of gear...
I think we should use the school budget to buy me a super battery ipod. But seriously, the gear was
fine. I don’t think I came near running out of water even though I drank most of it before the race.
Next time I’d like to do the whole course. Well I’m tired and might go back to bed before school.
Roland Taylor