Kate - World Championships 2006

My goal for the World Champs was a spot in the final. I did not achieve this. I qualified for the semi-final in 9th, but in the semi I finished 13th – 2 seconds out of the top 10. I actually felt pretty solid during the race; I was clean (unlike my qualification race) and in control, and I had the pace I needed for most of the run. But a couple of slight misjudgements, and there was my 2s gone. When I got over the finish line I went into 6th, and with 8 more competitors still to race, I knew my time wasn’t going to be good enough.

The Worlds were THE race of the year for us. Since being selected onto the Team all our training has been geared at an optimal performance at the Worlds. It’s hard to explain the emotion you feel when you have worked so hard towards a single goal, when you know you are capable of it, and you just don’t quite get there (although I know that some of you who read this are also athletes and know exactly how I feel). I am disappointed with 13th because I know I can do better. I am frustrated that I made the mistakes that I did. On the up-side, at least I can see where and how I lost the time, which gives me things to work on in training!

The trip as a whole was awesome. There’s been ups and downs, but it was a great opportunity to gain valuable international racing experience and train on a variety of courses – many of which I hadn’t been to before – not to mention hang out with great people! I’ve learned a lot in training and in racing, which will make me a stronger competitor in the future!