Plunging into the world racing spirit
In Auckland the sun is shining. Half an hour ago
the rain was coming down in torrents. Before that the wind was gusting up to
gale force.Tree watchesnew has dark
green foliage-like patterns on a white background,
Wherever you look the
city streets are full of lean people wearing the insignia of many countries and
the streets are whirring with the sound of expensive racing bikes.
It's
the world championships of triathlon and that means a huge festival involving
more than 3000 age-group competitors taking part in aquathlon and sprint or
Olympic distance triathlon.
Tomorrow and Sunday,Order high quality replicawatches at home. the
world's top elite competitors race on a tight inner-city course to determine the
world champion in this race and the series champion for the season (both races
get three-hour live coverage on TV1).
It can be a complex business
taking part in an event of this size. You have to commit up to a year out and
from there it's a continual process of putting your hand in your pocket to pay
for an international licence, race entry, uniform, travel and accommodation, not
to mention bikes, shoes and other training and racing gear.
On Wednesday
we flew up from Nelson. When we booked our flights, the aquathlon was scheduled
for 5pm, but somehow it got shifted to 2pm, with race-day registration open
until noon.
Landing in Auckland at 10.30am didn't leave much time to get
to the registration spot in The Cloud on Queen's Wharf, but with family support
from my son Sam we managed with ease.
The next couple of hours were a
flurry of activity as we waited for our hotel room, checked in, unpacked, found
all the necessary race gear and drifted back across to Queen's Wharf to set up
shoes in the designated spot in the transition area.
Then it was on to
The Cloud, where clusters of nervous people hauled on wetsuits, checked caps and
goggles and described the various reasons why they weren't going to have a good
race. I think they partly do this to explain to you how they feel, but maybe
also to set up their alibi in case they don't do well.
Like cattle in a
stockyard, we were then herded from pen to pen to ensure each group was ready to
go at the prescribed three-minute intervals.
Our group, wearing purple
caps, consisted of 60 or so distinguished gentlemen over the age of 60. With
numbers racing and the necessity of sticking to the schedule, there was no time
for warmups (if you can describe getting accustomed to 15-degree water as a
warmup).
Once we were on the temporary jetty, we were held out of the
water. When we finally got permission to get in and touch the wall behind
us,Panerai replica watches,cheaprolexwatches,replica omega,
there was no delay, the hooter jolting us into life immediately.Welcome to guccimenshoes Online Store.