Multisporters to do battle
BY JOHN ALEXANDER
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It's not often New Zealand's most successful Olympian comes to Marlborough, and not only is Ian Ferguson coming here, he's racing as well.
The winner of four Olympic kayaking gold medals and current New Zealand kayak team coach, Ferguson heads a star-studded field for tomorrow's annual Queen Charlotte Classic multisport race in the Marlborough Sounds. More than 400 competitors are taking part, with a prize pool of more than $25,000 at stake.
Ferguson is part of a three-person team comprising another triathlon legend, John Hellemans, and champion runner Phil Costley.
Costley will contest the first leg, a 14km run from Mistletoe Bay to the first transition point at Anakiwa. From there Hellemans will cycle 50km on Queen Charlotte Drive to the last transition point at Waikawa Bay, where Ferguson will take over in the kayak for the 8km dash to the finish line on the Picton foreshore.
As well as $1000 up for grabs for the individual men's and women's solo race winners, event founder and organiser Peter Yarrell has thrown in another $1000 for the contest between Ferguson's dream team and last year's Coast to Coast winner Gordon Walker, the latter going solo.
Ferguson isn't expecting great things for himself tomorrow, but he's looking forward to racing and he's got plenty of incentive over the next few months to get back into top shape.
"It is a good course. I didn't train too much but I am doing the Coast to Coast with [former Black Cap cricketer] Mark Richardson. I definitely have to do a bit more (training)."
Regarding the "dream team" tag, Ferguson laughed and said, "We dream of the old days. We've probably got a chance [against Walker]. We'll give it a go. I think he can kick our butts individually.
"If he gets a little tired, I'll give him a go. The older you are, the smarter you get.
"I'll use dirty tactics if I have to," he joked.
Walker wasn't talking up his chances. The two-time Coast to Coast winner said: "I'm not that flash to be honest. It is my first race since the Coast to Coast in February. Kayaking is my strength at the moment. I would have preferred a longer kayak leg.
"If I'm close going into the kayak, I'll give Ferg a good run."
Walker has been training with the New Zealand kayaking squad under Ferguson's guidance this year.
Of the other contenders, it's hard to go past Richard Ussher to win the solo individual race. A three-time Coast to Coast winner, he is also a champion adventure racer on the world circuit. His wife Elina is one of the favourites to win the women's title tomorrow. Her main opposition should come from Swedish competitor Sia Svendsen.
Marlborough competitors make up a significant part of a field which comes from far and wide – including Australia, Britain, Canada, Russia and Holland.
Queen Charlotte College has a girls' team competing. Charlene Wills is doing the run, Sarah Wright the cycle leg, and they then combining to do a double kayak.
Fellow QCC pupil Cloe Vining is doing the run, dad Mike is on the bike and brother Daniel is in the kayak.
All three girls said they love the course, are in familiar territory and know lots of people competing and they'll go as fast as they can.
Runners are transported from Picton on the Beachcomber launch to the runners' start at 9am at Mistletoe Bay. The first finishers are expected back at Picton at around 11.30am-noon.
The race, which is being covered by Sky TV, has always had a charitable focus, with entry money going either to prizes or the Marlborough Hospice.
- The Marlborough Express
