Relay setback for speedy quartet
Marlborough sprinter Lucy Sheat and her New Zealand under-20 team mates experienced the ecstacy and agony of international athletics, all within five minutes, at the world championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
The Kiwi 4x100m relay team, which comprised Sheat, Brooke Somerfield, Zoe Hobbs and Olivia Eaton produced a superb effort in the heats, crossing the finish line first in 44.57 seconds which seemingly broke the New Zealand senior relay record of 44.60.
However, moments later came the news that they were disqualified, not for the usual relay problem of baton change infringement but because one of the NZ runners had stepped on the line during the race.
The Kiwi quartet’s time would have allowed them to qualify fourth for the world championship final behind France (43.82), USA (44.31) and hosts Poland (44.55).
Sheat, while disappointed, saw plenty of positives in the relay team’s effort. ‘‘Obviously we are a bit gutted but we are so happy with the time and the team spirit is definitely still there.
‘‘We are so proud of ourselves and all of the squad and have been really supportive of each other.
‘‘We know we can do it, so are motivated to go out and do it again.’’
In the final, USA came through to win the title in a time of 43.69. The Kiwi girls’ heat time would have seen them finish fourth.
The men’s 4x100m relay team finished fifth in their heat, stopping the clock at 40.80.