Silver medal for Taupo mountain biker
‘‘It's a chance to sort of put yourself up against other like minded athletes. ’’ Carwyn May.
It was Carwyn May’s first time competing in the World Masters Games but that didn’t stop the Taupo local claiming second place in his age group.
May has been mountain biking for the last 20 years. Having competed in other events during that time, he said they have been nothing compared to the World Masters Games.
May travelled to Auckland on Monday April 24 to compete in the games and was up against 40 other mountain bikers in the 40-44 age range.
May said the number of entrants is high because more people compete in the Master’s then in the Olympics.
‘‘As long as you can reach the age criteria then you can enter,’’ he said.
May endured an hour and 45 minute bike ride to come out with the silver medal.
It was a total of 38km and included a 1000 metre uphill battle.
While taking away the silver medal was a high achievement for May, so too, was the results of two of the people he had coached.
Johnny Clapcotts came 6th overall in his age group while Paula Pietersma came first.
‘‘I was more proud of how they went than my own performances,’’ he said.
With the Masters now out of the way for May, he said his next mountain biking event is a teams’ one in Waihi next month.
‘‘I just got asked to be a part of the team,’’ he said.
‘‘Really, I’m just looking forward to all the other events throughout the Winter.’’
His love for mountain biking has kept him in the game for a long time and that’s also due to the comadre between the other athletes.
‘‘It’s a chance to sort of put yourself up against other like minded athletes,’’ he said. ‘‘We all have a common goal.’’ It’s been a few days since the Masters took place and May has reflected on his race and also on the amount of people to made the trip to Auckland to show their support.
‘‘There were a lot of Taupo people there that weren’t necessarily competing,’’ he said.
‘‘I just want to say thanks to them for the support I got from the side lines while racing.
‘‘It was really good to know they were there.’’