‘Oh my gosh’ – Andrews joins exclusive group
Ellesse Andrews had no idea she’d joined such a select group of Kiwi athletes as she circled the Lee Valley Velopark in London, relishing the applause after snaring her third gold at the Commonwealth Games.
‘‘Am I? Oh my gosh,’’ she said after being told after discovering she was just the fourth Kiwi to win three golds at a Commonwealth Games.
‘‘It’s amazing. It’s really overwhelming,’’ she said after winning the keirin.
Andrews, who earlier breezed into the final in ominous form, started from the fourth wheel and surged to the front with two laps to go in the final.
England’s Sophie Capewell, cheered on by a boisterous home crowd, put her head down and dug deep, but Andrews simply had too much power.
Andrews knew Capewell was coming when the crowd threw their collective voices behind her, but said the ample Kiwis in the crowd had played a part for her.
‘‘It sort of propels you in the moment. But, now thinking back, I can’t remember much at all. It’s amazing,’’ the 22-year-old said.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist in the keirin also helped the team pursuit win silver after Ally Wollaston was injured ahead of the Games.
‘‘It’s honestly going to take a really long time to sink in, I wanted to come to this competition and do my absolute best and leave it all out on the track, but for that to result in three golds, I never would have dreamed of that,’’ she said.
To think Andrews contracted Covid-19 only two-and-a-half weeks before the Commonwealth Games, leaving her unsure how her body would react.
Rest, rest and more rest was what the doctor ordered.
‘‘I wasn’t completely overly ill, but I wasn’t amazing either. I’m so happy that I overcame that, and that maybe the rest was a good thing for my body and I could come into racing and smash it.’’
Andrews surpassed her father, Jon, who won Commonwealth Games cycling bronze medals in the sprint and time trial in Auckland in 1990.
Craving a sleep after a ‘‘whirlwind’’ few days, Andrews said it would be some time before her accomplishment truly hit her.
‘‘When I get home and I can go and visit my mum [in Christchurch], I won’t be seeing my dad for a little while because he is off to work.’’
Andrews’ third gold followed a dramatic silver to Michaela Drummond in the 10km scratch race, after team-mate Bryony Botha crashed out.
Botha collided with Indian rider Meenakshi, whose seat faltered, essentially turning the race into a 5km scratch.
However, aided by fellow Kiwi Emily Shearman launching a couple of attacks, Drummond got on the wheel of Englishwoman Laura Kenny and pushed her all the way to the line.
‘‘I’m lost for words, honestly. It’s been 12 months of a lot of lows. I feel like it’s finally become my time to get a result, so I’m really, really proud,’’ Drummond said.