Selection ‘major step’ towards Young’s ultimate goal

WANAKA rider Phoebe Young says being selected for the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in October is a ‘‘major step’’ towards her ultimate goal of competing at the Olympics.

The 17yearold was named as a member of a fivestrong New Zealand team to compete in Buenos Aires by the New Zealand Olympic Committee at the weekend.

She said she was ‘‘over the moon’’ when she received a letter confirming her selection.

‘‘It means the world to me. Becoming an Olympian has always been a dream for me so I am very grateful to be given this amazing opportunity.

‘‘It shows me that it is a real possibility and an experience that I will benefit greatly from, preparing me for what the real Olympics would be like.’’

Her selection follows some strong performances this year.

She claimed the female under19 titles at both the New Zealand time trial and Oceania crosscountry championships, and finished second in the Oceania time trial and New Zealand crosscountry championships.

At the Games, Young will compete as part of a team alongside Taupo rider Samara Maxwell in three road events and two crosscountry events.

She said she had already been in training for the Games before to the team announcement.

‘‘I had been training as though I was going so that whenever the announcement came I would be ready and not in a desperate rush to get prepared in time.’’

‘‘The races seem to be relatively short and fast so I will try and improve on my sprinting and short distance efforts.’’

Although there would not be a team camp before heading to Argentina, Young hoped she could catch up with Maxwell to train for the team time trial.

She was also practising her Spanish in preparation for her first visit to the country.

The 2018 Youth Olympic Games will be the third edition of the games.