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O'Donnell wins maiden title in 4th attempt
Date: 8-2-2020
The Kathmandu Coast to Coast has a new elite women’s champion after Tauranga’s Corrinne O’Donnell claimed the 38th Longest Day title, fighting off a chasing pack to win the 243-kilometre stage race in twelve hours 53 minutes and 39 seconds.
It was O’Donnell’s fourth crack at the event, beating event first timer Ali Wilson by just 3 minutes 05 and Christchurch’s Fiona Dowling who crossed the finish line just a minute over 13 hours to earn a third-place finish for the third time. “I know Alison is an awesome cyclist, so I was pretty worried on the bike.”
O’Donnell was a little unsure of her chances of holding onto her lead, but suggested the cold conditions played into her hands. “I was feeling pretty average on the run, it might have been my slowest run time I’ve done over the course, so after the run I was just like let’s see how the day goes."
The difference between the two coming down to a little more experience in the kayak for O'Donnell than Wilson, whose background has been in triathlon and who only started kayaking a year ago. “I managed to stay in the boat, but there was a few closer calls than I would have liked.”
“That wind just blew down that gorge and pushed me on to a rock and I went for a spill and it was bloody freezing.”
Wilson also went for a swim during the first major river crossing in the 32 kilometre run section, losing her footing and being swept around 5 meters downstream before regaining control. “Yeah, I went for a good old swim, but fair play to the organisers not letting the 2 day competitors go down there (yesterday) because it was very touch and go.”
Wilson summed up her first Kathmandu Coast to Coast; “It was brutal, there’s just no let up, but I’ll be back.”
“It’s getting a bit tough to handle actually,” Dowling said whilst still catching her breath at the finish line as she was quizzed about her 3rd place finish.
Four-time Longest Day champion Elina Ussher finished in fourth in what was her 15th consecutive Kathmandu Coast to Coast.
While Wanaka’s Emily Wilson came home in 5th in a time of 13 hours 29 minutes and 24 seconds.
Dunedin’s Alisa Rollinson finished in 6th.
Defending champion Simone Maier did not finish due to an issue with her kayak.
The media team don’t usually let me near the article and press release aspect of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, and technically, at this time of the year, I should be revising the Health and Safety Plan and finalising operation issues. But one of the reasons I love this job and the event so much is due to the ‘Elite Category’. So, I’m going to pull rank and share my opinions on the race this year.
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There’s almost a sort of “Hotel California” thing going with the Kathmandu Coast to Coast: “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” People get hooked, and they keep coming back, either working their way through the various events and age groups or targeting personal bests year by year. Two-time champion Kristina Anglem did manage to check out and for the most part, has left, but not before generating an awful lot of goodwill with fellow competitors, officials and general supporters. Competing initially under her maiden name, Kristina Strode Penny only raced the Coast to Coast on four occasions. Still, she certainly cast a long (warm) shadow over the race and ushered in a new younger group of women who would dominate the event in the years to come. Growing up in Wellington, Kristina’s initial sporting passion was gymnastics, but she retired at the ripe old age of 11. “After that, I always yearned to be out in nature. I would take myself off for walks or runs along the eastern walkway. Wellington is loaded with walkways.” Her two older brothers were keen on bashing about in the outdoors, and one arranged for a mountain bike for his sister. “I rode all the trails, and around the same time, I got into rock climbing and joined the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club.” Helicopter parents in the new millennium would be horrified by the teenage Kristina’s next move into outdoor sports. “We lived by the sea and got given an old kayak – an old canvas thing that I laugh at now. I would take myself out into the bay and figure out how to roll, then off and yonder in the sea! Looking back at some of those things now as a parent, I’m glad my Mum didn’t have a clue what was going on! I’d paddle out to these rocks and come back – miss the Picton ferry by chance!”
Are you a high school student in New Zealand with a thirst for adventure and a love for the outdoors?
In our second episode of Season 5 Richard Greer from TeamCP provides some key insights including how to best manage your bike, running and kayaking training six months out from race day, along with an event update from our Race Director Glen Currie. Plus, we have previous podcast guest Sophie Beaumont sharing tips and tricks for first-time athletes. Listen online here
The Kathmandu Coast to Coast, New Zealand’s iconic multisport event, recognises the invaluable role of New Zealand's Backcountry Huts in ensuring the enjoyment of all those who experience the wild places of Aotearoa.
