Date:
June 24, 2000
Event: Chevy Trucks NORBA NCS#2 Short
Track - Mt. Snow, Vt
Class: OPEN
Category: Pro Women
Length: 20 minutes plus 3 laps
Sue Haywood in front of the
top women in the world
1. How did it feel to compete with the best women in the world and actually lead the pack for a couple of laps?
It was thrilling! Even though it was a short race, I'll always remember
my first podium at a NCS.
2. How many racers did you have to pick off to fight your way to the front of the pack?
I don't really know...a bunch. I couldn't get in my pedal at the start
and got caught a little behind. I was in about 16th place for the first
two laps.
3. Did the 20 minutes before the "3 laps to go" bell seem like a long or short amount of time?
It seemed shorter than all the other short tracks that I've done. I usually am so tired that I can't wait for the short track to end, but this time was different. I was so excited and pumped up.
4. Was team work a factor for or against you in the short track?
I didn't think it played a part in this particular race, although it does in some of these short track races. There seemed to be about 10-12 girls in the lead group, with most of them from different teams, except for the Gary Fisher riders. I think just strong individuals made the race, not team tactics.
5. You held off Mary Grigson in the final sprint finish.... did that surprise you?
Yes, I'm a terrible sprinter. She must have been very tired.
6. Did you have an overall strategy for the race?My strategy was to be near the front and stay on a wheel and just hang on for a decent placing. When I realized that my legs and lungs felt good, I would try to pick off riders on the uphills and carry good momentum on the downhills and the jump.
7. When did you put the hammer down?
I noticed the girls were sitting up after the start/finish area and slowing
down. I seemed to be carrying more momentum from being in their draft
and swung around and tried leading. I certainly was hammering those last
couple moments of the race to place fourth.
8. How would you rate the short track course?
I thought is was a good layout. I liked the jump and the fact that there were two uphills and two downhills. That favored a rider like me. The course was dry and the fan access was great.
9. Did Jimi Hendrix's rendition of the National Anthem add to your
race
experience?
It seemed like an edited mix version. Nobody clapped after it was over...so it was kinda weird.
10. Kirk Molday mentioned in his interview that the call up to the line by NORBA was without rhyme or reason. Do you find the same problem with the Women racers?
Yes. They didn't even have my name on the start list for Friday's cross country. After twenty some riders were called up, I insisted that I should be up there because I was wearing the #15 plate. National Ranking should hold precedence over World Cup rankings at NCS races and they should know who is racing.
11. Did you keep the nail that flattened your tire the day before in the cross-country race as a souvenir?
I sure did...not because I'm bitter but its a great souvenir and a motivator for the next race.
12. Is there anything you would like to add?
The fan support was so energizing. Thanks to all the folks who cheered so hard for me. Thanks, Bill for interviewing me and all the other racers.
THANK YOU Sue Haywood for another great interview!!
