Date: May 13, 1999
Event: Race for Chocolate XC - 2000
Class: Pro/Expert
Category: Women
Length: 20 miles
Time: 2:23:38
Conditions: High 70s - Dry - Fast, hard packed course
Bike: Gary Fisher - GENISIS
Tires: Maxis

Did you do anything special to prepare for this race?

Just my usual - drink a lot of water and staying calm.

So, this was not an important race for you is that what you mean?

Exactly, just a training race.

In the last two months how many hours a week have you trained on average?

About 11 to 12 depending on the week.

Were you strong from start to finish?

My first lap, I really didn't feel very good on....... I kind of felt a little off-time on my turns and everything. By the end of the second lap I was feeling a lot better. I felt the best on my fourth lap.

When did you put the hammer down?

I'd say in the beginning just to get away from the 3rd and 4th place riders, but also in the 4th lap just to make sure no one caught up to me.

Did you have any unusual problems?

No. Everything worked fine, no crashes - the bike worked fine.

It was really nice.... there was great single-track, some really fast sections, some nice twisty turns...... I really liked it.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

I was very happy..... everything seemed to work well, the course was well marked, the results were fast, the people were nice..... it was a good race.

If you could do the race again, would you do anything differently?

I don't think so. I think everything went pretty well as I planned.

Even though you are only 14 you were second Pro/Expert Overall Women?

Right.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I'd like to thank my family and friends for all of the support!

Thank you Thais.......
talk to you next time!