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Issue 53 – June 2015 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
Racing’s Rising Star
Year 10, Madeline Stewart, showed the boys how it is done at
the recent Kart Sport New Zealand National. The young racer
had two top ten finishes placing fifth in the Junior Yamaha
Class and fifth in the Junior Rotax Class.
The Kart Sport event held during Easter weekend attracted
177 entries across 10 classes with girls and boys competing
in the same races.
Madeline was the top performing female at the meeting, a
great achievement after placing sixth in the Nationals Schools
Championships last July.
Madeline says she had raced or practised most weekends
both in Australia and in New Zealand leading up to the National
Championships.
“The racing is extremely competitive with differences measured
in tenths and hundredths of seconds so it was nice to come away
with some good results at the National Champs even though it was
not the number one spot,” Madeline comments.
Madeline has plenty of opportunities to improve her fifth placing
with upcoming races in both New Zealand and overseas.
“The objective
is to ultimately
achieve a first
place. In the mean
time we’ll keep
putting in the
miles and working
to improve.”
Madeline started racing at KartSport Wellington based at
Kaitoke in Upper Hutt six years ago. A family affair, Madeline and
her sister Ashleigh took up the sport because their Dad was a racer
when he was younger.
Madeline would love to compete in karting professionally on the
international stage once she finishes school.
Racing Around the World
Emma Stewart has her eye on the prize. The Year 12 student is preparing for one of toughest
races of her life after being selected to participate in this year’s final of the ITUWorld Triathlon
Championships in Chicago.
Emma will compete in the age group sprint distance event and
have the chance to improve her placing of 38th equal from
last year when she first raced in the World Championships
in Edmonton, Canada.
One year older and Emma says qualifying for this year’s race was
a tough battle. The qualifying triathlon (sprint distance) was held
in Kinloch, just outside of Taupo. Competitors had to swim 750m,
cycle 20km and run 5km on a course that was far than plain sailing.
Emma says the hilly course was tough, particularly on the bike.
“It takes the sting out of your legs and catches you out,” Emma
says.
Despite a gruelling course, Emma qualified for the World
Championships coming in at one hour and twenty-two minutes.
Training has been amped up as Emma has started a six
month training programme building up her strength with long
endurance bike rides, swims and runs to prepare her for September.
She normally trains about 12 hours a week with Capital Sports
Performance. Emma admits Triathlons can be pretty challenging
because of the pressure to perform.
“It can all come down to one race,” Emma says.
However with no sign of nerves, Emma is looking forward to
September’s race, particularly because of the location.
“Everyone says Chicago is an amazing city,” Emma says.
“Chicago will be a completely different vibe, a different
atmosphere. I am very excited.”
Madeline Stewart
Emma Stewart racing in Canada last year.