Post by Aussie Rob on Jun 17, 2009 14:49:26 GMT -5
As posted on www.sssmst.com -
Race distance - 3 feet. Time - 0:00:24 (PR!)
Race distance - 3 feet. Time - 0:00:24 (PR!)
From the beginning I had doubts that my crab would represent well. He showed real promise in the bucket upon selection, but after failing to qualify in the first three preliminary heats, i began to think he had burned too many matches merely getting selected to race.
With expectations dropping after each unsuccessful attempt to make the line, the 4th prelim began. Out of the gates early was number 3, while “Spin” seemed content to do laps around the inner lane. We remarked how he seemed much more adept at track than at cross-country, although seconds after these words were spoken Spin broke from his lane and made a dash for the perimeter. We suspect that he was merely sandbagging for show, although in a post race interview he remained tight lipped as he entered the winners bucket.
Revitalised by the surprising late performance, expectations were high as the final was set. Discussion was centered around whether Spin’s competitors were short course athletes, or if they specialized in long course. For a hermit crab, 3 feet is a long way, and we feared that perhaps the late qualification did not leave him enough recovery time before the final. Comparisons were drawn and it was decided that if Phelps were able to handle it at the Olympics, Spin was in with a chance.
The salad bowl was lifted and although Spin broke early looking to gap his competitors and put some wind between himself and the rest of the peleton, it proved futile as another much larger crab marked him before sling-shotting around to take the lead. Pressure of the capacity crowd though intimidated the new leader and Spin managed to jump onto his back leg and avoided being dropped. It was a close race until from way outside a sprinter emerged to take the lead. The rest of the crabs tried to cover his move but it was in vain…..he sprinted away in the last few centimetres to take the win and the coveted purse. Spin, clearly fatigued from the earlier effort faded to 4th place, and was bitterly disappointed about missing the podium.
With expectations dropping after each unsuccessful attempt to make the line, the 4th prelim began. Out of the gates early was number 3, while “Spin” seemed content to do laps around the inner lane. We remarked how he seemed much more adept at track than at cross-country, although seconds after these words were spoken Spin broke from his lane and made a dash for the perimeter. We suspect that he was merely sandbagging for show, although in a post race interview he remained tight lipped as he entered the winners bucket.
Revitalised by the surprising late performance, expectations were high as the final was set. Discussion was centered around whether Spin’s competitors were short course athletes, or if they specialized in long course. For a hermit crab, 3 feet is a long way, and we feared that perhaps the late qualification did not leave him enough recovery time before the final. Comparisons were drawn and it was decided that if Phelps were able to handle it at the Olympics, Spin was in with a chance.
The salad bowl was lifted and although Spin broke early looking to gap his competitors and put some wind between himself and the rest of the peleton, it proved futile as another much larger crab marked him before sling-shotting around to take the lead. Pressure of the capacity crowd though intimidated the new leader and Spin managed to jump onto his back leg and avoided being dropped. It was a close race until from way outside a sprinter emerged to take the lead. The rest of the crabs tried to cover his move but it was in vain…..he sprinted away in the last few centimetres to take the win and the coveted purse. Spin, clearly fatigued from the earlier effort faded to 4th place, and was bitterly disappointed about missing the podium.
