It was D day for Kerry Harford as he wasn’t only chasing the 3km Pursuit Gold medal but he also wanted to break the 3.37min National record. In the morning during qualifying the track environment was not ideal, due to the low air and track temperature. Harford easily qualified fastest scoring 3.40min, two seconds ahead of his nearest rival Peter Jenkins from the West Coast North Island centre.
In the evening all systems were go in the run off for the Gold medal, this piece of precious metal was in no danger of going west. But again the National record proved to be elusive, the time of 3.38min was not enough to break it. Still this medal will find a good place in Harford’s trophy cabinet, next to last year’s Silver one.
The 750mtr Derby was on the menu for the Under 15 Boys, with Regan Gough devouring the competition in the qualifying heat and in the semi. The final became a midnight snack, as it was run at 10.20pm that night. Strong riding and good positioning, both trade-marks of the young Gough, helped him to secure a Silver behind Michael Culling.
Ivar Hopman
