Throughout the duration of 2019 the Christchurch Girls’ High School cycling team have had an exceptional year of racing, coming away from events with achievements and goals met as well as many highs and very few lows.

The school's cycling team attended schools racing every Wednesday afternoon alternating between individual time trials, road races and team time trials, whilst also travelling to and from various big events like the South Island Championship, the Southern Tour, Litolff cup and Nationals. 

The team started off with South Island’s in early July, where they raced over two days competing against the South Island’s best riders in an individual time trial, team time trial and scratch race. Both the U16 and U20 teams were successful, managing to come away with a very close silver in the team time trial and various top 5 placings throughout the rest of the event as individuals.

Around a month later, the team travelled up to Blenheim where the annual Southern Tour is held. The girls competed in scorching conditions as they fought hard and tactically to get the best placings for the following day. As there were national titles up for grabs at this event it made the racing more competitive for the girls.

Towards the end of the season, the girls competed in one of the last rounds of schools cycling, Litolff cup where the U16 girls were able to snatch the gold medal as well as claiming the Amy Dawe Cup. Also our U20 team had an amazing performance up against our biggest rivals, Villa Maria College, these girls managed an outstanding 3rd, close behind Lincoln High School (2nd) and Villa Maria College (1st). This was an exceptional day of racing, considering the weather conditions and the girls gave it 100%.

In the October holidays Ayme Kellow competed at the National Road Championships against New Zealand’s top cyclists where she claimed 4th in the U16 road race.

Overall, I’m exceptionally proud of the girls' success this year, as a team as well as individuals. The time and dedication everyone gave to the team was outstanding and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work alongside this year. I also can't thank the parents, Grey, Chris, Emily, Ruth and Mrs Brown enough for their constant support throughout the year, helping out each week Wednesday cycling, making sure our riders are on time for their scheduled races, giving the girls useful advice and the constant checking of bikes. 

I’m excited for the future of Christchurch Girls’ High School’s cycling team and can’t wait to support them in the future with their many upcoming successes.

Jordan Taylor, student leader of Cycling.