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Waldeck winds up sixth in worlds

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City’s Katie Waldeck must have had a great “What I did on my summer vacation” essay. The freshman at Starr’s Mill competed in the BMX World Championships in the Netherlands and placed sixth, despite riding in the last two races with what turned out to be a fractured right wrist.

Waldeck and her father, Pete, traveled to the race and ended up having a practice schedule that had not been updated, so Waldeck mist her first of two practice sessions. In the first moto, she was matched up the current world champion, who was also racing on her home track. Waldeck stayed behind her and finished the moto in second place. in the second moto, Waldeck tried a few things and ended up in third place.

Then came the third moto.

In the last turn of the third moto, Waldeck went down in the tire barrier, fell on her wrist and finished in last place. She and her father headed to the first aid tent where a doctor wrapped her wrist and told her to drop out of the race. The doctor gave her no ice and the Waldecks had trouble locating any. They decided to remain in the race and Waldeck headed into the semi-final race, where a great start and incredible focus helped her to a second place finish and qualified her for the championship race.

Waldeck once again got off to a great start, but it was clear that her wrist was starting to bother her when she landed her jumps. She started backing off her jumps and losing ground. When the race ended, she found herself in sixth place.

Waldeck is still number one in the nation in her age group and hopes to be flly recovered for the Grand Nationals race, which will take place over Labor Day weekend.