Mixing It With The Big Girls

Illawarra Mercury

Friday November 12, 1999

By TIM KEEBLE

Teenage water sports prodigy Kristie Ogilvie admitted to being overwhelmed the first time she had to race against the big girls.

The event was last month's qualifying trial for the 1999-2000 Meadow Lea Ironwomen Series at Mooloolaba, and Ogilvie was taking part purely as a chance to test her skills against the sport's so-called next wave of stars.

``I really only went up there to get some experience against girls who were older than me," Ogilvie said.

``I didn't even think I'd make the final because there were all those good people to compete against."

Ogilvie can now call herself one of those ``good people" after cracking a spot for this season's series.

The 16-year-old from Russell Vale surprised rivals by finishing eleventh - the top 12 finishers qualified - but no-one was more surprised than Ogilvie.

A member of North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club after transferring from Bulli SLSC last year, Ogilvie will contest the Meadow Lea series opener at Cronulla on the last weekend of November.

She is excited about competing and rubbing shoulders with ironwomen stars such as Karla Gilbert and Linda Halfweeg.

``I'm not going to get too nervous about it. It's great just to be a part of it," she said.

``I just want to have fun and get as much experience as I can.

``Going up against them should be fun.

``I'm looking forward to it to see how I go."

Unlike the qualifying trial, Ogilvie is leaving no stone unturned in preparing for the tough Meadow Lea series.

She trains on weekdays after school and has a personal swimming coach in Tracey Waters.

``I didn't train before the qualifier. But ever since I got back from Queensland I've been training pretty hard," she said.

Underlining her strength in the swim leg, Ogilvie has qualified for next year's national still water championships at Perth.

``I've been swimming since I was nine and it's still my strong point," she said.

``I only wish I could say the same about the board.

``I still have trouble getting out (past the breakers) sometimes and it's what I mostly work on.

``I should get better at it when I get a bit stronger."

Ogilvie will be joined on the Meadow Lea circuit this season by North Wollongong SLSC club-mate Lilli Miller and fellow debutante Kristy Cairncross of Shoalhaven Heads.

© 1999 Illawarra Mercury

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