Support from SBS Bank Academy Southland is helping Ciara Kelly overcome a debilitating condition ahead of this month’s New Zealand elite and under 19 track cycling championships. 

The 17-year-old has had a frustrating build up, a medical issue causing her extreme pain and fatigue which saw her bounce around between outstanding and forgettable performances. 

However, encouraged by SBS Bank Academy Southland nutritionist Aimee Hall and her coach Sid Cumming, the Verdon College pupil now has a diagnosis and some effective treatment which will hopefully see her get back to her best on the track. 

The timing has been crucial, with Ciara keen to again impress at the pinnacle event in Cambridge from March 15 to 19 after she won bronze medals in the team sprint and keirin as a first year junior in 2021. 

That keirin result is something that she draws particular confidence from. 

“I went in with the mindset of trying to stay in there with the older girls, who are obviously really strong and I just backed myself and ended up third, so I was pretty proud of that,” she said. 

“Keirin is one of my favourite events as well, so that was quite cool. I like that it’s really fast, three laps behind the motorbike and then three laps of sprinting. It’s close racing and there’s less riders on the track so it’s down to your power.” 

Ciara will ride the individual pursuit, keirin, 500m time trial, points, scratch and elimination races at the national championships. 

While much of the pain she has been experiencing is now being managed, she has relied on advice from SBS Bank Academy Southland mental skills coach Jason McKenzie to overcome the memory of the pain. 

“I’m getting my energy levels back and the pain is no longer there, but I just have to get over that mentally. I’m only really starting to come right now - getting rid of the fear of the pain so I can focus on giving it my best shot on the day.” 

After a strong showing last year, Ciara is motivated to back that up again next week and she knows what the key will be to competing well across a busy programme. 

“For me it’s definitely preparation. You want to be organised so you can get your recovery done as soon as possible. When you are racing you are in that racing mindset and then when you are back in your accommodation it’s about switching off so that you aren’t always thinking about racing.”

- by Nathan Burdon

Article added: Wednesday 09 March 2022