Sometimes remembering where you’ve come from can power you to great feats in the future.
So it proved for Nicole van der Kaay on Sunday with the Taupo 29-year-old dedicating her golden Oceania Triathlon Sprint Championships performance to career-long supporter Chris Smith.
Smith, the founder of Smith Sports Shoes, passed away suddenly on March 10, just before van der Kaay ramped up her comeback from a difficult Paris Olympics campaign with 3rd at the continental standard distance championships in Devonport, Tasmania.
“Today was special for me as I raced for someone who has supported me throughout my whole career, Chris Smith, who unfortunately passed away a few weeks ago,” van der Kaay said from Mooloolaba.
“I couldn’t be there for his funeral, but I raced for him here instead. My love and thoughts go out to his friends and family.”
Smith created “Team Taupo” to help nurture sporting talent in the central plateau. Van der Kaay has benefitted since she started triathlon in her pre-teen years.
In a strange twist of fate, the last time Smith saw van der Kaay race live was at World Cup Mooloolaba in 2018 where she finished 4th.
“I’ve only run in Asics for my whole career because of Chris and Smiths Sports Shoes. Kyle Smith was also a part of the group and I believe [track cyclist and Tokyo road race Olympian] Patrick Bevan too.”
Van der Kaay is feeling upbeat after medals in her past two starts. Sunday’s win in a race reduced to a duathlon due to unsafe water conditions was a 7th Oceania title and will mark the two-time Kiwi Olympian as a favourite for the upcoming continental super sprint and mixed relay championships on the Gold Coast.
“It was unfortunate that today turned into a duathlon, but overall I’m grateful that the race was held and athletes’ health has not been put at risk. As you know, there have been many cancellations and changes so for the race to still be held is massive for the Oceania athletes.
“For me, I can’t complain. It was a pretty good day out there, feeling comfortable on all legs, just really wanting to have a good hit out and follow the process. Keep the good feelings going and keep on building for later in the year.”
After the Oceania Super Sprint and Mixed Relay Runaway Bay on May 3-4, van der Kaay is looking forward to a step up in distance at Ironman 70.3 Shanghai in Bright Tian Yuan on May 25. It will be another pivot for NVDK and her new German coach, Ben Reszel.
“A massive thanks to my coach Ben who has been so patient and supportive of me.
“He’s definitely got me going in a great direction.”
