Dunedin track cyclist Katie Schofield has emerged as a genuine Olympic contender by teaming up with her rival.
The 27-year-old is more familiar competing against New Zealand No 1 sprinter Natasha Hansen than she is leading her out in the team sprint. But the pair have formed an alliance in a bid to qualify for the London Olympics next year.
The partnership showed immediate promise when the pair broke the New Zealand record at the Oceania Championships in Invercargill last month, scorching around the track in 34.401sec.
The old record of 34.632sec was set by Fiona Carswell and Jocelyn Rastrick in 2007.
"It was our first time riding together, so it was a pretty good result," Schofield said.
Actually, it was a lot better than "pretty good". The ride has earned the new combination a world ranking of 14th.
They need to lift that ranking significantly and prove to selectors that they are a realistic medal prospect before they can think about packing their bags for London.
"That's what we're aiming for," Schofield said. "It is going to be a challenge for us to get there but we are going to push hard.
"We need to get into in the top five. They are looking for medal contenders and want to back those people.""But I think we have huge potential to improve our world ranking."
The pair will get their first opportunity to improve their world ranking at a world cup event in Beijing in mid-January.
If they go well in China, they will likely get an opportunity at the world cup event in London the following month. There are also the New Zealand nationals and the world championships, in Melbourne, in April.
It is ample opportunity if they are good enough.
The trip to Beijing represents a huge step up in class for Schofield. She represented New Zealand for the first time at a sprint grand prix in Sydney in October and locked horns with one of the world's premier sprinters, Beijing Olympic silver medallist Anna Meares, of Australia.
"Well, she got me," Schofield laughed when asked how it went.
"But it was a really good experience and China is a massive jump from that."
The New Zealand team assemble on January 2 for a training camp and leave for China on January 7.
Schofield is yet to win a national title, as her new team-mate usually pips her at the post. But despite the healthy competition, the pair enjoy each other's company.
"She is a really nice girl and we get on well. And it is good to have someone who is egging you on even further to get the most out of you."
Schofield, who has a masters degree in physical education from the University of Otago, is actually relatively new to cycling. She has always been a sprinter but used to do it on two feet, rather than two wheels.
In her last year at Bayfield High School she was the No 2 ranked 100m and 200m sprinter in her age group. But a series of injuries kept her from progressing in the sport.
In 2006, weight training and conditioning specialist Angus Ross encouraged her to try cycling. She did a peak power test which revealed potential, Ross put her in touch with right people and she has not looked back.
