Slip-ups Cost Booth the Chance for Back-to-Back Wins
Whilst consecutive wins was the ultimate goal for Michael Booth today, a number of small errors cost him just that in the Australian Titles technical race, held today on 19th Avenue, Palm Beach.
Returning to the beach this morning after a tough day of racing yesterday, where Booth was crowned Australian Champion in the 18km marathon race was always going to be a challenge. However Michael believes it wasn’t fatigue that let him down today, rather small errors of judgement and ‘silly mistakes’.
“I made quite a few mistakes today. More than anything it’s just really frustrating, it’s not like me to slip up as much as I did and that’s what disappoints me the most”.
Booth said he fell behind in the opening lap and from then was chasing tails to make it back to the front.
“It’s not a distance race where you have time to make up, it’s short and fast and these mistakes were costly in this type of a race,” he said.
Whilst Booth managed to make it back to the top three after sitting around 10th at one stage, he says that today just “wasn’t his day”.
“I think falling behind early on got to me, I felt a bit shaken up and then silly mistakes just kept getting the better of me”.
“Usually if I make a mistake I am good at putting it behind me and getting on with the rest of the race, but today I struggled to do that, I felt like it was just a bit of a domino affect really”.
Whilst distance racing is Booths strong element, he had shifted his training focus specifically for this race and felt his skills were up to scratch.
“I had been doing a lot of technical skills and training leading up to this contest, I was feeling confident, unfortunately my mistakes and result today didn’t really show for this”.
The competition was tough this year and Booth said there was certainly no room for errors.
“In a competitive field like there was today, there just wasn’t the opportunity for any mistakes”.
Although not the ideal outcome Booth had hoped for, he said that finishing in the top three was still an achievement.
“Of course it would have been ideal to walk away with a weekend of consecutive wins, but overall I am still pleased with my results”.
Booth will now shift his focus from racing to coaching where he will be holding clinic tomorrow at Winders Park Currumbin Alley at 230pm. For more information contact him via his email michael@michael-booth.com.au
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