Classic States: Up Close and Personal

by Maddie Kincaid


I stand tensed, the starting bar stuck awkwardly between my poles and my legs. The announcer on my left speaks into his microphone. “From Middlebury, we have number eleven Maddie Kincaid.” Then the countdown begins, “5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – go.” I push off hard and the bar hits my pole on the way out. I double pole down the hill and it seems like I’m flying. I can see number ten ahead of me and I feel strong as I pass her and head into the woods. My kick double pole seems fast and I have enough kick as I push up the first small hill. Then I am going down around the corners and then I hit the big hill. I herringbone up it at what seems like a snails pace but I can see number nine ahead of me and I push to catch her. I hear my teammates ahead cheering, “Go Maddie,” and “you can do it, you’re almost to the top.” Finally I do get to the top, I am tired already but I continue on down the hill and then up again, passing number seven, then number eight. I finish my first lap and continue down the hill for my second. I don’t feel as strong this time and my wax is slipping but I push myself and thrust my knees forward to make my wax work. I already at the top of the first hill but then I see number six ahead of me and I push onwards. Again people cheer as go by but I feel even slower as number twenty-two comes flying past me. Finally I reach the downhill and I can rest some as I lurch unbalanced around the s-turn. I double pole hard and take the right to the finish line. I rest down the hill, passing number two, then I step turn around the corner and begin my last ascent. I try to look strong as I push towards the giant red inflatable finish line. I struggle for my last strides until I am across the line. I am exhausted but I’m done, at least for now. I give them my bib and go to cheer on my teammates as they race by.