I’d seen my friends that morning over breakfast, but the mood was pretty quiet in the dining hall. Everyone had their own way of psyching themselves up before a meet and mine was to block out everything around me and focus. I did this by listening to my favourite up-beat tracks on my phone. I breathed in deeply as I slowly walked up to the aquatic centre. In my head, I rehearsed my races – both individual races and the medley.
I wonder what the twins will …
STOP!
I couldn’t think about the twins now. I had to concentrate.
I entered the aquatic centre and it was alive with the hum of nerves. I found the marshalling table and checked out the order of my races. Since it was a one-day meet, the heats and finals were pretty close together. This was exactly the kind of meet where Annabel would want someone else to swim her heats. But not today.
In the change rooms, most of the girls were quiet and focused. There were a few who were giggling nervously and being silly, but I tuned them out as I unpacked my bag. I had my competition skins on – a knee-length swimsuit in the Academy colours, as well as the goggles and cap that I kept for competing. They were the best quality, but I liked to think they were also lucky and a bit special.
As I left the change room, I startled as I almost bumped into someone. Looking up, I saw it was Ashley. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but I held up my hand. I couldn’t deal with her right now. This was my meet and I wasn’t going to be distracted by anyone. She seemed to understand, closing her mouth and lowering her head sadly.
Down by the pool, everyone began their warm-up drills. I let my body glide through the water slowly and smoothly. I wanted to get my muscles moving but still conserve my energy. I felt the flow of the water around me, noting the warm temperature and getting a feel for the pool. I know that sounds a bit weird – doesn’t water always feel the same? Funnily enough, it doesn’t. I always liked getting a sense of what my body felt like in the water on that particular day. I finished my lap, lightly sailing to the end of the pool with an outstretched arm. As I lifted my head from the water, like a whale breeching for air, I heard a voice at the end of the pool calling to me. I looked up.
‘Yes, Coach Stuart?’
‘Hop out and come here a sec,’ he said, motioning for me to follow him. I heaved myself out of the pool and walked over to him.
‘Delphie, are you all right?’
‘Yeah, I’m just focusing,’ I said.
‘I wanted to check on you. You seem quieter than normal and after you bumped your head yesterday, I just –’
‘I’m honestly fine, Coach.’
‘Okay, well, your heats for the 100-metre freestyle are early in the program, so make sure you are all warmed-up. Remember not to use all your energy in the heats – pull back a bit, and if you are having any problems with your head –’
‘My head is fine!’ I whined.
‘– any problems, come and tell me. We can rest you from the relay if needed.’
‘No way, Coach! I’m ready for this relay. It’s time to take the title back for the Royal Academy.’
Coach Stuart smiled. He knew I was as stubborn as a donkey. He patted me on the shoulder and I returned his smile.
As the carnival started, butterflies began to dance around in my stomach. A nervous and excited energy pulsed through my veins, causing me to jitter and shift around as I waited for my heat. I kept my headphones in my ears, pumping my playlist and blocking out the distractions around me.
It was almost my turn to swim the 100-metre freestyle heat. I stood in my group, quietly pulsing up and down on the spot, keeping my blood flowing. The heat before mine was also a 100-metre freestyle heat, the winner likely to go on to the final later in the day. I watched as the swimmers stood on their starting blocks. Annabel Ogilvy glanced quickly to the side and saw me watching her. She immediately looked back ahead of her, focusing on the race. Even though I couldn’t see the twin’s leg because of her knee-length competition skins, I could tell it was Annabel swimming her own heat – she had a rounder face than her sister and a stone-cold expression.
The electronic starter buzzed loudly as the heat began. I knew I should be ignoring Annabel’s race and focusing on my own, but I couldn’t help staring. Annabel burst from the block and swam at a frenzied pace. Even though it was only a heat, she charged through the water like a great white shark pursuing its prey. Her tumble turn was fast as she pushed off the wall at maximum strength. It was perfect. She thundered through her last lap and smacked the wall with her hand, finishing the race in first position. She turned and whipped off her goggles to look at the scoreboard.
1. Annabel Ogilvy 0:58:55
Annabel turned to me and smiled. She’d qualified first in her heat with a good time.
I tried to shake off her race and focus on my own as I climbed on top of the block.
BEEP!
The starter sounded and I launched off the blocks, my body stretched out long and lean. A deafening crash thundered around my ears as I hit the water. I knew what I had to do. Focus, pace myself and leave a little in the tank for later.
I counted my strokes, trying to find a fast, even rhythm. I glided through the water at speed, although I could feel my rhythm wasn’t at its best. As I approached the wall for my turn, I could tell my timing was off. I turned early and as I pushed off the wall, I realised I didn’t have maximum kick-off.
I knew I had to pick up speed to make sure I qualified for the finals. Even though the heats weren’t meant to be my best race, there was no point swimming so slowly that I didn’t qualify for the finals at all. I propelled myself through the water, gathering speed for my final few metres. I hit the wall hard and turned to look at the scoreboard.
2. Delphine Attkinson 0:59.24
I’d come second in my heat with a time pretty far behind Annabel’s. But it should be enough to make the finals. As I pulled myself out of the pool, Coach Stuart was there to meet me.
‘Good race, Delph,’ he said, clapping his hand on my shoulder. ‘I think the tumble turn was what slowed you down there –’
‘I turned too early.’
‘Yep, exactly. So for the finals, make sure you get a better rhythm and focus on that turn at the end of the pool.’
I nodded as he held up his hand for a high five. I slapped his hand nonchalantly and walked slowly over to the cool-down pool. I slipped into the water, allowing it to soothe my body. It was important to cool down after a race and I always enjoyed the feeling of unwinding in the water. It gave me the chance to focus on my other races for the day, particularly the 100-metre final and the medley, which I was going to be swimming against Annabel.
I sat on the edge of the pool, gently kicking my legs against the water.
‘Delphie?’
I looked up and saw Ashley standing beside me.
‘Can I sit down?’ she asked nervously.
I nodded.
‘I just wanted to say, good swim in your heat. And, guess what?’
I looked up at her with raised eyebrows. Her eyes were shining and her little dimple was dancing on the edge of her cheek as she tried to hide a smile.
‘I qualified first in my breaststroke heat!’
‘That’s awesome, Ashley,’ I said, genuinely excited for her.
‘I never qualify first. I’m always too focused on Annabel’s races that I never have the mental energy for my own. I think I can actually win something today!’
I smiled at Ashley.
‘Do you reckon you are going to win the 100-metre final?’ she asked me quietly.
‘I dunno,’ I said. ‘But I’m going to give it everything I have.’
Ashley nodded as she stood up. ‘Good luck, Delphie. Swim fast!’
I breathed in deeply.
Swim fast.
I stood on the blocks, my legs shaking slightly. This was it. The 100-metre freestyle final. Annabel was in the centre lane and I was further towards the outer lanes, due to my slower qualifying
time. I was actually pretty glad I wasn’t right next to her. It meant I could focus on my own race.
I had been watching Annabel closely all day and I knew she had been swimming her own heats. For once it was a completely level playing field.
The buzzer sounded and we burst from the blocks. My start was a good one – I knew I had responded with lightning reflex. My dive was good, I pulsed my body under the water, and as I broke the surface I began my strokes. My rhythm was even. My kick was strong and my breathing was perfectly timed with my strokes.
As I approached the wall, I remembered Coach Stuart’s advice. I had to time this right. With a long, outstretched arm, I reached forwards and pulled my body into a tight, tucked position. I felt my feet hit the wall in a great position, knowing it was perfect for maximum push-off. With all my strength, I launched into my final lap.
I kicked my feet hard and ramped up the pace as I approached the final few metres of my race. I propelled my body towards the end of the pool, hitting the end wall with my open palm.
It was a good race. I’d done it right and it felt fast. Had I done enough?
I turned and pulled off my goggles but kept my eyes closed. I could hear the cheers of the crowd around me – were those cheers for me?
I opened my eyes to see the scoreboard blinking back at me.
1. Annabel Ogilvy 0:58.01 (New Record)
2. Delphine Attkinson 0:58.55
I looked over to the centre lane and saw Annabel fist-pumping the air. Tears pricked my eyes. I pulled myself out of the pool, feeling like I’d been punched in the stomach.
Coach Stuart ran over. ‘Delphie! Silver medal! And a personal best! High five, girl!’ His face was beaming.
I couldn’t even muster a smile.
‘What’s up?’ he said, confused.
‘I wanted to win. That was meant to be my race. It was finally a level playing field and I still lost.’ I swallowed hard, trying not to let the tears flow down my cheeks.
‘Level playing field – what are you talking about? You got a personal best, Delphie – you didn’t lose!’
I sniffed, shaking my head, trying to smother the wave of emotions bubbling to the surface.
Coach Stuart patted my shoulder lightly. ‘Delphie, I’m so proud of you. The way you swam today and how you led our team has really impressed me. You’ve still got the relay to go, so you need to move on from this and focus on your next job. I need you to be the anchor for our team – to guide the other girls and get them in the right headspace. I’m relying on you.’
I nodded, feeling slightly better. Coach Stuart was right. I had one more job to do and it was to win back the mixed medley title for the Academy.
‘Okay,’ I said resolutely. ‘Let’s do this.’
‘Girls, this is it. This is our time. It’s time to win back that title for the Academy,’ I said energetically, bouncing lightly on my toes. I could see Bec, Ava and Melissa nodding enthusiastically, feeding off my energy. This is what I did best. ‘We’ve all swum our guts out today – some of us seven or eight races – it’s been a huge day. And this is our final swim. It’s time to dig deep. Find the energy that’s left in the tank and use everything you’ve got.’
‘Yeah!’ Melissa yelled, pumping the air with her fist.
I looked to my left and saw the National Swim School relay team gathered in a huddle around Annabel. She was clearly giving them the same pep talk I was. They clapped their hands and slapped each other on the back.
‘Mel, start us off strong, girl. You know you can do this,’ I said, holding Melissa’s shoulders and looking her straight in the eye. Melissa nodded and smiled. She was our backstroke swimmer and the first leg of the race.
With a bright smile, she lowered herself into the water and squatted her body up against the wall, ready to launch into her backstroke leg.
‘Take your marks …’
BEEP!
‘Come on, Mel!’ I yelled.
The backstroke swimmers were covered in a whitewash of frenzied splashing. Melissa propelled herself through the water, her arms rotating like a windmill as she pulled her body along. She was in second place.
‘Come on, Melissa!’ Ava shrieked in my ear.
The crowd was on its feet – everyone gathered into their swimming clubs, cheering with all their might. I could hear the chant from the Academy girls. But over the top of it I could hear the pulse of the National Swim School girls.
Swim School! Swim School!
As Melissa neared the end of her lap, Bec stood tall, following her strokes, readying herself for the breaststroke leg. Right on cue, Bec launched herself into the water. As she broke the surface, she began bobbing up and down at great pace.
Bec was usually our weaker swimmer in the relay, but today she was on fire. She caught up to the Swim School breaststroker and, after a good turn, ended up slightly in front. Ava screamed in delight. Ava was our strongest swimmer, and if Bec could maintain the lead, Ava could certainly cement it.
As Bec finished her lap, Ava stretched out her long, muscly body in a soaring dive. Her shoulders pummelled through the water, her body thundering along at a rapid pace. She was a picture of power and beauty when she swam.
Ava approached the wall for her turn, and I began to psych myself up for my lap.
‘Come on!’ a voice screeched from the lane beside me. I glanced up and saw Annabel screaming at her teammate to pick up the pace. I shook my head and tried to ignore her. I had to focus on my race.
As Ava turned, I noticed her timing was off. This was very unusual for Ava – she was our flawless swimmer. To see her do an awkward tumble turn rattled me a bit. She pushed off the wall and the Swim School butterfly swimmer took the lead.
‘Yes!’ Annabel screeched.
Ava thundered towards me, I crouched down, ready to swim my lap. We were in second place and I had to bring this home. Ava reached for the wall and I burst from the blocks like a bullet from a gun. My mind focused in on the lane in front of me, completely blocking out Annabel and the crowd from my consciousness. The sound from the crowd around me faded away until all I could hear was my own breath and my arms slicing through the water.
I felt like I was gliding through air – the water around me was light and smooth. As I approached the wall for my turn, I reached out my arm and twisted my body. My two feet planted onto the wall and I burst off, using all my strength.
My body undulated in the water; I felt like a creature of the sea. I was Delphin, mythological creature, completely at one with my watery world.
I turned on the pace for my final few metres. I knew this was my last chance to give it everything I had. I dug deep within myself to find any last scraps of energy I had. I channelled that energy into my legs and arms. This was it.
I thumped the wall with my hands and dipped my head down towards the water. I had given it my all. I could hear the crowd screaming and cheering, but I couldn’t look up.
Suddenly, a hand reached down into the water. It was Melissa, beaming brightly. She was pointing at the scoreboard.
1. The Royal Academy of Sport for Girls
2. The National Swim School
I rubbed my eyes to make sure they were free from water and looked again. Melissa, Ava and Bec were squealing with delight. I pulled myself out of the pool and embraced my teammates.
We all cheered. ‘We did it! ‘We did it!’
Coach Stuart ran over and high-fived us all. ‘You did it!’ he yelled.
We jumped up and down in a huddle, screaming with joy.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see a face smiling at me. At first I thought it was Ashley, but then I realised this face had no dimple and was rounder in shape. It was Annabel.
‘Great swim,’ she said, extending her hand in a handshake.
In speechless awe, I took her hand. ‘Great swim,’ I echoed back.
I peered up to the gallery and saw another face, smiling and yelling. It was Ashley, waving at me. I waved back and
smiled. She held up a ‘number one’ finger. I nodded happily and held up a ‘number one’ finger too.
We had done it.
Name: Delphine Attkinson (you can call me Delphie-Dolphin!)
Hair colour: White-blonde (totally natural!)
Eye colour: Blue
Bestie: Oh, I can’t name just one! My swimming buddies – Ava, Melissa and Bec – and then of course Evie from school. She’s a gymnast at the Academy. And also my fellow Maths-hater – Josie – she’s a runner. We HATE Maths! I guess I don’t have one bestie. I love everyone!
Likes: The beach; ocean swimming; surfing; running; swim training; yoga; chocolate; loud music; dancing; being the centre of attention; my noisy siblings – what can I say? I love life!
Dislikes: Maths; people who cheat; muscle cramps; swimming caps.
If I couldn’t be a famous athlete, I would be … a pop star. Or Prime Minister. I’d be a cool Prime Minister.
If I was at a party, I would be … in the middle of the room, having a dance-off with someone!
READ ALL THE BOOKS IN
The Royal Academy of Sport for Girls series.
Can rising gymnastics star Abby make her dreams a reality at the Academy?
Being accepted into the Royal Academy of Sport for Girls was all Abigail Rogers had ever wished for. But before her feet can touch the ground, the gymnasts are thrown into their first competition of the year to determine who will make up the Academy team for the upcoming State Prelims. The pressure is on! Training harder than ever, and with rivalry growing among the students, Abby begins to doubt if she is, in fact, Academy material.
Can Abby up the level of difficulty in her routine and secure a place in the Academy gymnastics squad? Or will she be persuaded to win with dirty tactics?
Can talented showjumper Chloe face her fears and make the impossible possible at the Academy?
In Too Deep Page 6
