Ashburton Law Practitioners Society secretary Andrew Mitchell (right) and president Matt Marshall (right) met with Ashburton College graduate Melissa Maslin yesterday to present her scholarship for law school. Photo Katie ToddWhen Ashburton College graduate Melissa Maslin checked her emails last week, she discovered a very pleasant surprise.

Maslin has been selected by the Ashburton Law Practitioners Society (ALPS) as the recipient of their annual scholarship, and will be embarking on her law studies at the University of Canterbury with less financial burden.

Maslin has received $250 upfront to help her with her studies, and will receive an extra $750 if she continues through into the second year of law.

Ashburton Law Practitioners Society Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the scholarship is given to a student who has not only achieved academic success in their NCEA results, but has proved themselves to be “well-rounded”.

“It’s for someone who has a clear passion, as well.”

All Year 13 students from Mount Hutt College and Ashburton College intending to study law are eligible for the annual scholarship.

By Katie Todd © The Ashburton Guardian - 14 February 2018

Ashburton’s Matthew Clough (right) with winner Oliver Thomson. Photo suppliedIt is going to be an exciting year for Ashburton multisport athlete Matthew Clough.

The 17-year-old finished second in the two-day Coast to Coast at the weekend and will compete in two other big events, one in Denmark, in the next six months.

Clough was a standout in Coast to Coast, an iconic 243km race from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to the pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.

Competitors cross the main divide at 1000 metres above sea level and test their limits cycling, running and kayaking.

The Ashburton College student easily won the schoolboy category and was second overall, in a time of 12 hours, 24 minutes and 16 seconds.

Yesterday he was looking forward to a good night’s sleep in his own bed, and reflecting on a great race.

Clough set his sights on the event 18 months ago, taking part in the mountain run in 2017, then learning to kayak in preparation for this year’s event.

The river leg was a challenge but he was one of the quickest of the 230 two-day pack, cutting out the 67km along the Waimakariri River in 4.22.43 hours.

“A year ago I could do 10 strokes before I fell out.

“Now I am paddling down grade two rivers in four and a half hours battling rapids along the way.”

Clough said he was with a bunch of about 40 riders after the short run and then 55km cycle to the start of the 33km mountain run over Goat Pass to Klondyke corner.

Fighting off cramp after the first river crossing, he surged to the front of the brutal leg and finished the first day’s racing in third place.

“The main goal for that day was to get to the finish line uninjured and feeling good.”

Clough’s crew, which included parents Carolyn and Kerry, and sponsor and physio Shaun Clark, were waiting and stoked with his progress.

Clark worked his magic on Clough’s sore muscles with some massage and stretching, then the crew bedded down for the night.

Clough said he, like most of the other competitors, had been up at 4am that day and was “reasonably stuffed”.

The nerves picked up a little as the second day, and the kayak challenge, dawned.

But river conditions were perfect and Clough’s practice on the water paid off.

He emerged from the water with eventual two-day winner Oliver Thompson and the pair worked together, cycling 70 kilometres into Christchurch’s notorious easterly wind towards the finish line at Sumner Beach.

In the last final straight, Thompson picked up the pace.

Clough stayed with him, banking on his triathlon experience and fast dismount to give him an edge if he needed one in the short sand sprint.

“I know how to dismount my bike well and I threw it at the officials and took off.”

Clough crossed first, but his cumulative time turned out to be two minutes and 48 seconds behind Thompson’s.

“I don’t know if was emotional, but it was a pretty good feeling crossing the finish line.”

He celebrated with a piece of watermelon and a beer, and put his hand in the sea to complete the journey from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

Clough said he had been training up to 11 sessions a week in preparation for the Coast to Coast and would soon start his build-up for the national Xterra championships in Rotorua in April. The event involves an open water swim leg, so the former competitive swimmer will be back to early morning training sessions at the EA Networks Centre.

He will also have his hands full at college, where he is deputy head boy and studying for NCEA Level 3.

In July he heads to Denmark for the World Multisport Championships.

Clough said he had no plans to sign up for the one-day Coast to Coast but was proud to be one of five Ashburton athletes in the top tier of the two-day event.

Sam Clements-Stuart finished sixth, Cameron Harcourt 16th, Paul Sinclair 20th and Mark Summerfield 21st.

In the main one-day event, Whakatane’s Sam Clark made it three wins in a row, while South African Robyn Owen claimed her first win.

By Linda Clarke © The Ashburton Guardian - 12 February 2018

Cameron Harcourt. Photo supplied.Ashburton local, Cameron Harcourt is putting no extra pressure on himself ahead of this weekend’s Coast to Coast, other than to make sure he enjoys himself.

Thirty-year-old Harcourt is making his debut in the two-day individual challenge, which begins at 7am tomorrow morning on Kumara Beach, after doing the mountain run last year.

After competing last year, Harcourt set himself the challenge to make the next step up 12 months later and he’s happy to say he’s going to make it to that starting line and then the rest is up to fate.

Just getting there and being prepared has been a challenge in itself though and required a learning of a completely new skill.

“I didn’t really know how to kayak, so I’ve had to put a bit of time into that,” Harcourt said.

“I managed to get qualified with my grade two and have done some big runs up the Waimakariri and Rakaia gorges as well as some training out at Lake Hood.

“It’s been completely new to me, but I’ve enjoyed it.”

Harcourt was making the long trek over to the coast this morning and spent most of Wednesday preparing and getting everything packed.

He’ll have the support of his parents and girlfriend while he makes his way through the centre of the South Island but all he’s worried about at the moment is getting a decent night’s sleep.

“I’ve never been too good at getting sleep before big events, even rugby games and stuff growing up I’ve struggled.

“So, if I can get a good night of sleep into me I think I’ll be right.”

The former Ashburton College student has had the added advantage in training of being able to do it alongside a group of other locals who are also taking part which has helped with the preparation – but he knows once the gun goes off, it’s every man for himself.

“That first stage, on the bike, will be the trickiest bit I think – it’s all go for that bit.

“Once I get off the bike and into the run, then I reckon I will be alright – I’ll be able to enjoy it a lot more and relax.”

While he’s not adding to the hype by putting a time or a placing on his wish list – Harcourt would like to think he could manage to finish in the top half of the field.

“That’s realistic I think, if I can do that I’ll be pretty happy.

“I’ll be pretty happy when I get to about 100 metres off the finish line too, I reckon.”

The two-day event begins tomorrow morning and competitors are expected to be making their way down the Canterbury Plains on Saturday afternoon.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 8 February 2018