Athletics
One thing is certain about the North Island secondary schools track and field championships to be held at the Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton tomorrow and Sunday.
Competition will be red hot as 800-plus athletes compete in a full programme of events sure to test the organisational capabilities of a sizeable management team.
The construction of the Pelorus Trust all-weather track and the installation of new circles for the throwing events - including safety nets for the hammer throw - guarantee Wairarapa records will tumble, and it would be a huge surprise if several national records were not established as well, such is the quality of the majority of fields.
Whether home-town advantage in such a charged atmosphere will be of any real assistance to the 65-strong Wairarapa squad remains to be seen but it is fair to say they have several runners and throwers who should not only make it through to finals but can fairly be labelled as realistic medal contenders.