Peachtree City's Katie Waldeck must have had a great "What

I did on my summer vacation" essay. The freshman at Starr's

Mill competed in the BMX World Championships in the Netherlands and placed

sixth, despite riding in the last two races with what turned out to be

a fractured right wrist.

Waldeck and her father, Pete, traveled to the race and ended up having

a practice schedule that had not been updated, so Waldeck mist her first

of two practice sessions. In the first moto, she was matched up the current

world champion, who was also racing on her home track. Waldeck stayed

behind her and finished the moto in second place. in the second moto,

Waldeck tried a few things and ended up in third place.

Then came the third moto.

In the last turn of the third moto, Waldeck went down in the tire barrier,

fell on her wrist and finished in last place. She and her father headed

to the first aid tent where a doctor wrapped her wrist and told her to

drop out of the race. The doctor gave her no ice and the Waldecks had

trouble locating any. They decided to remain in the race and Waldeck

headed into the semi-final race, where a great start and incredible focus

helped her to a second place finish and qualified her for the championship

race.

Waldeck once again got off to a great start, but it was clear that her

wrist was starting to bother her when she landed her jumps. She started

backing off her jumps and losing ground. When the race ended, she found

herself in sixth place.

Waldeck is still number one in the nation in her age group and hopes

to be flly recovered for the Grand Nationals race, which will take place

over Labor Day weekend.