The pros were warming up when Valeria and Emilio arrived. Valeria found Mateo and… a girl dressed up like a gorilla.
“Chloe?” Valeria asked.
Chloe ripped off the gorilla mask. Under that mask was another — a hockey mask. “My mom’s making me wear it.” Chloe groaned. “But I’m gonna be a gorilla in protest! That way when people ask, ‘Which one is your daughter?’ she’ll have to tell them, ‘The one in the gorilla suit.’” Chloe grinned. “So what do you think? Pink or purple tutu to go with… hold on a sec —”
Chloe faced where spectators were gathering, then put on her gorilla mask. She began waving to her mom. Chloe’s mom looked confused, then horrified.
“Purple,” said Mateo. “Hey, you guys had better go. They’re calling your group for course inspection.”
After a brief safety meeting, the five U14 girls were allowed to inspect the 1.2-mile course. Inspection gave riders a chance to check out the full course up close — stuff like the curves and the road conditions — before riding it at race speed.
Valeria went slowly with Chloe. Maybe people thought she was just being nice, but Valeria was happy to go extra slow. And the longer she was on her board, the better she felt. Meanwhile, Chloe was riding like a natural. She fell twice on the corners, but was able to get back up quickly.
“Squat low and lean into the curves,” said Valeria. “You’re doing great!”
“Thanks,” said Chloe. “One bonus to this suit — extra padding when I fall!”
The rain started just as the Women’s Pro event began. The judges ducked under a tent, and the pros ran off to change their wheels. Valeria knew the comp wouldn’t be canceled unless there was thunder.
Twenty minutes later, the rain had slowed to a sprinkle. The announcer told the boarders to line up. Big screens flashed on and Valeria found Ana in the lineup.
Soon they were off. Ana was off to a great start. Valeria cheered.
Chloe poked her, “Um, should I switch my wheels now?”
Wheels! Valeria had forgotten about her rain wheels problem… even if the rain stopped, the road would still be wet.
The crowd let out a groan and Valeria looked up — two of the racers had collided. Valeria looked for Ana. Then she heard cheering. Ana had won!
Chloe poked her again.
“Change them now,” said Valeria.
As she showed Chloe how to swap out her wheels, her disappointment sunk in. Too bad I can’t conjure up a set of rain wheels out of thin air, she thought.
Chapter Ten
A WINNER
Valeria was getting a drink of water when the athlete shuttle arrived, bringing the racers back up to the starting area.
“Valeria!” called Ana.
Valeria pointed to the medal around Ana’s neck. “Congrats!” she said.
“Thanks,” said Ana. “It’s a fun course. A little slippery — but I’m sure you can handle it. Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”
“I’m going to cheer, but I can’t race,” said Valeria. “I don’t have rain wheels.”
Ana ran over to the tool station and started taking the wheels off her board.
“Here,” she said. “This set you sold me worked great today. They have a good vibe. I want you to use them.”
“Really?” asked Valeria.
“Really,” said Ana. “Just get out there and have fun. That’s what it is all about. Don’t worry about winning. Just have fun.”
“Thanks!” said Valeria, smiling.
Valeria found Chloe and helped her finish tightening her wheels. Then she began putting Ana’s rain wheels on her board as Emilio’s group, the local U18s, raced. Emilio cruised into a third-place finish as she gave her board a final check.
“Emilio will be psyched with that!” Valeria told Chloe.
Just then the announcer called, “U14 girls to the starting area!”
There were a lot of laughs when Chloe the gorilla lined up. It helped loosen Valeria up. Here goes! she thought.
“Good luck, Chloe,” said Valeria.
“You too!” said the gorilla.
Then they were off! The racers pushed off, trying to get as much speed as possible before the first steep downhill.
Valeria raced out ahead. She felt awesome! The wheels responded well and her body seemed to know just what to do. At the first steep downhill, she leaned forward with her hands clasped behind her back and got into a speed tuck.
