By Charlotte Tonkin
Half the wheels, twice the fun: that is the gospel according to hundreds of competitors in Wellington for the World Unicycle Champs.
475 athletes from 23 countries have descended on the capital – all balancing on one wheel and keen to avoid a common misconception.
“Don't say the ‘c’ word, we hate being called clowns. There are some clowns in unicycling but, for most of us, it’s a sport,” says Connie Cotter, president of the International Unicyclist Federation.
For the first time in its 33 year history, the Unicycle World Championships, known as Unicon, are being held in New Zealand.
Athletes will compete in more than 30 events, including artistic freestyle – which is the one wheel equivalent of ice skating – and unicycle hockey, as well as mountain unicycling and road racing.
While each unicyclist may be unique, there is a common joke they are all sick of.
“Where's the other wheel?” says Sean Dwen.
“Where's the other wheel?” says Connie Cottor. “And these days with the recession we say we can't afford two.”
In Japan, unicycling is part of the school curriculum, but veteran unicyclists say it is an economical sport which all can enjoy – once you get the hang of just one wheel.
“Unicycling is not something you can learn in five minutes, even the best people take an hour to two hours to go a few metres,” says Ms Cotter.
Seventy five New Zealanders will be donning the Silver Fern over the 11-day event, which is expected to inject $2million into the local economy.
Organisers hope the event is so successful at raising the sport’s profile that no one will be left asking where the other wheel is.
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