Ira looked at the other teams. Some had started and Zhenya had already taken a slight lead. That wouldn't do, not at all. It should be Ira in the lead. Ira jumped a little more and hopped forwards.

"Oops!" she just balanced herself before she could fall. I have to be more careful about this, now.. she thought to herself.

She hopped around the poles, pausing a bit to catch her breath, before hurrying on to the next one. Damn! This was tiring! and this was just the start!