We started climbing together and the moment he started riding I realized that he meant business today. So he made 4:30 on top, and I couldn't believe it.

(What she meant was fencing is relevant) because of the moment-to-moment interaction of two actors together who have to be listening and aware of each other, and who have to be so completely involved in what's going on in the moment that everything else sort of becomes secondary. It's the focus, the one-on-one interaction, the moment-to-moment.

It is really tough. It feels like there is an elephant on your back, you feel flat, your legs feel weak, you're really tired, you have a hard time breathing and it's painful. At this altitude everything is so much more painful. If you overextend yourself just a little bit, especially when you're in a technical section and you have to put out a lot of effort just to get over something, the moment you're over it you're in trouble and it takes a very long time to recover.

It was a complete surprise. I've been racing him all season, and he's never really been in contention.

This is your moment. You're meant to be here.

Looking out of a tent door into a world of snow and vanishing hopes. ~George Mallory