Jo Steed celebrates greatest success

Jo Steed returned from the national darts championships in Nelson last week exhausted but triumphant, having cast her way through the masses to an unprecedented level of success in securing three national titles and being named as No 1 in the New Zealand team and as the tournament's standout women's player.

She won both women's singles titles up for grabs this year (i.e. in open and affiliated members-only divisions), and also mounted a successful defence of the Husband and Wife title won with spouse Brian last year. These results saw her pick up the prestigious Most Consistent Lady award and gain selection into both the New Zealand team, as the No 1 player to boot, and also the tournament team with Waipap compatriot Steve Doak.

Other notable performances included Doak and Brian Steed teaming up to reach the semi-finals in the men's pairs, while Doak reached the quarter finals of the men's singles and was also named as first reserve for the New Zealand team. The trio were part of a strong contingent of 19 dartists from the greater Kaitaia area who travelled south for the nationals, with the Steeds - from the Lake Ngatu area - regularly featuring in the highlights of the domestic competition for their Waipap One side, and Doak likewise for his Waipap Two unit.

It wasn't the first time on the podium for the above trio, who had made a name for themselves last year with the Steeds scoring the husband and wife title, while Jo paired with Steve Doak to pick up the mixed pairs title, and also gaining selection into the New Zealand squad on that occasion. But she was unequivocal about what this year's results meant on a personal level.

"That was by far the best I have ever done," she said, adding that it was one "very long week". Last Friday, for instance, saw Jo commencing the quest for one of the ladies' singles title at 8.30am, and her last dart thrown - while playing for event climax the tournament team challenge - shortly after 9pm.

"Well, my arm was getting quite sore," she said in customary down-to-earth fashion. She also noted that having $1000 prize money up for grabs in each of the two ladies singles championships added little pressure.

"To be honest, I never gave the money a thought, I was after the titles." Selection into the national team - made up of four men with three reserves, and four women with three reserves - means Jo can expect to be taking part in a number of world-ranked tournaments in New Zealand later in the year, with a trip across the ditch for the annual transtasman clash potentially in the reckoning as well.

Quite a dry sense of humour too. When asked what the weather was like in Nelson, Jo said. "It was lovely outside [what we saw of it]. Well, at least we didn't get wet walking to and from the venue."

And her response to being asked what the key was to consistently hitting the target, and the stamina required to contest multiple championships at the nationals?

"You have to switch your brain off."

The New Zealand Darts Council 2013 National Championships were held at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson from August 4-9. In domestic news, the local competition resumes after a two-week break next Wednesday, with the draw for the evening's games set to feature in next Tuesday's edition.