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2011 Patagonia 8hours@Jacks Slashes Previous Records

News Release / 23.10.2011

Previous lap times were slashed at the annual Patagonia 8hrs@Jacks yesterday (October 22) when the Placemakers team clocked 20 laps and multisport guru Mark Williams achieved 17 laps in the individual section of the challenging eight hour mountain bike event.

Race Director Geoff Hunt says last year the fastest team recorded 17 laps and the best individual 16 laps. “These guys were really flying this year and there were some outstanding lap times throughout the day.”

The 6.9km track, known as Straggler’s Loop, has been developed specifically for the event and traverses areas through rocky outcrops, and even a small gum forest on the northern edge of Jacks Point resort, before returning to the internal trails.

The aim of the race is to complete as many laps as possible within the eight hour timeframe and twenty nine teams consisting of two, three or four members competed along with seven individual competitors.

“We were very happy to maintain our numbers for this event in the face of competition from a new Wanaka based ten hour race scheduled for today (October 23). It is difficult for potential competitors to commit to both and we would like to thank those people who have continued to support 8hours@Jacks.”

Hunt says conditions were slippery for the first few laps of the race. “But once the cloud burned off and the sun came through the course dried out and became faster. The thing about this event is that competitors can go as fast as they want and do as many laps as they choose. There is no pressure and it suits all biking levels from the hardcore to the recreational.”

The young Placemakers team made up of Hawkes Bay and Hamilton racers was excited about completing 20 laps and spokesman Ryan Gough says it was a fantastic event. “We have been competing in the Junior Tour of Southland and other events down south and it was great to come and do a more relaxed race like the 8hours@Jacks. It was definitely tough though but we loved it.”

While Placemakers had the most laps on the board to win the Open Teams section a young Alexandra team, Curious George which won the Junior Male category, put in the fastest lap with team member 16-year-old Tom Vessey crossing the line in 23.01 on the fourth lap. The team recorded 18 laps overall.

Mark Williams (Queenstown) made his debut in the three-year-old event and as a sponsor (R&R Sport) was upbeat about the race. “It was amazing to ride along the edge of the track and look out at the stunning scenery. It is a brilliant course and definitely has its challenges.”