Fulda Tyres Arctic Challenge
Last Corner Crash Dents UK Hopes
31.01.2005
Location: Schwatka LakeThe 2005 Fulda Challenge is underway and after day one the UK team have some catching up to do ... but it could have been so different.
Ski-Doo racing was the first event on the seven-day schedule and what looked like a sure win for the UK’s Richard Jackson, turned to bitter disappointment. Richard was winning the men’s competition but came off the Ski-Doo at the last corner. He completed the race, but finished last and collected only a single point. Female U.K. contestant Emmie Gribble finished in seventh place to take four points.
Ski-Doos are a new sport for most of the competitors and the event was held on a specially designed circuit on the frozen Schwatka Lake - located just outside the Yukon’s main town of Whitehorse. Surrounded by trees and breathtaking scenery, the lake was named after Army Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka who rafted the length of the Yukon River in 1983. Used by float planes (sea planes) in the summer the lake is frozen throughout the winter. With the temperature at minus 25ºC and a vast open expanse of ice it was an ideal site for the competitor’s first challenge.
Competing against each other in pairs they had to complete three laps of the course. The final results were calculated on the fastest time, minus penalty points.
32-year-old Emmie Gribble from Hammersmith was delighted with her performance. “This event was a great way to start the challenge - a real adrenalin rush,� she said. “Like most of the other teams, I have never been on a Ski-Doo and I was surprised I got as many points as I did. I am normally quite anxious when I try something new - especially when there is a lot of speed involved. I can’t wait to start day two’s events and improve my position.�
Richard Jackson, an offshore engineer from Newcastle, was a little frustrated but echoed Emmie’s comments: “That was incredible,� he said. “I was winning the race and then went too fast into the last corner - I should have kept going at a steady pace and would definitely have picked up more than one point. However, the first day has been a lot of fun and there are plenty more events for me to make it up. I am looking forward to the Kanu-Downhill tomorrow.�See All Event Posts
