Fulda Tyres Arctic Challenge
Team UK Fights Back
01.02.2005
Event 2: Mountain Biking - Skagway, AlaskaA strong performance in the mountain bike race by Hammersmith-based Emmie Gribble got the UK 2005 Fulda Challenge team off to a good start on the second day of competition.
The ten teams travelled 2.5 hours south, from Whitehorse to Skagway, to reach the location of the second event. With a population of 862, Skagway is located at the most northern point on the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. The teams and support vehicles drove for 110 miles (in convoy) from their base in Canada’s icy Yukon Territory along the deserted Alaska Highway. After clearing customs at the Canadian border the competitors entered British Columbia and drove into the town to commence the 35km race.
The race took place in temperatures of below minus 20ºC and involved an altitude change of 185 metres. Each competitor had to complete the course in 2.5 hours (or less) in order to collect points. Emmie crossed the finish line in under two hours and picked up a much-needed eight points. In the men’s race UK competitor Richard Jackson, from Newcastle, finished sixth and collected four points.
Event 3: Kanu-Downhill, Carcross Desert
After the exhausting mountain bike event the day’s activities culminated with the nerve-wrecking Kanu-Downhill in the Carcross Desert.
After dragging a full sized canoe up snow-swept hills each competitor had to negotiate a specially designed slalom course. The athletes with the fastest times scored the most points. Judged on overall time, minus penalty points, Emmie collected five points and Richard six.
She was delighted with her progress during day two: “I am really pleased with third place in the mountain bike event. I cycle to work everyday but not in conditions like this! The road was really icy and I nearly came off the bike in places. I was in third position most of the way and I just kept pushing so that I didn’t lose any valuable points.See All Event Posts
