YAK ATTACK - SHOWDOWN in the ANNAPURNA\'S
A Worthy Champion
Phil Evans (Extreme World Challenges) / 17.03.2008
They say good things come to those that wait and that was certainly true for the Berghaus Yak Attack Champion 2008, Kaji Sherpa. For 7 days he trailed top runners Phudorjee Lama Sherpa and Philip Morris and by the halfway point it appeared that the title would again be going to the runners.With fresh snow covering the trail up to and over the formidable Thorong La pass, Kaji had to produce an incredible performance to keep with the runners. Carrying an extra 12+kg he arrived at the summit only minutes later than the race leaders. After crossing the pass the advantage definitely shifted to the bikers, with 2700m of descent to negotiate. Although the first part of the descent was snow covered, Kaji slowly started to claw back time from the runners.
Ever the competitor, Phudorjee could foresee his lead slipping away and both he and Philip Morris put in a phenomenal run over 54km from Jomsom to keep the race alive. By then, however, Kaji had cut the lead down to a mere 18 minutes, with a final stage of 22km of downhill jeep track to come.
Even an athlete of Phudorjee's calibre could not match the speed of the bikes on this rapid descent and so it was that Kaji Sherpa came over the finish line at Beni, 36 minutes before Phudorjee on the day and 16 minutes quicker overall, to be crowned Yak Attack 2008 King of the Mountains!
Never a stage winner, but ever consistent, Kaji never lost sight of the lead. His self-belief kept him going when the task ahead appeared impossible and his tenacity sets a great example for all. This understated and quiet champion is indeed a worthy recipient of the Yak Attack winners trophy, 500 pounds prize money + 150 pounds for shattering the 24 hour record, and is an excellent role model for all aspiring athletes.
Sympathy is not something Phudorjee would want, but it is hard not to offer it. In the lead from day 1 when he crossed the finish line equal first with UK runner Philip Morris, until the penultimate day when he defied belief by covering 54km of rocky trail in just 3.5 hours, it for so long looked like the title would be his.See All Event Posts
