Fulda Challenge
Brits Haul Themselves Up the Leaderboard
Caroline Pick / 06.02.2004
Britain had its best day so far in the Fulda Tyres Arctic Challenge when Gary Bullen and Gill Watson scored well in a canyon crossing event and a snowmobile race. Bullen, 39, placed third in a contest that saw athletes pull themselves 60 metres across Miles Canyon on a rope in sub-zero temperatures. The event was designed to test the athletes to the absolute limit. Watson finished fourth in the women\'s competition. This was a fantastic achievement for both athletes because many competitors from the nine participating teams failed to make the crossing and were held by a safety line above the frozen rapids below.
Earlier in the day, Bullen finished fourth in a 15-kilometre, freestyle cross-country ski race over a frozen, snow-blown lake - and Watson was close behind in sixth place. In a three-lap race on yet another frozen lake, the duo were the sixth finishers on high-powered snowmobiles. After eight events, Bullen and Watson have scored 71 points and are in sixth place just behind the German Toyota duo and the Italian team. Canada leads with 104 points with the British Hi-Q team remaining in last position with 40 points.
Barry Nutley of the British Hi-Q team, had his best result so far when he finished third in the snowmobile race. His team-mate Clare Dawson was eighth after receiving a time penalty for colliding with Watson - who had fallen from her snowmobile on a steep bank. Both competitors, despite being in last position have been warmly cheered by fellow athletes
The British underdogs are doing their nation proud; their stamina and fighting spirit are remarkably high and they are acquitting themselves well against the toughest competition and in the most challenging of weather conditions.
With temperatures dropping to -30C, the teams will have to continue to battle against the hostile elements if they want to achieve well-earned glory and Klondike gold.See All Event Posts
