The Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge

Webber Excited About Challenge Ahead

News Release / 27.11.2012

The Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge gets underway in Launceston tomorrow, with a star-studded field of Olympians, sporting identities and world champion adventure racers ready to tackle the multi-sport enduro.

Mark Webber, speaking from the UK in transit to Tasmania, where he arrives on Thursday for day two of his charity event, believes that many of the star field will quickly find themselves out of their comfort zone.

“I think to have some o f the best Olympians in the world, triathletes, those sort of people which don't normally get dirty.

“ They've got to be really on top of their game to take it to the people that are used to these conditions, used to this racing, the off road-element of it, camping at night. It’s a little bit more uncomfortable for the people that haven't been exposed to that.”

“They can put their body on the line, put their minds on the line, over the course of the week.

“It’s a sensational course. We haven't been to many of the parts before so it's virgin territory for us, which is exciting for the Challenge.

The pre-event favourite is former world adventure champion, New Zealander Richard Ussher, who will team with his countryman, Braden Currie, as Team Tasmania.

The event has also attracted injured Afghanistan veteran, Michael Lyddiard, who will tackle the five-day 350-kilometre Challenge with Rickie Single as Soldier On

The race gets underway at Country Club Tasmania tomorrow morning, with a run, mountain bike, kayaking and rafting legs testing competitors on the opening day.

Webber will join the race at Ben Lomond on Thursday, before the race heads to the East Coast for two days, finishing in Hobart on Sunday afternoon.