Gibbs and Jackson Join Aberdeen Asset Management

Rob Howard / 11.04.2006

With the comings and goings between the UK’s top teams this year Aberdeen Asset Management have also had a reshuffle, though the core partnership of Nick Gracie and Warren Bates remain. For the coming season’s international races they are joined by two of the UK’s strongest athletes, Tom Gibbs and Helen Jackson, both former members of the Saab Salomon squad.

Ruth Metcalfe, who was on the winning Wilderness ARC team last year remains in the squad, but Chris Near has left to join Saab Salomon. It seems unlikely he will get to race his old team however, as Saab Salomon are focusing on the faster paced Raid Series and Aberdeen Asset Management are sticking with the expedition length racing at which they’ve been so strong.

The team has always been focused on international competition at the highest level, and have a formidable track record, with good results in World Championships in Newfoundland and New Zealand and at Southern Traverse. Last years win in the Wilderness ARC was their first World Series victory and with Gibbs and Jackson on board they are determined to defend their title.

“Our aim is to enjoy ourselves, retain the WARC title (and open the door to the World Champs at Explore Sweden 2006)... and start the foundations winning the World Champs in Scotland in 2007,” said Bates. “Nick and I are very much looking forward to racing with 2 of the best racers the UK has ever produced and the team looks quite formidable when you stack up our expedition length race experience. I only hope Helen goes easy on us and Tom is as good at navigating as they say he is!”