World Champs Decision by Christmas

Rob / 22.11.2002

While watching the teams come in on the last afternoon of Southern Traverse Goeff Hunt took a little time out to talk about his next race – the World Championships scheduled for next year.

After putting back this year’s race and recently joining forces with international marketing company ‘Sporting Frontiers Australia’ he’s still unable to confirm any details, the only certainty is there has to be a decision by Christmas. There is clearly some final negotiating to do once Southern Traverse is finished but Hunt sounded confident.

“We’ve been in negotiations with 2 locations, one country and one state, and are close to an international distribution deal for the television programme, but more than that I can’t say. I would have liked to announce the details months ago but it’s just not been possible. I’m pretty confident though, I’d say 95 to 98% sure that we can make the announcement for Christmas and let everyone know where it’s going to be.”

Even Christmas is late if the race is still to be held in Spring next year as originally planned, and with the international calendar now getting so crowded the top teams, who have already qualified, will be planning for 2003 without being able to factor in a World Championships date. When the announcement is made the timing of the race will be crucial.