The 2007 Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
Short Course - Fast Pace
21.11.2007
Lining up along Richardson’s beach at 9am this morning, competitors started out with a 10km kayak across Coles Bay and around to Cook’s beach. The open water kayak made a bit easier as the rain flattened the bay and allowed competitors to make good time. From Cook’s Beach it was up and over Mount Freycinet and into the transition on the bike.
The mountain bike began to look like a demolition derby with five competitors coming off their bikes in the slippery conditions.
Tiffany Cherry was left bleeding from a cut on her forehead and will be examined for concussion. Michael Klim had his sixth crash for the week but made it across the finish line. Webber turned his bike into scrap metal and was forced to use another bike to finish the race.
The quick pace today allowed some of the middle running teams to make a move on the leaders and but we still saw front runners Tassal, Schweppes and Drizabone Activ come across the finish line first. The usual suspects in the Usshers, Telstra, XTech and Tassal made short work of the course all finishing in less than four hours.
Matt Dusting from XTech smiled as he crossed saying, “That was so much fun today. I want to do that again.� This, coming from the man that on day one, completed 20km with both breaks engaged on his bike without realising. Both his legs blew and he was unsure if he would be able to continue. He made a great recovery and they are well position for a podium finish in the 2theXtreme Cup.
Webber was slowed a little with Jason Richardson battling through the tough conditions. They made good time however and crossed the finish line in under four hours – about mid-field. “We started a little shaky on the paddle. Our rudder wasn’t down and ended up off the course a bit with some ground to make up.�
SleepMonsters
