The 2007 Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
A Perfect Day in Freycinet
22.11.2007
A light breeze barely made a ripple over Coles Bay as the athletes kayaked from Richardson’s Beach to Swanick before heading to the east coast of the peninsula for a mountain bike ride. The Challenge field were fresh this morning after a reasonably light day yesterday and the stunning gourmet BBQ prepared by event Chef Waji on Richardon’s Beach last night.
Wilson Low, a Singaporean student travelling with the event was heard commenting, “Normally at adventure races competitors leave the event having lost a lot of weight. I think after the Mark Webber Challenge, competitors will have put on weight.� Two time world champion adventure racer Richard Ushher said, “I’ve never seen food like this before at an adventure race. It’s amazing and makes such a difference.�
The Schweppes pair of Richard and Elina Ussher, were slowed down today when Elina had a fall on the coastal run, gashing her left shin. They still managed to cross the finish line in the top few teams, having began the day in the last group of competitors, quickly pushing through the places on the fast 39km mountain bike leg.
The highlight of the day was a 150m abseil off an overhang on Mt Parson’s directly down a sheer rock face to the coast line. Webber, not a great lover of heights, warily made his way down the descent while his partner, ex special services marine, Bernie Shrosbree flew full speed down without a moment’s hesitation.
Tomorrow’s Hobart urban Challenge will take the athletes from the mountain top of Wellington to the water front at Salamanca by many different means in one short day. Leaving the summit of Mount Wellington competitors travel on foot down the 11km Zig Zag, Organ Pipes and Sawmill tracks to Cascade Brewery where they will transition to an 11 km mountain bike. Cycling to Taroona Beach competitors will kayak to Wrest Point casino for another abseil before a short walk through Battery Point to the finish line at Salamanca Place.
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