Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
Mark Webber Challenge Finishes in Hobart
25.11.2008
The forecast was for some wintery, wild weather but once the mist had cleared on the start line at the summit of Mount Wellington, competitors got down to business and patches of blue sky began to show.
Winds remained high for the day, forcing Race Director Tim Saul to take out the kayak leg of the course due to choppy conditions on the Derwent River.
Keen’s Jarad Kohlar and Deanna Blegg who came second overall were disappointed as they consider the kayak leg their strongest discipline. “It was disappointing that a number of kayaking legs had to be taken out of the course over the week due to weather as it is our best discipline,� said Kohlar.
Despite receiving a 30 minute penalty yesterday for collecting checkpoints in the incorrect order, Keen were pleased to finish and were happy with their second place.
“We took it easy today and just enjoyed it. We loved the mountain bike on Mount Wellington and got some pretty good air over some of the jumps,� said Kohlar smiling through his mud splashed face.
Red Bull were thrilled the cross the finish line in first place after being pushed the whole week by Keen and third place getters Driza-Bone Activ.
“We won four of the five days but were pushed the whole way. We are really glad to be here for the Challenge and would like to thank Red Bull for sponsoring us in this great event,� said Lieuwe Boonstra.
Chris Bradford and Mark Padgett from Driza-Bone Activ came back to the Challenge for the second year in a row and went into the event a lot fitter and stronger than in 2007. “It’s not just one part of this event we love, it’s all of it,� said Padgett.
Event staff and competitors were understandably a bit flat overnight after Webber’s accident yesterday but were determined to go into the final day positive and giving it their all.
SleepMonsters
