Anaconda Adventure Race - Lorne
Ussher and Sym crowned king and queen of adventure racing
Naantali Marshall - Rapid Ascent / 08.12.2008
Bad weather and strong winds forced a last minute course change which kept the paddle leg in the protected Loutit Bay and a new run leg that was extremely demanding due to the number and length of the uphill sections. On the upside, the event was more spectator friendly with competitors starting and finishing every discipline in the Adventure Expo that also kept spectators occupied with sponsors stall, food and entertainment.
Ussher, was crowned Series winner after his first placing in the Gold Coast, Western Australian and today’s Victorian round of the Series. In order to win he had to beat fast improving Jarad Kohlar who, if he’d won today, would have won on a count back. Pressure was high and a great race was run with Kohlar pegging Ussher back after a slow swim start to within a few minutes at the final Keen run to Tanita Mountain Bike transition point. Ussher, the most experienced in the field, paced his race extremely well and knew that he had the legs to beat Kohlar if he still had the lead at the final transition. He did have another obstacle in local surf club member and dark horse, Tristan Read who had a large lead after the swim and paddle legs. Throw in Sam Hume, recently returned from his 27th overall and 2nd Australian in the Hawaiian Ironman and it was a hot field for the Series finale and enough to keep Ussher on his toes. He managed to conquer all with an impressive 4 hours 13 with Kohlar finishing just 5 minutes behind and Hume a further 8 minutes back.
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