The Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge
Webber Arrives in Tasmania for his Own Challenge
News Release / 29.11.2012
Australian Formula 1 star, Mark Webber, has arrived in Tasmania for the multi-sport adventure race that carries his name.
With a host of World Champion adventure racers, Olympians, ironmen, surfers and AFL footballers on its starting list, the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge is once again living up to all expectations.
Having just travelled from the final Formula 1 race in Brazil via the UK, Webber was thrilled to be back in Tasmania with the chance to compete in the event that he began in 2006 and has raised over $1 million for charities.
“It was a bit of an epic trip to get here, but it’s just so awesome to see the Challenge in full steam,” Webber said.
“The weather has been sensational, and while it’s only early days, everyone is having a great time and the event is going well.
“It’ll be great to get on the course on Friday and Saturday and have a look at it, and smell it and breath it a little bit. I love doing it.”
Webber said the extended Formula calendar meant he could no longer prepare for the Challenge as he once did.
“My preparation for this event is not at the forefront of my thoughts during the season, but the event runs so well now, with or without me on the course. Everyone has a great time, and if I can get out there then that’s great, but if I can’t, then I can still be here in another capacity.”
Webber said that the standard of competitors in the event makes him proud of what he started after and adventure with some mates down in Tasmania in 2003.
“It’s the strongest field ever in terms of the elite competitors. We’ve got world champions racing against each other, and you can see that they’re taking it as seriously as they’ve ever taken it.
“On the surf life saving side of things we’ve got the Eckstein brothers, Kenny Wallace is here, Guy Andrews is a great supporter of the event, and we’ve got Jordie Mercer and Sally Fitzgibbon, so we’ve got people who have achieved many things on the world stage and have come down to test themselves on the course, so I’m really proud of that.”
With the charity event firmly grounded in Tasmania, Webber said that he had no plans to swift it elsewhere.
“It’s one of the biggest events that happens in Tasmania in terms of media coverage in other states and internationally as well, and I think that coverage is something that we can all be proud of.
“I get very, very proud when I see the calibre of athlete that has turned up, and very proud knowing that we’re going to be giving something back to charities that need the help.
“And knowing the friendships that have also been built off the back of this Challenge is also something very special.
The Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania continues for the next three days, finishing in Hobart on Sunday (December 2).
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