25 November 2008
Mark Webber's Challenge Finishes in Hobart
The final day of the 2008 Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge was held in Hobart today. Competitors began the day with a wild boat ride from Port Arthur into Hobart’s port.
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 areas,” 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.
“He would be hoping we gave it 100%,” said Padgett. His partner Bradford said “he’s (Webber) a huge part of this event. We wanted to finish strongly.”
Deanna Blegg from Keen shared the same view saying, “Mark wanted the race to go on so we went on. We’re all thinking of him and wish him the very best.”
Mark Webber had surgery overnight to repair a fractured right leg after colliding with a vehicle on the mountain bike leg yesterday in Port Arthur.
Doctors were pleased with the surgery and expect him to make a full recovery. “Mark’s in good spirits and is just focusing on his rehabilitation and getting ready for March,” said Event Director Geoff Donohue.
Webber’s partner in the Pure Tasmania Challenge, Daniel MacPherson continued to compete today and finish what he’d started with Webber.
“After yesterday’s events Mark is in everyones minds. This event is very much Mark’s event and represents him as a person.”
“I’ll be back next year and if Mark can stay upright on his bike I’ll be his partner,” grinned MacPherson.
In the corporate category, the Van Diemen Cup, Telstra won the event for the thrid time in a row. Datacom were the winners of the 3-day category, the Ambassadors Cup.
2theXtreme Cup Red Bull 18.19.48, Keen 19.16.23, Driza-Bone Activ 19.38.39
Van Diemen Cup Telstra 20.26.39
Ambassadors Cup Datacom 12.01.59
