Fulda Challenge Update

The Fulda Challenge Adventure Race is currently under way in Canada with the British team doing pretty well indeed. Here is the latest press release from the race organisers: UK team rise to the ?Challenge? on day two   Event three: Biathlon Location: Grey Mountain, Yukon Following a successful start for the UK Fulda Challenge team, Kate Balchin and Martin Yardley were prepared for one of the toughest events on the 2006 schedule ? a gruelling biathlon.The event took place at the beautiful Grey Mountain, a place not to be missed by visitors to the Yukon. As they travelled to the course at sunrise yesterday, the teams were greeted with a spectacular view of the whole of Whitehorse, including Lake Laberge. The exhausting biathlon event took place on 12km (five laps of 2.4km) of snow-covered hills and icy straits. The competitors negotiated the course on cross-country skis, a discipline that is incredibly tough on the body.The Fulda Challenge organisers also added their own twist to the traditional biathlon, with four rounds of archery instead of the normal shooting event, and seconds added (or deducted) from the athletes? overall times for missing or hitting the target. Trying to aim and shoot straight with cold and aching fingers proved difficult for many of the competitors. Having done cross-country skiing before, Martin crossed the line in an admirable eighth place and collected three valuable points. The event was won by Martin Hollerbach, who claimed the ten points (and a record time) for the German Lowa team. This increased its overall lead in the challenge so far. As for the female competitors, Kate Balchin finished in ninth position. Dutch competitor and fellow police officer, Irma Grrotscholten, accompanied her on her final lap. They congratulated each other as they strode over the finish line together and Kate walked away with a hard-earned two points. Event four: Dog sledding Location: Blue Kennels, Meadow LakeThe teams headed off in convoy to Meadow Lake for a spot of lunch before taking part in a gruelling dog sled race. Known to the professionals as ?dog mushing?, this sport has a strong heritage in the Yukon. Blue Kennels was selected as the location for the race due to its magnificent meandering course through the Yukon?s frozen wilderness. Following an official dispute in the dog sled race, the results of this event have not yet been released. A full list of the overall scores will be announced tomorrow. The UK team remain in high spirits despite a tough day in the 2006 Fulda Challenge. ?Today was a bit disappointing for us,? said Martin. ?I had high hopes for the biathlon but the technique required was not what I am used to. However, we both finished the course and that is the main thing ? tomorrow can only get better.? ?I knew that the cross-country would be a tough one for me,? added Kate. ?I am not well practiced in this style of skiing but my strength ensured that I at least got round. In some cases you have to accept that you are not the strongest at something and we now need to move forward and concentrate on scoring well tomorrow.? Day three of the 2006 Fulda Challenge will see the teams take part in a mountain bike race from Johnson?s Crossing to Teslin, followed by a car pull event at Watson Lake. The UK team is competing against athletes from Canada, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland and four teams from Germany for the title of 2006 Fulda Challenge champions. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Dawson City on Saturday 4 February and the winning team will collect two Klondike gold nuggets (one each). The male and female competitors with the highest overall score will also win $3,000 (Canadian). www.fulda-challenge.com Event Itinerary 30 January       Half marathon at Carcross                       Downhill-kayak race at Carcross Dessert 31 January       Biathlon at Grey Mountain                       Dog sled race 1 February       Mountain bike race from Johnson?s Crossing to Teslin                       Car pulling at Watson Lake 2 February       Tyre changing on Robert Campbell Highway 3 February       Skidoo race on Yukon River                       Hovercraft race on Yukon River 4 February       Mountain run in Tombstone Mountains

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