Event News

Close to 600 men, women and children of all ages took to the Coolangatta surf today for the third annual Cooly Classic Ocean Swim.

Hot favourite in the mens draw, Codie Grimsey, lived up to expectations and took the 2012 honours in the main event, the 2km ocean swim from Snapper Rocks to Kirra Beach, with Jessica Bayliss leading in the womens field.

A range of course options were available at this year’s Cooly Classic and Weekend Warrior Events Director, John Guise, said Gold Coast residents really got behind the event “Family participation was fantastic and we are starting to see a lot more kids taking on their parents in the same events!” “It’s this broad appeal that is attracting so many newcomers to ocean swimming in Queensland”

This year’s QLD Ocean Swim Series is also raising funds and awareness for Obesity Prevention Australia and the aim is to get more Queenslanders off the couch and into an active lifestyle.

“Obesity Prevention Australia is an organisation born on the Gold Coast who shares our vision for a fitter, healthier state” said Weekend Warrior Events Director, John Guise. “We’re often reminded that Queensland is the fattest state and we all have a role to play in the fight against obesity”.

The Series began at Tangalooma (Moreton Island) on March 11 and following the Cooly Classic is a two-day festival at Caloundra on April 28 & 29.

For more information visit weekendwarriorevents.com.au

For the 9th time today the downhill glacier bike race took place in Saas-Fee. In perfect weather and snow conditions, the 142 riders had to manage 1700m of vertical, starting en mass at 3’500m and riding over glacier and snow to the village at 1’800m. This year’s winner was Charly Di Pasquale from Les Granges Narboz, France, with a record breaking time of 7.31 minutes.

The mass start began with the 139 male riders, and 3 female riders running to their bikes. While some entrants had already began riding, others were just reaching their bikes. At first there was a swarm of riders, but soon the better competitors left the others behind.

The Race on the Glacier
The first section of the race traverses the Fee Glacier down to the steep Panorama Slope. Here, the more daring riders jumped 8 to 9 metres from the top of Panorama Slope to the steep piste below. Some riders where uncertain how to approach that slope, with many taking the safety first option by going slowly, with some even dismounting and sliding down the slope.

Valley Run Morenia
Coming into the Morenia section of the course, five riders formed the lead pack. Here, one of the riders crashed going into a corner and the eventual winner, Charly, was able to manoeuver his way to the front. He then led for the rest of the race from a small group of riders who, not for the lack of trying, were unable to catch him.

The finish area
Charly Di Pasquale began the last section of the course with a six second lead over his nearest competitor, and crossed the line with a final time of 7 minutes 31 seconds. Second place was taken by last year’s winner, Bernhard Rösch with a time of 7 minutes 38.0 seconds. The awards ceremony followed the race with the prize money totalling 7000 CHF.

The ranking
The winner of the men’s category was Charly Di Pasquale from France. Second place was awarded to Bernhard Rösch, from Kirchberg, Switzerland, and awarded third place was Lukas Albert, from Sarnen, Switzerland with a time of 7 minutes 38.1 seconds. The winner of the women’s category was Ines Wyrsch, from Basel, Switzerland, with a time of 13.02. Second, with a time of 13 minutes 14 seconds, was Claudia von Känel, from Zweisimmen, Switzerland, and third was Maya Eichholzer from Lantsch, Switzerland, with a final time of 14 minutes 54 seconds.

Ranking list 2012
http://services.datasport.com/2012/winter/glacierbike/