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Team Orion Health from New Zealand have crossed the finish line of The
Turas to a huge crowd of onlookers. Looking pretty whacked after the
toughest leg of The Turas, they have been going non-stop since daybreak
yesterday and have taken in approximately 18,000mtrs of climbing on bike
and foot over the last few days. This is the second World Series Race
(they won the XPD in Australia), that Orion Health have won this year,
putting them at the top of the global leader board in adventure racing.
Their success today is a testimony to their sheer determination and team
spirit as they encountered many challenging moments and even dropped as
low as fourth place during the race at one point.
Team Orion Health is comprised of Wayne Oxenham, Stuart Lynch, Brent
Edwards and Anna Berthelsen.
Team Wilsa Helly Hansen with Irishman Eoin Keith are on their way to
cross the line in second place,followed by Swedish Team Lundhags in
third place.
The Turas Comes To An End, What a Journey!*
The end of an amazing journey and the first AR World Series ever to take
place in Ireland, The Turas had its first winners today in the form of
Kiwi team, Orion Health. Comprised of Stuart Lynch, Brent Edwards, Ana
Berthelsen and Wayne Oxenham, Orion Health had been in the lead or
thereabouts for the majority of the race and are ecstatic with their
result. This isn't the first World Series they have won this year, they
also won the Australian XPD earlier in the year. As they have already
gained their entry to the World Championships in Brazil with their win
at XPD, their spot will now be passed on to French Team Wilsa Helly
Hansen of which Irish ultra runner Eoin Keith is a member. Keith is the
only Irish competitor to finish the course and was delighted to reach
the finish line. “This is my highest finish position in a big race by a
long way,” he said. “This is a world class team and I was delighted but
very nervous when I got Marcel’s call. I didn’t know if I would be able
to race with them, but I mostly did. I held my own on the bike and on
foot, but wasn’t so good on the kayaking and swimming!The best thing by
far was the team work – I’d never even met any of the team but we got on
great and had no arguments. Jacob (Robertson) was a revelation, his is
so strong and Karine seemed to get stronger as the race went on. Up
until early this morning we thought we might catch Orion. We saw them at
the jumar and shone our lights up, hoping seeing us so close would spook
them – but it didn’t!”
Last night wasn't without drama, as top teams neared the Play At Height
tyrolean zipline in Bealach Beama, three of the five lead teams actually
missed their checkpoint. According to Deanna Blegg of Team Peak
Adventure teammate "Jarad (Kohlar) was just so whacked and was lacking
sleep so much, that he just wasn't thinking straight". For a team to
miss a checkpoint at such a late stage in the race is devastating. New
Zealand Adventure Sport was another team who missed the checkpoint, they
were also forced to retire from the race due to medical reasons, all on
the eve of team leader and endurance sport legend Richard Ussher's birthday.
As this report goes out, some teams are still out on the course,
trekking in the awe-inspiring Mac Gillicuddy Reeks. Competitors and
followers of the race alike, have been absolutely gob smacked with the
scenery and beautiful landscape they have seen in the last week. Many of
them are already keen to return for training and adventure holidays. The
Turas has served as a mechanism for promoting adventure sports in
Ireland. According to Fiona Buckley, General Manager of Failte Ireland
Southwest "The World Adventure Series has the capacity to launch
Ireland, and in particular the South West region, on a global stage as
an outdoor activities destination of world class status. "The
introduction of The Turas shows what can be delivered in the Region when
industry and agencies such as Fáilte Ireland work to a common goal. We
envisage that the success of The Turas will heighten awareness of this
fantastic product in the Cork and Kerry region and progress the success
of initiatives such as the Failte Ireland South West Adventure Hub
Programme."
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