05/12/2011
NEWS STORY
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Just days after his season-ending victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Mark Webber will swap his Red Bull RB7 for foot, paddle and pedal power when he joins a 60-strong field of athletes at the start of the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge on Wednesday.
The Australian's multi sport race, which is back on the calendar after a three-year break, sees two-person teams take on some of the most rugged scenery over five tough days of racing and the ultra-competitive racer is determined to set the pace when he competes alongside top adventure racer Guy Andrews on certain stages during the opening day.
"It was great to end the F1 season on a high with a win in Brazil and that has really set my competitive juices flowing for the Challenge," said Webber. "It's such a buzz to have the event back on again - I've missed it - and I can't wait to get back into the wild and race through those great Tasmanian trails again.
"We've got a very varied field this year, including several international teams, and the event is quickly regaining momentum. It's amazing to think it started off as just a trek through the bush with a few mates back in 2003 and now it's raised more than a million dollars for charity through the Mark Webber Foundation."
This year's Challenge will cover a course of around 350km and involves a variety of disciplines including kayaking, mountain biking, trail running and rope work.
Webber put in some pre-event training with a 6.5km Adventure Run around Hobart on Sunday, joining the crowds to race through to the city streets and the trails of the Queens Domain.
He took the opportunity to test some of the Challenge course today (Monday) and although he is only able to race on the opening day due to F1 commitments back in Europe, he will still get the chance to sample one of this year's biggest thrills - a nail biting 50m abseil over the picture postcard Wineglass Bay.
"The opening day of the event always has a great atmosphere and I am looking forward to taking to the start line with all this year's competitors," said Webber. "The route looks like it's going to be awesome and there's plenty to keep us busy on day one with bikes, kayaks, running and kayaking all in the mix - not to mention that big drop!
"I would love to do more of the event but my F1 commitments take priority and I need to be in India and the UK later this week but I will be watching online to see how it's all going and I am sure Guy and Darren Clark, who will pick up my baton, will keep flying the flag."
The now annual Challenge, which is supported by Swisse, Tourism Tasmania, Red Bull, Pure Tasmania, LG, Rexona, Pirelli and Renault, raises funds to support Whitelion, which supports disadvantaged young people, and the Save the Tassie Devil campaign, which is working to help the recovery of the island state's endangered native animal.
And after one of the longest F1 seasons on record, Webber, who ended the year with third place in the championship, is keen to use the Challenge and the rest of the winter to take some time out to focus his mind on racing again in 2012.
"We live life in a bit of a fishbowl in F1 and it's great to get back out to nature," said Webber. "What I love about the Challenge is not only the scenery but also the chance to get to know some real characters. Everyone has a similar mindset - it's competitive, but there's also a lot of camaraderie involved.
"Some days will involve up to 90kms of racing, so it's a tough event, but it's all about getting to the finish and if someone's struggling the other competitors know how to pick them up and help them get through. The greatest stories we've had in the event come from those real heroes who achieve beyond what they thought they could.
"It's a great tonic for me to see that, and also to see the funds that everyone raises for the chosen charities. It's also a good chance to unwind a bit, and it will set me up for what I hope will be a good winter of preparation to fight hard for the F1 championship again when we get back on track again next year."
The Challenge will begin on Wednesday December 7 and to follow the event live or to register your interest in entering next year's event, go to the Challenge website.