01/09: Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally, Arthur's Pass (NZ)

Temple BasinAnother shocking day of strong wind and heavy rain was not enough to keep away 13 hard core ski mountaineering racer's this past Saturday at the Deuter Temple Basin Randonnee Rally.
The course was again reduced to a shorter 300m version because of the weather. The Rec class did this once , with the Race class doing 2 laps. There were lots of transitions in the short race, that included 2 boot pack sections, a short uphill tussock climb, a creek crossing and a run along the trail from Temple lodge to Temple tow. The high light of the course was the steep boot pack up "Upper Leap In".
The race was wide open after last years Rando Rally winner, Gary, opted out of the race at the last minute. Gena, Jane and Duncan charged out at the start and all arrived at the bottom of the first boot pack together. Gena's speedy transition seen him break away from the lead group at this point. Duncan managed to hold off Noel for 2nd, while Noel made it in the top 3 for the second time in the series.
Jane had an easy win and defended her title after Kath pulled out, but only after Kath lost her skin, found her skin (and Reese's!) and then stopped to assist fellow racer Tristan.
Huge thanks to the crew at Temple for making this happen! The marshals in the rain and wind did a stellar job!
Thanks to all the sponsors, especially Scarpa and Deuter for the great prizes.
Next stop in the 2007 Scarpa ski Mountaineering Race series is the series final, the Marmot CraigieBurner on the 15th september.

Results

Race Class

Male
1st Gena Sibaev 45min23sec
2nd Duncan Sherratt 57.50
3rd Noel Oien 59.34
4th Gregg Beisly 61.10
5th Alexis Poilvert 62.43
6th Tim Ensor 63.22
Will Page DNF
Chris Slade DNF
Tristan Bennett DNF
Gary MacPherson DNS
Craig Martella DNS

Female
1st Jane Harper 51.07
Kath Conlan DNF
Sally Schotts DNS

Rec Class

Male
1st Reese Doyle 37.12

Female
1st Gillian Ensor 42.09

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