Wolfe and Smith get the job done at TRR...
Smith and Wolfe at the 2011 Trans Rockies
Holding on to a leaders jersey in any sport can often be harder than getting it in the first place. So, with just one stage to go in the 2011 Trans Rockies Run Smith and Wolfe at the 2011 Trans Rockies Mike Smith and Jason Wolfe had to dig deep and keep their nerve…
The 2011 event has been notable for its competitive nature up front, especially in the Open men’s race. Speak to MST this week the UK’s Tom Owens has stated how surprised he and partner Ricky Lightfoot have been at the pace of the event, and how hard the racing has been at times. The fact that this pretty swift duo have found he tempo too high for them, for most of the week, is testament to this.
After 120 miles across some of the most breathtaking and strength-sapping terrain in the US, Wolfe and Smith enjoyed a win that they will savour for many year. Not in the least because they first held the leaders jerseys, then relinquished them to sparring partners Max King and Ryan Bak after stage 3, taking the golden fleeces back on stage 4 and holding on to them as they entered today’s final stage 6 finish into Beaver Creak for a win to savour in 14:57:23.
Bak and King were second over 20 min behind in 15:19:14, with Lightfoot and Owens comfortably in third, in an overall time of 15:31:19.
Rickey Gates leads Anna Frost
A pairing which had been at the fore in their category (mixed) from the very first stage was that of Rickey Gates and Anna Frost. The US/NZ pairing were simply too strong for the opposition, eventually covering the course in 17:07:37, over one hour ahead of their nearest rivals Greg and Amy Friedman.
In fact so good was their performance that their time would have put them in 4th position overall!
In the women’s section is was a crushing victory to for the sisterly pairing of Ashley and Cynthia Arnold. Their time of 18:46:20, a 1 hour 28 min lead over Arcteryx runners Rosemarie Gerspacher and Amy Golumbia.
Provisional results have been posted up here, with further reports and image galleries to follow.
Frosty relaxes!
Reactions so far
anna frost Aug 28, 12:43 AM
Thanks Mud Sweat and Tears for keeping everyone updated on our races.
It was a fantastic week with an awesome team mate Rickey Gates! Super strong!
Resting up now…phew
Frosty