Surfers beat V8 Supercar Champ on track
Aussie surfer Clint Kimmins roared to victory over 2006 V8 Supercar champion Rick Kelly on the Gold Coast yesterday. Supported by 18 of the world’s most talented junior surfers from the US, France, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, South America and Australia and the Red Bull surf management team, Kimmins took the coveted gold trophy. UK Open Surf Champion Oliver Adams, whose parents were former champion racing drivers, took third place.“I really enjoy watching V8 Supercars and having Rick there was great”, said Kimmins, who was stoked that he had beaten the champ. “Although he started last on the grid and I started first, I think with one more lap he would have gone straight past me”, said Kimmins.
Zooming around the Karting in Paradise Darlington Park track at up to
120km, the surfers showed that they are just as competitive and
energetic out of the water. The surfers were divided into two teams in
order to encourage the athletes to work together.“The surfers all did really great, had loads of fun and learned a new skill”, said Camp Director and former WQS surfer Andy King.
“The karting was a huge success”, agreed Andy Walshe, High Performance Manager for Red Bull USA. “Even though surfing is a highly individual activity, it’s vital that our athletes can work and travel well as a team”.
The track work was the icing on the cake after the surfers had experienced another high by travelling by helicopter from the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp 08 at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre in Casuarina, on the far north coast of NSW the to the kart track. The majority of athletes had never traveled by helicopter before, so were totally blown away by the experience.
“It was amazing, I felt like we were rock stars catching a helicopter
to go karting” said delighted central coast surfer Mathew Wilkinson.The exclusive camp which invited 19 future world champions including four Australians concludes tomorrow. Tonight King will announce the four surfers who have been awarded the Red Bull WQS Scholarship which will provide professional support and financial assistance to their WQS assault. They will also enjoy a special seminar with world champion Mick Fanning and big wave surfing legend, Ross Clarke-Jones.
Leave a comment