2006 FULDA Challenge: German participants gain the lead

1st February 2006

During the first three days of the 2006 FULDA Challenge in Canada’s Yukon Territory, the athletes from Germany have showed strong performances, gaining the lead in both the individual and team standings.

After three days, four events of the Arctic multi-discipline competition have been completed. The half marathon, a spectacular kayak race, a bow and arrow biathlon, and a dog-sled race already forced the participants to go to their limits.

Following four exhausting events, Martin Hollerbach from Schongau in Germany is in the lead in the men's single competition, scoring 35 points and with an overall time of 2:41:50 hours. He is ahead of Daniel Hechenblaickner (31 points) and Allard Derricks (29). In the women's category, Heike Möller leads the competition with 32 points and a time of 3:26:55 hours. She is followed by Lisbeth Buytaert (29 points) and German Christine Schleich from Peiting (27).

In the team category, the German Lowa team with Hollerbach and Möller is ranked first. The German athletes have collected a total of 67 points and are ahead of the teams from Belgium (55 points) and Poland (53). After three days, Team Germany Toyota with Christine Schleich and Stefan Metter-Kaller is ranked seventh with 38 points.

With temperatures around minus 28 degrees Celsius, the participants started the competition with the half marathon's 22-kilometre distance. "Here, many athletes already had to push the envelope to finish the run through ice and snow," Isolde commented on the competition's kick-off. The following kayak race turned out to be no less challenging and even more spectacular: Following the strenuous mountain run, the participants hurled themselves down a rapid-water canyon.

Compared to the first two competitions, it was then time for a comparatively relaxing event, the bow and arrow biathlon: Here, thanks to their great experience, Schleich and Hollerbach dominated their contestants at will. Especially Schleich showed a sensational run, finishing first after slighty more than one hour in the women's category. The final dog-sled race with Alaskan huskies marked the half time of the 2006 FULDA Challenge.

Before Saturday's prize-giving ceremony, bicycle, skidoo, and hovercraft races as well the final mountain run through the Tombstone mountains still have to be completed. "Until then, a lot can still happen," Isolde reckons. "But I hope Christian and Martin are able to keep the lead."

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