Another World Record for New Zealand

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Another World Record for New Zealand

-Cricket world record one day - the world's largest tape ball the next-

Two young Kiwis have put New Zealand on the world map by gaining a Guinness World Record for the world's largest tape ball.

The record tape ball weighs a staggering 53kgs and has a circumference of more than 2.5 metres.

Alexis Fletcher and Ben Naylor, both Massey University students, have spent the last two months trying to beat the record previously held by an American whose tape ball weighed only 45.65kg - about seven kilograms lighter than the New Zealand tape ball.

The students decided to undertake the bizarre challenge after checking the Guinness World Records website to see if a record existed.

"It was a joke to begin with as we used to make tape balls at school," says Ms Fletcher. "However, we started taking it seriously as we got closer and closer to breaking the record. It was extremely tiring because as the ball got bigger, we had to use an enormous amount of upper body strength - it provided a great workout."

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The pair, both aged 19, approached 3M New Zealand for tape, and the company was delighted to donate Scotch Packing Tape for the record attempt.

Elsa Waldin, 3M Product Manager says 3M was glad to be part of this project.

"3M was pleased to help Alexis and Ben out by donating Scotch tape for them to use. It isn't everyday that people try to break a world record and 3M are proud to have sponsored this Kiwi world record breaking success."

The tape ball was made by winding Scotch tape continually round itself to make a ball which increased in diameter and circumference as more tape was used.

Ms Fletcher admits that they did face challenges along the way.

"We dropped the ball numerous times on our feet which was incredibly painful and we both accidentally taped ourselves to the ball and it was a bit tricky trying to get unstuck."

The two students are now looking forward to a well earned rest before taking on any more unusual challenges.

ENDS

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Alexis and Ben