The Rock’s Annual Wife-Carrying Competition 2007

14 February 2007

The Rock’s Annual Wife-Carrying Competition
2007

Sam Ryburn wins his wife’s weight in beer!

The Annual Wife-Carrying competition took place on a perfect Valentines’ morning at Mission Bay in Auckland this morning. The conditions were idyllic with the glassy sea framed by Rangitoto Island in the background.

As the tide went out, contestants carried their wives in and out of the water, through an obstacle course designed by The Rock’s Morning Rumble team.

It was an entertaining race featuring returning champion Alastair and stunt wife Jimmy as non-finishers. They had a weighty disadvantage with Jimmy dressed in a heavy dress and wig!

Fiercely contested first place went to Wellsford couple Sam and Kelly Ryburn who took out the grand prize – Kelly’s weight of 60 kg, in beer! Sam Ryburn attributes his win to “strict training involving lots of beer and pies for me and my wife.”

The Ryburn’s were followed closely by Wayne and Julia Eade of Christchurch and Angus and Marg Martin of Otorohonga. The Rock’s Jono Pryor and “stunt” wife Jen gave a good effort finishing in last place.

Wives were carried in a variety of ways, the favourite this year being the traditional fireman’s hold. This resulted in a fair bit of head dunking going on as couples entered the sea as part of the obstacle course.

The couples enjoyed dinner and a night in a hotel last night and a post race brunch to re-energize after their hard Valentines Day workout this morning.

ENDS