Success For Unicyclists

The New Zealand Unicycle Team (Team NZUNI) celebrated its most
successful campaign at the 13th Unicycle World Championships in
Langenthal, Switzerland, with a Gold medal in the Unicycle Road Race.

Ken Looi became the first ever New Zealand rider to win a title at The
World Championship event, with a 1hr 41min ride in the 43km Marathon
Road Race, almost a minute ahead of world hour-record holder Patrick
Schmid of Switzerland. Tony Melton was the second New Zealand rider
home in 5th place. Looi also won Silver in the 10km road race, and
Silver in the cross-country Mountain-Unicycle (MUni) event. Melton
won Bronze in the Downhill MUni race, despite a 15 second time penalty
for a rule infringement.

Over 900 Unicyclists from 26 countries competed at the ten day event
in Langenthal, Switzerland. The Unicycle World Championships and
Convention (UNICON) is held every two years. It is the Olympics of
Unicycling, with events ranging from Artistic Freestyle,
Mountain-Unicycle (MUni), Track Races, Unicycle Basketball and Hockey,
and Road Racing. The New Zealand Unicycle Federation is campaigning
to host to the event in 2010 or 2012.

Ends