Poole Audi Hex-treme 2004 crown siblings the champions

For the first time ever, siblings have won the UK’s most challenging and innovative sports event, Poole Audi Hex-treme. Brother and sister, Richard and Tisha Vail, took the top spots in the Poole Tourism six event multi-sport competition on Sunday 12th September.

Richard, from Wimbledon, repeated his 2002 and 2001 victory to beat last year’s winner, Colin Dixon from Hayling Island, who came in third position. Richard Hobson from Bradford-on-Avon who was awarded second place.

Tisha, from Thames Ditton, won the women’s competition for the second time beating Samantha Lawley from Chichester and Rosemary Gibson from Fawley, who came in second and third place respectively in the competition.

Richard and Tisha competed against 30 men and 11 women athletes respectively, and raced the six legs of 15km off-road cycle, 500m swim, 1000m kayak, a triangular sail and windsurf course, and 5km run across Whitecliff Park and Sandbanks beach. The high calibre of competitors, many of which are qualified instructors in the various disciplines, illustrated their vast experience in triathlons, biathlons and the London Marathon, and a total of 60 points was allocated to the winner for each discipline. Richard walked away with a total of 282 points and Tisha with 314 points.

Following all the action, winners were presented with a Poole Audi trophy, cash prizes, three-month Fitness First memberships, and Cotswold Outdoor vouchers.

Tisha said; “I’m amazed and delighted to have won Poole Audi Hex-treme for the second time. The competition was tough this year and this made the event a great challenge, however just as much fun to compete in. I’m pleased that Richard managed to regain his title this year. It definitely helped having him as a fellow competitor as we could give each other advice. Since a young age I’ve always had an interest in water sports whilst Richard wanted to concentrate more on cycling and triathlons. A few years ago we started to try out each other’s sports and as a result we gained the different skills needed for the six-sport Hex-treme event. It is from our combination of abilities that led us to be consistent throughout the race and I believe this is the key to our success!”

Seven sports clubs assisted with coordinating the event, including Rockley Watersports, Hamworthy Outdoor Education Centre, Poole Wheelers, Bournemouth Canoes, RNLI Beach Rescue, FC Watersports, and Poole Runners.

Graham Richardson of Poole Tourism said; “Congratulations to all who competed and the 2004 winners. Each year the calibre of competitor definitely grows and the fourth Poole Audi Hex-treme was an incredible contest for both entrants and spectators. We wish to thank Poole Audi for sponsoring the event and the individual sports organisers and helpers who put in a great deal of time and effort to make the event such a huge success.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:
2004 Scores
Men
1st – Richard Vail, Wimbledon (2004, 2002 & 2001 winner) 278 points
2nd – Richard Hobson, Bradford-on-Avon 268 points
3rd – Colin Dixon, Hayling Island, Hampshire (2003 winner) 228 points
4th – Nick Keast, Sidmouth, Devon 206 points
5th – Mark Anderson, Hinkley, Leicestershire 194 points
6th – Hugh Sims Williams, Bristol 192 points
7th – Jonathan Monk, Hersham, Surrey 183 points
8th – Richard Kenyon, Poole, Dorset 172 points
9th – Dave Whitcombe, Aberdeen 160 points
10th – Martin Tiffin, Poole, Dorset 145 points
10th Chris McSweeny, Powick, Worcester 145 points
11th – Michael Crisp, Poole, Dorset 138 points
12th – Nick Jeffery, Bristol 125 points
13th – Simon Derham, Chertsey, Surrey 114 points
13th – Craig McGhee, Sherborne, Dorset 114 points
14th – Malcolm Pridmore, Somerset 113 points
15th – Phil Sanger, Chichester, West Sussex 111 points
16th – Alex Hinton, Poole, Dorset 109 points
17th – Ian Brown, Bournemouth, Dorset 108 points
17th – Nick May, Barnstable, Devon 108 points
18th – David Johnston, Hindhead, Surrey 98 points
19th – David Hinsley, Bournemouth, Dorset 94 points
20th – Ben Abel, Woking, Surrey 89 points
21st – Nick Savva, Poole, Dorset 72points
21st – Martin Kerslake, Poole, Dorset 72 points
22nd – Richard Blow, Poole Dorset 63 points
23rd – Stephen Merchant, Siddington, Gloucester 53 points
24th – David Lane, Cirencester 40 points
24th – Dave Skye, Harpenden, Hertfordshire 34 points

Retired – Jon Brooke, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Women
1st – Tisha Vail, Thames Ditton, Surrey (2004 & 2003 winner) 314 points
2nd – Samantha Lawley, Chichester, West Sussex 280 points
3rd – Rosemary Gibson, Fawley, Hampshire 242 points
4th – Sarah Frymann, Poole, Dorset 222 points
5th – Rachel Wilson, Bournemouth, Dorset 204 points
6th – Alison Monaghan, Poole, Dorset 202 points
7th – Sandra Charles, Poole, Dorset 194 points
8th – Claire Bowen, Blandford, Dorset 190 points
9th – Sarah Noble, Poole, Dorset 168 points
10th – Karen Gent, London 152 points
11th – Leila Clerc, Poole, Dorset 144 points