CAN A WOMEN BEAT THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD?

 CAN A WOMEN BEAT THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD? LAND ROVER G4 WINNER TO ENTER THIS YEAR’S WATERFRONT RUSH - BUT A POTENTIALLY CONTROVERSIAL NEW GENDER-BASED TIMING SYSTEM MEANS THAT HE MIGHT LOSE THE PRIZE TO A WOMAN.  KNYSNA, 23 JUNE 2006.  South Africa’s Martin Dreyer, who beat finalists from 17 of the world’s top adventure racing countries to win this year’s Land Rover G4 Challenge in Laos and Bolivia, has announced that he’ll be in Knysna from 7 to 9 July - to enter and, he hopes, to win the Landrover G4 Waterfront Rush brought to you by Men’s Health Magazine. Martin will be challenging 24-year old powerhouse Hans de Raedt - who was the only entrant to beat the 4-minute barrier in the heats during the 2005 event and who went on to win the title in an exciting knock-out final. But this year, the men will be chasing the same prize as the women - and not in separate categories, either. “Repeatable scientific tests have shown that men and women can race against each other on a time-adjusted basis,” said Rush race director, Mark Collins, “so we’ll be applying the G-BAT System to decide who qualifies for the eight places in the final rounds.” The G-BAT System (Gender-Based Adjustment of Time) is rated according to the Power / Velocity ratio of the sport in question - and the PV Ratio determines the percentage which is taken off the women’s time to allow them to be compared with the men. “It could mean that Martin might have some unusual challengers if he makes it to the knock-out stages.” The semi-finals and the finals will be raced on two parallel but slightly different courses - one for men and one for women - which will share their start and finish lines. “That means that the first person over the line will be the winner,” said Mark. The Land Rover G4 Waterfront Rush - a popular part of the Pick ‘n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival - carries R10,000 in prize money, and this makes it the richest course per metre of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Described as a Multi-sports Challenge, the Rush involves canoeing (with a dry launch off an adjustable high tower), a ropes course, Hydro-Bronking and an over-the-water climbing wall. It should appeal to anybody with an average to high level of fitness and skill.  People who don’t want to race - but who still want to try the equipment - will be able to enter as Playtators in the times between heats. Competitors and Playtators (and Spectators who buy tickets) will be entered into a lucky draw to win a Fluid Kayak. Proceeds will benefit the Knysna Canoe Club’s Development Paddling Team.  Enter online at www.magneticsouth.net. ENDS 462 WORDS