The race is on to see who will be crowned the winner for this years Dragons Gauntlet. WGC takes a brief look at some of the races on Saturday - not brave enough to predict a winner - but certainly brave enough to predict exciting races. |
Will Whitmore and Sam Orgee Open
  Will hasn't raced in X Training event since, Hampshire. If a race was based on dance moves and performing the crab whilst having consumed considerable amounts of alcohol - then due to Will's experience and the ability to leap frog turnstile and landing perfectly, Will may of had the edge! Unfortunately for Will, the very experienced Rugby playing history of Sam - may well indicate that similar practices may have been performed on a equal footing. It may just come down to who has the racing ability on the day.
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Sam Saunt and Nicky Humphrey Intermediate
  Sam and Nicky raced at Fitness Extreme. There was 30 seconds separating them at the end result, with Sam the winner. Thirty seconds may sound a lot, but it is less then three seconds per discipline - it was neck and neck all the way. At the press ups there was only one second in it. At the box steps there was only four seconds separating them. That's how it was throughout and both girls will have another blistering race at Dragon's.
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Mark Drury and Jeff Leigh Open
  Mark and Jeff go back a long way, they train at the same gym (Fitness First, Luton) and to say there is a bit or friendly rivalry here would be a slight understatement. Both want to win. There is a slight advantage in Mark's age, but Jeff's continued determination to push himself, will mean that for these two, the race is not about who wins - but rather who has to take the flack in one of their training sessions for the next year!
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Francis Walton and Mikki Skingsly Open Masters
  The first time that these ladies have raced head to head. Francis a former bodybuilding champion certainly has the physique of a well toned athlete and years of being a Personal Trainer put her in good stead, but Mikki has the training partners of Nik Kandola, Jason King, Nelson and Amber Anderson and that is an awesome combination - and add to that frequent visits to Gary Nicholas at Calso, then this kind of even things up a bit. They have both won at this level in previous races - you can be sure this will be a superb race.
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Nik Kandola and Andy Lett Open
  This has to be one of the races of the day. Nik's return to X Training, from an absence that included having babies and moving houses means that he is here on a mission. Nik lost out last year in the final of another X Training event by one second. When Nik is on form - he is a fearsome opponent. Having said that, the very capable Andy Lett - is a superb athlete - anybody who can hold a 28 minute plank certainly has that something special. I think it's fair to say - what both these guys have in common, is that they are both incredible performers and a shining example of what good X Training athletes are all about.
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Rebbeca Roberts and Sally Cooper Intermediate
  Rebecca's improvement over time is obviously influenced by her partner Steve Dowse. Good training will bring good results and Rebecca is performing excellently in all the events she does. A performer in this years Best of the Best, Rebecca has slowly caught the X Training bug and now faces the very capable and charming Sally Cooper. Sally is a manager for Life Of Leisure Fitness Club and has the likes of Sam Orgee and Phil Rawle to help guide her in training.
Performing constantly in the X Training Grand Prix -Sally currently 5th and Rebecca 8th. Rebecca and Sally could make up some valuable points when one of them win on Saturday.
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Hayley Powell and Sarah Connoly Open
  Hayley is a serving Firefighter in Hampshire. Due to her career, as often as possible she turns up to compete in X Training events. Determination and perseverance ensure respectable times and always a 100% committed performance. Sarah trains from Calso in Kent, under the guidance again of Gary and Becky the petite frame of Sarah astonishes the eye to her actual capabilities - and that includes doing 3000 sit ups non stop for charity. Both athletes will have an awesome day.
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Kirk Gibbons and Steve Regan Watts Masters
  Kirk is the ultimate athlete, well rounded in all aspects of the fitness profession, a Personal Trainer with a string of professional sports people on his books. A tough twenty years boxing and now competing at the highest level at X Training. Kirk is firing on all cylinders at the moment with his recent victory at Fitness Extreme and wanting more then ever another victory. I suspect Steve Regan Watts will share similar thoughts- as a local Personal Trainer will be a worthy adversary. Steve on home ground, with local support and a string of victories in recent years in X Training will be wanting to put on a brave show at Dragons. This will be a close fought race - with the winner to be sure to get the warmest congratulations from the other. They have known each other years and have equal respect for one another and are good friends.
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Stuart Leng and Simon Cox
  Stuart is the voice of X Training. At so many venues over the years he has kept tight control of the race days - ensuring as much as humanly possible, that each athlete gets to the race on time, is kept informed of each others progress during the race and keeping the crowd informed too. Stuart is also a very capable X Trainer and is responsible for introducing Sam Orgee to the sport. The annual migration to train at Club Le Senza is a favorite for the X Training community which Stuart organises. A much prized asset to the sport and hugely respected.... Simon commutes from Spain to take part in X Training events. A family man who is passionate about his training and has the physique to prove it! Quietly spoken, confident and always the time to talk to you. Stuart and Simon will no doubt give an outstanding performances and without sounding too disrespectful, as both these entrants are at Veteran level - a inspiration to those that are just starting the sport and realising for the very first time, how hard it is at the top level.
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