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SCOTTSDALE'S Harry Summers may not have gone down the Ringarooma River during Saturday's Derby River Derby, but he was still a winner.
The nine-year-old won the apple-bobbing contest, a competition that the announcer declared the longest he had ever seen.
One parent even suggested that their child should drink the water in the bucket as that would be the quickest way of getting his teeth into the apple in the bottom of his bucket.
As concern grew about the length of time contestants heads were under water chasing the elusive apples, Harry emerged, face and hair dripping with water, with an apple firmly between his teeth.
The apple bobbing was just one of the land-based activities at the iconic derby, itself now part of the 10-day North East Rivers Festival.
Festival director Lynden Russell said that he remembered the apple bobbing from his childhood visits to youth camps.
``Children just love crazy challenges and the apple bobbing is no exception,'' he said.
``The tug-o-war also caused a few laughs, especially when the women's team beat their male opponents, but tripped over backwards after claiming victory.
``Unfortunately, the Zorb ball celebrity challenge didn't happen Dorset Mayor Barry Jarvis was there, but Michael Ferguson had to get ready for his derby race - maybe next year.''