Ulverstone sprinter Abby Chapman broke through for her third – and arguably best ever – St Helens Gift win.
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The 27-year-old had found motivation to draw on at a favourite venue amid a long campaign this summer.
“It’s always nice to win a Gift, especially at the end of the series like this, as you start to get a bit tired. But it’s good to hold it together and finish the season off well,” Chapman said on Saturday.
“I’m really happy – it’s probably the best season I’ve ever had.”
The Gift run had revived memories of her historic first sash in 2009 before claiming another in 2012.
But the Launceston-based doctor believed getting to the finish line has left her numb.
“I’m just starting my third year out of Uni and I’m trying to get into anaesthetics,” Chapman said.
“It’s difficult to juggle between work and training, but I think it’s important to have a good work life balance.”
Burnie’s David McCrae upset a host of contenders, including former Stawell Gift winner Andrew Robinson, to take home the men’s Gift.
The St Helens 120m race win proved to be the John McClaren-trained athlete’s biggest win of his career.
“It’s the first big Gift that I’ve won after winning over 400m before. It’s good to finish the season off with some prizemoney,” McCrae said.
Launceston favourite Robinson had started off the back mark of 3.75m.
Hobart cyclist Simon Price turned the clock back when the exuberant 45-year-old crossed the line first in a tight men’s Wheelrace.
“We all just rode as hard as we could and it went well for me. There was a bit of push and shove, but we got through in the end,” he said.
“I’ve had wins in Launceston and Hobart before and this would be up there.”
Courageous rider Jessie Sawyer put behind the misfortune of crashing in the criterium at Burnie on New Years Eve in the women’s St Helens Wheelrace.
The 29-year-old flew home late and only hit the lead metres from the finish line.
“I just had to put the pedal to the metal today. This is just another reason for St Helens to be my favourite carnival of the season,” Sawyer said.