It’s a narrative not unlike that of the Jamaican bobsled team.

An athlete preparing for a sport that takes place in the north American winter, training in tropical heat with not a flake of snow in sight.

The Iditarod is the biggest sporting event in Alaska; an annual long-distance sled dog race across 1,500 kilometres, seeing teams race through blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds.

Mackay’s Christian Turner was an unlikely late entry in the 2023 race, but the circumstances around his entry meant gave him a very good chance for success.

At 18 years old and living in Sydney at the time, Mr Turner moved to Canada where a love for snowboarding transformed into a passion for snow dog sledding.

“I got interested in the racing side of things and did a bunch of races in Canada, and decided that I wanted to do the big, long-distance races in Alaska,” Mr Turner said.

He undertook the intense qualification process required to enter the Iditarod and entered his first “last great race” in 2014.

Finishing the course in 11 days and four hours and placing 38th, Mr Turner said the experience was cold and brutal.

But it only fuelled his love of the sport; returning in 2015, Mr Turner finished the race in a career best nine days and 16 hours, placing 15th.

It looked to be his last Iditarod until, eight years later, a unique opportunity presented itself when friend and three-time Iditarod champion, Mitch Seavey, injured his back and was unable to race.

“There’s only a couple of people in the world who are qualified and good to go so he got in contact with me and asked if I wanted to take his team,” Mr Turner said.

With the dogs already in Alaska, there was only so much training he could do in Mackay.

“As soon as I found out, I was hard into my cardio, running Mount Pleasant Hill and riding my bike about 10 kilometres every morning,” he said.

“A lot of the trail is snowy mountains where you’re helping the dogs up the hills, running beside the sled, kicking on the flats; the fitter you are, the easier it’s going to be for the dogs.”

Mr Turner then made the trip to Alaska, training with the dogs before embarking on his third Iditarod and his first in eight years, with a team that came with great expectations and unique challenges.

“Looking after the team is the biggest thing, because you’re out there in minus 40 and you’ve got to make sure they’re getting the right intake of food and make sure they’re wearing the right winter clothes,” he said.

“You’ve got to have a rapport with the dogs; them understanding you, understanding you’re the boss and knowing you’re not going to put them in a situation that they can’t handle.

“My team caught a virus about 500 miles in and basically, for the rest of the race, I was just trying to make it to the end.

“I went from sixth position back to 18th very quickly just because they weren’t eating.

“The race was over for me midway, so I was just trying to care for the dogs and make it to the end.”

Once the dogs were healthy again, Mr Turner persevered, clawing back to finish the race in 10 days and one hour, placing 13th.

“It was quite mentally draining knowing I had such a good team, and, without the virus, I think I would’ve been right up there,” he said.

Regardless of the result, Mr Turner said it was good to back in Alaska where the reception was glorious.

“At the start of the race, you’ve got thousands of people throughout the city having barbecues and cheering you on,” he said.

“It’s a big party, really.”

A builder in Mackay with a young family, Mr Turner said he has no real urge to recommit to the Iditarod but if a similar opportunity were to present itself, he wouldn’t be able to say no.

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Mackay builder Christian Turner finished 13th in the “last great race on earth”, the Iditarod, in Alaska in March. Photos supplied: Christian Turner

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After two successful seasons, the Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane Senior Tournament (formerly the Brisbane Premier League) is expanding throughout the state for its third iteration, welcoming the Mackay-based Great Barrier Reef Rays.

The Rays are one of two new teams to be added to the 2023 season, alongside the Eastern Comets Adelaide All Stars, with the tournament pitting 10 Senior teams against each other in two pools of five.

“Growth of the Brisbane competition was always on the Century Cricket roadmap, so it is very exciting for us to be expanding into regional Queensland,” said Stuart Giles, Chair of Century Cricket Group.

“We’ve always had a focus on showcasing regional talent in the competition, and by including a regional team such as the Rays, we get to see more of this than ever before.

“Century Cricket Brisbane 23 promises to be a fantastic season kick-off to a summer of cricket.”

Known as the best regional cricket ground in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef Arena will be the official Rays headquarters, with General Manager Adrian Young saying the Rays have strong aspirations to provide a pathway for regional cricketers from the North.

“We have high hopes and spirits even higher, and we’re eager to take our first steps towards making a mark in Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane,” he said.

“With determination, hard work, and unwavering community support, the boys from the Reef are ready to embark on an exciting journey towards becoming a fierce contender in the competition and are here to prove that talent from the north can compete with the best in Brisbane.”

Nominations to play in the Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane Senior Tournament are now open, closing on Friday, April 28, with the season to start in August.

For more information, visit brisbanepremierleague.com.

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Pioneer Dolphin, Ella Bounden, travelled to the Gold Coast this past week for the Australian Age Championships.

You will remember this budding star from a recent article.

Ella did her club proud swimming the 50m backstroke amongst the best of the best at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.  

Whilst she described her event as not going to plan, she still managed a personal best.

She loved the experience and looks forward to swimming at Nationals again next year.  

Congratulations Ella – you have inspired so many in your Club to reach for the stars!

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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A Mackay Christian College (MCC) student set a box jump record at City Fitness earlier in the year while completing school-based training sessions.

Standing at around 162cm, John Morano jumped 1.2m to set the record, a record that has since been matched albeit by much taller athletes than he.

13 students participated in the sessions across six weeks facilitated by Steve Eden of City Fitness Health Club.

“Students were measuring heart rates before and after training to see what effect training would have on that,” Mr Eden said.

“The classes we were doing were functional classes and one of those functional classes included box jumps and that’s when John set that magnificent height of 1.2m.

“He’d done a complete circuit as well, so he was already fatigued, and the athletic ability to be able to jump 1.2m is unreal, and at his height is just a huge athletic achievement.”

John, currently completing year 12, said he enjoyed the sessions as they pushed him to reach his goals.

“I had a goal to reach the rim of a basketball hoop,” John said.

“It was pretty good, just the feeling of it when you jump.”

MCC Sports Coordinator Sheril Buchanan said students looked at the components of fitness for the unit.

“They completed their first lot of tests and did the strength and conditioning unit and then they tested at the end of the unit to see if there were any improvements in those components of fitness,” she said.

“The box jump is a power component of fitness, so this is one where John improved.”

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John Morano (right) jumps with freakish ability, setting the box jumping record at Steve Eden’s (left) City Fitness. Photo supplied

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Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders hosted the Slade Point Rugby club at home on Saturday in front of a good home crowd.

It was a first half battle for both teams, neither giving an inch in attack nor defence, with Slade Point repelling four attempts by the Raiders to cross the line and coming close themselves on a number of occasions.

Half time saw the scoreboard reading nil all with 40 mins to go and it wasn’t until the 49th when Raiders left wing Rhys Ward got a pass from the base of a ruck in our own 22.

Ward put the foot down to get past his opposite number, side stepping the cover defence and flying down the sideline before a little kick chase to get around the fullback and came away with the first try.

A great individual display of his skills, converted by Niall Clancy and the raiders led seven-nil until the 57th.

Slade Point crossed the line and made the score 7 all and the game was again in the balance until Raiders’ fullback Jack Briskey crossed the line in the 65th, taking it to 14 -7.

The 74th minute saw the Slade boys cross the line again for a 14-12 scoreline.

It took the Raiders until the last five minutes of the game to show some ascendancy and put another two on the board to end the game as a 26-12 hard fought win.

Raiders sit top of the MRU competition table and head into the game against Moranbah Bulls at the Sportspark this coming Saturday.

And next weekend, the Sportspark will hold the Anzac triple-header, an expanded competition on Saturday, April 22.

Featuring six clubs – Moranbah Bulls, Kuttabul Boks, Whitsunday Raiders, Mackay Cities, Brothers Mackay and Bowen Mudcrabs - there will be plenty to look forward to over the three games, in what is no doubt one of the biggest game days of the season.

Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence

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The Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders had a tough-fought win against Slade Point last weekend

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The week started off with Tuesday Ladies Day at Airlie Beach Bowls Club where a brilliant display from Tony Whitehorn and Rhonda Lloyd had the highest winning margin.

Tina Schubert and Sandra Argo were the second big winners after progressing to the semi-finals with a surprising win over Ladda Purdie and Elaine Hadlow.

Wednesday afternoon’s Jackpot Bowls was won by Mens President Peter Barrett as skipper with Keith Bates at lead and Rick Galea.

The men were runaway victors for the money, and Stacey Hadlow went home with the prestigious Health Hub Award.

Friday afternoon saw the resumption of the final of the Men’s Triples which was brilliantly won by John Fielding, Russell Jackson, and Manny Isgro.

Saturday and Sunday had home and away games for Division Four, with Division One playing Proserpine at home on Saturday with an overall team win of three points but losing two games.

On Sunday at Sarina only Mannys team won but the other two teams went down gallantly.

Division Four travelled to Seaforth and won one and lost one, but lost on aggregate.

At home on Sunday against Mackay the Division Four team bounced back with a big win and the second team faded for a draw but got the points 4.5 to .5.

Divisions Five played at Sarina and lost but made amends with a great result on Sunday against a strong South Suburban club, 46-32, just losing on one rink but a huge win on the second.

Division Six also won on Sunday, 39-29, with one team just going down but a wonderful win for John Askew’s team.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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On Wednesday at Proserpine Bowls Club plenty of players from Airlie Beach took the chance to have some grass practice ahead of upcoming Symons Shield and Pennants.  

Tina Schubert, Wendy Pomeroy, and Joan McGrath defeated Bruce Uhe, Alan Pershouse, and Noel Crosbie 22–11 in the first game of the week.

Meanwhile, Lyn Graham, Elaine Kippen, and Heather Brown defeated Henny Tattam, Vicki Spann, and Carol Crosbie, 20-14.  

Jim Bownds, Mike Harrison, and Philip Brown drew 22 all with Alen Sanderson, Pat Bownds, and Warren Wilson.

On Saturday, Division Five Pennants played Airlie Beach at Proserpine, with Proserpine winning one of the two rinks and winning the match 40-24, scoring four match points plus 16.  

Division One played Airlie Beach at Airlie Beach, with Proserpine winning two rinks but losing the match 58-55, winning two Match points minus three.

On Sunday Division One played Souths Suburban at Proserpine with Proserpine defeated on all three rinks, earning no Match Points with a minus of 52.  

Division Five played St Helens at St Helens, with Proserpine losing both rinks, winning no Match points, and with a minus 30.

In Competition games played this week, Club Championship Singles saw Shane Kinnear defeat Marcus Craig, 25-14, and Scott Hamilton defeat Harry Craig, 26-9.  

In B Singles, Toby Craig defeated Bruce Uhe, 25-3, and Isaac Elliott defeated Todd Leys, 25-7.

In Social play on Sunday afternoon, Lindsay Park, Heather Brown, and Mike Harrison defeated Alen Sanderson, Heather Brown, Grahame Kinnear, and Mary Hedgelong, 23-10.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

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On Sunday at Wangaratta Bowls Club four games of triples were played – each quite close.

Winners for the afternoon on account of ends were Deb Retchless, Laurie Land, and Graeme Read who drew with Kevin Baxter, Robyn Stitt, and Barry Beel.

In other games Bill Myers, Isobel Wheeler, and Kennedy Whitton defeated Deb Beel, Kent Moriarty, and Kevin Jewell, while Denise Wallace, Penny Warren, and Mark Drummond defeated Gwenda Lydom, Linda Scells, and Greg Colquhoun.

The final game was won by the team of Merle Elphinstone, and Lyn and Geoff Danvers, who defeated Irene Laird, Sue Shearing, and  Pat Tracey.  

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Wednesday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stableford event sponsored by the club, with Ladies’ winner on a countback Penny Stewart, 39 points.

Women’s runner up was Trish Sellen, also 39 points, while Men's winner was Jeremy Chrzanowski on 38, runner up on a countback Kevin Clark, 37.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by the Original North Australian Hotel.

Ladies’ winner was Carol O'Connell, 37 points, runner up Helen Fellows on 34.

Pin shots to Penny Stewart, Carol O'Connell, Judy Atkins, and Julie Martin who also won the Car Wash voucher.

Men’s winner was Kevin Cross, 43 points, runner up Scott Pearce, 40.

Pin shots to Malcolm Martin, Rhyce Layton, Graeme Baker, and Ben Fellows, with Malcolm Martin and Craig Van Veen both with OBP's.

This weekend's competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Margaret Whyte. Don't forget to wear purple, Marg's favourite colour.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Ladies’ Saturday winners Carol O'Connell and Helen Fellows

Allen Roberts edged out Wilf Herweg on a countback in Tuesday’s Stabelford at Proserpine Golf Club.

Both men carded 39 points and were followed in third place by Jim Cochrane on 38 points, while NTPs were won by Allen Roberts and Len Booroff.

The ladies teed up for the Wednesday Stableford in fine numbers, with Trish McNeill the winner on 39 points ahead of 20 other competitors.

She was closely followed by Pauline Redpath on 37, and Beryl Nosworthy in good form on 34 points. Toni Clauss, Trish McNeill and Ann Gardel were the NTP winners.

Aaron Prosser and Adam Tester were back on the winner’s podium for Division One and Two, respectively, in the Thursday Stableford.

Nathan Holohan runner up in Division One on 39 points, and Brent Daniels in third place on 37 points.

Russell Reardon also played well with a handicap equalling 36 points, beating James Devery on a countback.

NTP winners: Steve Mitchell, Adam Maggs, Gavin Kerwand and Trish McNeill

George Steane shot a par round to win the 9-Hole Met Run on Friday afternoon, carding a very nice 22 points.

Troy Smith betting his handicap to shoot 20 points beating Billy O’Connor on a countback. Paul Gray and Tom O’Brien were the NTP winners.

Saturday’s event was a nett competition, Diane Chard led the ladies in with a very nice 71 nett, beating Mandy Patterson on a countback.

Tiina Randmae came third, only one shot back on 71 nett.

Sherri Meade and Pam Harrison won the two NTP’s up for grabs, while the men’s field was divided into two divisions, with Vincent Collins winning on 66 nett.

Jon Miller shot a one under par round to finish in second place on 67 nett, and Jason Bourke was in third place on 68 nett.

Division Two was won by Jack Paroz on 64 nett, followed by Billy Ruddell on 66 nett and Mark Cranston in third place also on 66 nett.

NTP winners: Pat Camm, Steve Kelly, George Steane, and Rod Wecker.

John Clark was on fire on Sunday to win the Club Stableford with a scorching 42 points, three ahead of second placed Nathan Holohan, and Ken Granger one back from second on 38 points.

Aaron Prosser was the NTP winner.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Club Pro Shop

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The Mark Nicol memorial ambrose was held on Sunday for Whitsunday Social Golfers who arrived in force, with a field of 26 players vying for the trophy.

With a nett score of 60, the Trophy was claimed by Pam Casey and Lew Tuck, with runners up on 63.25 were Elise Hodgson and Chris Bartlett, and in the rundown Jason Bourke and Clay Coles came in on 64.5.

They were closely followed by Pauline Redpath and Dean Kercher on 64.75.

Nearest the Pins went to the teams of Caly and Jason, Lew and Pam, Dean and Pauline, Tiina Randmae and Jo Moynihan, and Mark Rutherford and Mark Callaghan.

Longest drives were claimed by George Meharry, Don Cameron, Penny Wardroper. and Linda Wardroper.

The Bradfords went to Scott and Linda Wardroper.

The Club extended thanks to the Reef Gateway Hotel for support each week of prizes and sustenance.  

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

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Whitsunday Social Golfers Pam Casey, Lew Tuck, and Elise Hodgson

Another warm one out there this week for Proserpine Veteran Golfers who continue to get good numbers despite the heat with ten ladies and 23 men out on the course.

On the full 18 holes, John Oates took out first place with a great score of 39 on a countback from Wilf Herweg, 39, and Jimmy Cochrane on 38.

Lyn Muller was the ladies’ winner with 35, Jan Shuwalow 34, and Paula McQuat 31.

Pin shots went to Ken Granger and Steve Mitchel on two, Wilf Herweg, and Steve again on eight, Gary Scotford and Phil Luckett on 13.

Lyn Muller and Jan Shuwalow on two, Lyn again and Tiina Randmae on eight, Elspeth Scotford, Jan Shuwalow, and Paula McQuat all in the hole on 13.

Next Tuesday there will be no competition at Proserpine Golf Course as the Club heads to Home Hill for the Whitsunday Veterans Competition.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Proserpine Veteran golfer Lyn Muller

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A young Proserpine State School Student has been selected to play Basketball for North Queensland and he is thrilled to see all his practice and training has paid off.

Jamie Henderson is 12 years old and began playing Basketball last year with the Next Stars Sports Academy in Cannonvale.

He participated in the Whitsunday Trials last year and since then he has used every spare moment to practice and fine-tune his skills.

“Everyone thought I should play basketball because I am so tall for my age,” said Jamie.

At 179 centimetres he is the tallest kid in his class, but his height was just the impetus to try the sport, it is his talent on court that got him noticed by the scouts.

Jamie’s dad, Nick Henderson, said that while other players are cocky on the court, his son is cool and calm.

“He always picks the most arrogant player who thinks he’s ‘all that’ and then he just hounds him and never lets up until he’s got him,” said Nick.

“He never loses his cool or reacts when other players having a go at him, he just ignores them!

“He can also slip into any team and play really well – I think these are the reasons he caught the judges eye.”

Jamie participated in the trials three weeks ago and was part of a team of 10 boys and 10 girls from Proserpine State High School who went to Townsville to vie for a place.

He was the only boy to be selected.

For his next event Jamie will head back in Townsville in May for a four-day tournament where 10 players will be selected to be play for Queensland and if he is successful, he will travel to a major competition in Perth.

Jamie was born in Shepperton Victoria and moved to the Whitsundays eight years ago.

A talented Power Forward, Jamie said he loved attending the trials and that it was awesome to compete in a bigger setting with four basketball courts playing at the same time.

Back in his local town, Jamie can be found at the Cannonvale Basketball Courts between three and four times a week, where he plays for two hours each session.

When asked what advice he has for other aspiring sports players he said to never give up.

“If you don’t make it the first time, just keep practicing, it’s about trial and error,” he said.

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Year 7 Proserpine State High School Student, Jamie Henderson, has been selected to play Basketball for North Queensland. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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The inaugural Genesis Cup round for Airlie Beach Darts Club was held on Sunday morning at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club after the Easter break.

Plenty of players went into the weekend in fine form, with Round 1 having valuable Premier League points on offer before the remainder of the competition -- a dog fight to the end with the eventual winner claiming the second trophy of the year.

It was a fantastic day of darting action from start to finish, with Jamie Woods hoisting aloft the Genesis Cup for the first time.

The Club extended thanks to its sponsors: Mika Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach, and Master Butchers Whitsundays.

Genesis Cup Results Round 1

J Maher def H Rick 7/2

G Robbie def A McMinn 7/5

J Wilson def S Rose 7/3

J Woods def A Peel 7/2

J Lloyd def K Reason 7/4 (Rd5)

Quarter Finals

J Maher def K Reason 4/2

J Wilson def G Robbie 4/0

J Woods def A McMinn 4/1

A Peel def J Lloyd 4/2

Semi Finals

J Maher def J Wilson 4/3

J Woods def A Peel 4/3

Final

J Woods def J Maher 4/0

180’s x 1 - J Woods

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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Jamie Woods claiming his second trophy of the season at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club on Sunday

Outrigger Whitsunday has introduced a new session to its calendar where up to 18 new paddlers take to the water at each session – to enormous success already.

The new weekly Friday afternoon outrigger paddling is halfway through its first six-week social programme and is a great way for business owners, retirees, and visitors to explore the Whitsundays’ amazing back yard.

The friendly team environment is a fun way to exercise with no pressure to paddle at a competitive level, and it offers a unique way to experience the culture of an outrigger canoe.

“These new sessions are a terrific way for anyone to get out on to the water at a time when they may not ordinarily be able to,” Outrigger Whitsunday member Michelle Lynes said.

“It’s been extremely rewarding to watch new friendships being made as each member works together to get ready for the session and take our big canoes down to the water and then successfully learn how to paddle.

“Some sessions bring out the singer in the group, other times we watch the local wildlife or learn how to work with the different conditions that Mother Nature brings.”

The club also offers a social paddling time on Saturday mornings with bookings for either are essential.

Meet at Shingley Beach Fridays 4.30pm for 5pm on the water; Meet at Shingley Beach Saturdays 7am for 7.30am on the water.

Contact the club on their Facebook page or Michelle on 0421 159 852

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Outrigger Whitsundays has launched a six-week social programme for beginners to come and give the sport a go