Overcast skies did nothing to dampen
the spirits of the competitors or spectators at the annual IPMBA Competition,
held at Eldorado Park in Scottsdale during the 15th Annual Conference.
On the creatively designed course laid out by Officer Chet Anderson of the
Scottsdale PD bike unit, the 58 competitors rode over, around, and through
a variety of challenging obstacles of the type most have previously only
imagined.
Laid out in an oval surrounding a busy skate park - which provided its own
entertainment for the competition spectators - the course began with a set
of 12 steps, followed by a quick sprint across a grass field. The competitors
then dashed up a dirt embankment and across a concrete pad, making a sharp
right turn and descending into the "Rock Garden." After negotiating the
challenging embankment, riders were required to make another right turn,
and almost immediately, climb a set of about 10 steps. Then it was down a
few steps and a dash across open ground, where three railroad ties awaited.
These were overcome in a variety of ways, including a bicycle "long jump"
by one of the Aussies. On through the now infamous patch collector, over
the teeter-totter and onto the final challenge - a modified lock-to-lock
- and finally, the finish line.
Despite the several spectacular crashes, as a testament to the great skill
displayed by all the competitors, no one was seriously injured and the stand-by
ambulance stayed put.
For the first time in noted race history, two competitors finished together
when the second racer caught up to the competitor in front in the final cone
course. Would it have made a difference in the final standings? Only Team
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie #2 and Team Enchantment, finishing less than three
seconds apart, know for sure! It was an unfortunate situation, but the
competitors handled it with grace and professionalism, for which the competition
coordinator will be eternally grateful! Future competitors take note: it
won't happen again.
Congratulations are due not only to the winners, but to every competitor
who faced the challenges presented by the obstacle course - everyone should
proud of their accomplishments.
Speaking of accomplishments, they were celebrated in style at the
post-competition dinner and awards ceremony, held at the beautiful Scottsdale
Galleria Atrium. As the mariachi band played, Honey Bears BBQ served up plate
after plate of classic Southern barbecue with all the trimmings while the
Miller Lite girls poured liquid refreshment. Medals were awarded to all
competition winners, and the raffle prizes from the Special Olympics drawing
were handed out. Suddenly, an auction broke out. Grant Reatherford, fast-talking
Tennessean and Williamson Medical Center EMS cyclist, grabbed the microphone
and the cash started flying. The winners went home with lighter wallets and
all kinds of cool stuff, and the Special Olympics reaped the benefits.
Everyone is invited to join the fun for what is sure to be another great
conference and competition, May 6-13, 2006, in Dayton, Ohio.
2005 IPMBA Competition Results (times noted in minutes)
EMS Team
1st Place: London Ambulance - 8:46.53
Tom Lynch, LAS
Paul Davies, LAS
Sean Clarke, LAS
Pat Andrews, LAS
2nd Place: Guilford EMS - 10:57.98
Ed Gaskill, Guilford EMS
Mike Hudspeth, Guilford EMS
Wren Nealy, Cypress Creek EMS
Jeff Taylor, Cypress Creek EMS
EMS Male under 30
1st Place: Wes Odom, Surprise Fire Department -
1:47.67
2nd Place: None
EMS Male 30 - 39
1st Place: Tom Lynch, London Ambulance Service -
1:33.37
2nd Place: Mike Campbell, Williamson Medical Center
EMS - 1:56.23
EMS Male 40 +
1st Place: Eldon Karratti, Los Angeles Fire - 1:53.37
2nd Place: Sean Clarke, London Ambulance Service
- 2:30.24
Police Team
1st Place: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie #2 - 6:42.03
James Tennent, New South Wales Police
Brett Barnes, New South Wales Police
Darren Conradi, Queensland Police
Jon Thompson, Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Police
2nd Place: Team Enchantment Team - 6:44.65
Wallace Downs, Las Cruces Police
Patrick Hernandez, Albuquerque Police
Lance Shepan, Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office
Rob Peterson, Las Cruces Police
Police Male under 30
1st Place: Eric Garza, Prince William County Police
- 1:54.57
2nd Place: Brendan Schlegel, Bethlehem Police -
2:57.39
Police Male 30-39
1st Place: Brett Barnes, New South Wales Police
- 1:29.47
2nd Place: Patrick Hernandez, Albuquerque Police
- 1:32.25
Police Male 40 +
1st Place: Jim Roy, Topeka Police - 1:32.83
2nd Place: Clint Sandusky, Riverside Community
College Police - 1:40.23
Police Female under 35
1st Place: Tammy Kilgore-Alois, Coconut Creek Police
- 2:47.44
2nd Place: Amber Matthews, Tyler ISD Police - 2:52.48
Police Female 35+
1st Place: Tammy Shoemaker, Huber Heights Police
- 2:52.08
More Stories from the 2005 IPMBA
Conference...
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