IT’S FUN CLIMBING A HUMAN LADDER
Participants of the Gov Games form a human ladder on Kite Beach in Dubai on Wednesday. Sixty-two municipal, federal and international women’s teams had the first crack at the giant obstacle gauntlet on the first day of the games with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, on hand to cheer them on.
dubai — They came, they saw, they conquered. Sixty-two local, federal and international women’s teams had the first crack at the giant obstacle gauntlet on Dubai’s Kite Beach on Day 1 of Gov Games 2.0 on Wednesday.
And they had a very special spectator cheering them on: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
Sporting a grey shirt, black jogging pants, white cap and sneakers, Sheikh Hamdan was seen giving instructions to his F3 women’s team on how the tackle the Power Drainer challenge.
Two of five F3 team members successfully completed the obstacle that required jumping from one hanging platform to the next. F3 women’s team topped Heat 1 of the games on the day, with the Ministry of Education team coming second and Dubai Tourism third.
Ollie Turton, coach of F3 women’s team, told Khaleej Times: “I trained my team as if they were men. Everything was difficult and it was their first time to participate in the games. I came early on Wednesday and had a prior look at the obstacle course and gave them a few tips.
“I also told them to stay calm. I was super chuffed that one of them managed to earn extra points by hanging upside down in one of the obstacles. ”Before the sun set, a gentle breeze and slight drizzle engulfed the beach and the action was set in full gear.
Hundreds of women participants came jumping, swinging and crossing barriers to avoid dropping into a pool of iced water. They also formed a human ladder to help their teammates get past an eight-metre-high inflatable and carried weight blocks to reach the end of the section.
They crawled through tunnels, getting past cargo nets and crossing bungee gauntlets.
Mental agility was required as well as focus, confidence and some mathematical problem-solving skills. Upper and lower body strengths were tested but the most important element was teamwork that helped them through the nine obstacles.
Leanne Miles, team manager of the Ministry of Education, said: “We were in the finals last year but unfortunately the climbing wall defeated us. We came back here to finish our unfinished business.
“After last year, we were aware that tactics are important. Where possible we tried to plan ahead, use the team members as best as we could, play to our strengths, rest people and mix up the team,” added Miles, who missed out on the action this year as she is pregnant.
I trained my team as if they were men. Everything was difficult and it was their first time to participate in the games.”
Ollie Turton, coach, F3 women’s team
We were in the finals last year but unfortunately the climbing wall defeated us. We came back here to finish our unfinished business.
Leanne Miles, team manager, Ministry of Education
“Upper body strengths and climbing are our main strengths so we’ve tried to focus there. We’ve tried to prepare for the Human Ladder. Last year we were the only team to complete it. And we’re back to win it.”