Friday February 29 2008

SHED MATES Jo Ammundsen (left) and Fiona Christensen go head to head at the 48th annual Golden Shears in Masterton today.
The Wairarapa pair worked together all season and teamed up to win the Women’s Woolpressing Pairs Event in a well-fought final against fellow Masterton pressers Hinetawirirangi Biddle and Dana Hill. 
But when it came to the Women’s Woolpressing Single Finals they cranked the presses against one another.
“This is where the hard yards are done,” called the commentators.
“Back in the day they said that women couldn’t press wool…they said you needed a man with the big shoulders but just look at these ladies!”
Ammundsen was in the lead halfway through the final when she began to show signs of fatigue, breaking for a spell on the crank to sweep away some loose ends.
Reigning champ Christensen overtook her mate with a display of enormous speed and strength on that was very impressive.
The final ended with the competitors closing the bales almost in unison but with Christensen finished first in the end.
After judging she came first on the podium too, but said it wasn’t easy getting there.
“Jo, that was my toughest final yet,” she said.
The local contingent also made a good showing in the Mens Woolpressing Pairs with Masterton brothers Jeremy, Warwick, Vinnie and James Goodyer pairing off in the final with Jeremy and Warwick in first place followed by their siblings in second.
Reigning Mens Woolpressing Singles champ Jeremy Goodyer then did it again, beating Lee Paku of Masterton to retain his title.
The Golden Shears kicked off yesterday and runs to Saturday March 1.
The event sees competitors from New Zealand, Norway, Australia, the UK, Ireland, and South Africa battle it out for the top titles.

For a full programme and live video action see www.goldenshears.co.nz.

For free images or further information contact the Golden Shears Media Group at goldenshears@pete.co.nz or phone 021 488 137 or 027 5788 137. International callers phone 006421 488 137 or 006427 5788 137.