Friday February 29 2008

FAST-FLEECING TASMANIAN Shell Walker, 29, from Carrick, competes in New Zealand’s greatest wool industry contest today, Golden Shears 2008.  
Walker, a former Trans-Tasman woohandling test competitor, was up against Kiwis Talia Holm, Myra Collier and Hayley Holm in the heats of the Open Woolhandling Event.
She looked good on the floor with some fine throws and lightening speed in the sorting.
Speaking after the action, Walker said she was happy with her performance and a close finish.
“I was pretty happy just to keep up. At home there’s only five lines but here there’s eight or so,” she said.
A line is a sorting term referring to the grades of wool coming off different parts of the sheep.
Walker said it was her second Golden Shears, she first competed as part of the Australian Team in 2006.
‘I was only a junior then but I jumped up into the open. I don’t have that excuse anymore though!”
Fellow Tasmanian state team member Mel Morris made the Australian team for the Golden Shears Trans-Tasman Woolhandling Test so Walker decided make the trip to support her. And get in a little competition of her own.
While Walker didn’t make the Open Woolhandling Final, Morris competes in the test tonight along with Debbie Chandler.
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 0064 21 488 137 or 0064 27 5788 137.