Ultrarunners Seriously Injured In Australian Brushfire

SleepMonsters.com is reporting that four ultrarunners competing in the Kimberly Ultramarathon were seriously injured by a brushfire last Friday.  Apparently, runners Kate Sanderson, Turia Pitt, Michael Hull, and South African Martin Van Der Merwe were caught in a canyon when the fire started, with each of them sustaining serious, and in the case of the two women, life threatening injuries.

The event, which is put on by Racing The Planet, took place in the northern region of Western Australia and featured a course 100km (62 miles) in length. The Kimberley Plateau is well known for its remote and rugged terrain, featuring steep canyon walls and twisting gorges. Dry weather conditions likely helped contribute to the fire.

The four athletes who became trapped by the flames were forced to try to out run them as they quickly engulfed the small gorge they were traversing at the time. As a result, Sanderson and Pitt have suffered burns to 60-80% of their bodies, and both are listed in critical condition in Darwin hospital. Hull and Van Der Merwe escaped with 10-20% of their bodies burned, and while their conditions are not as dire, they remain in the hospital as well.

Such a sad story, and lets hope the two ladies pull through. Living in Austin, Texas, I have an understanding about how bad these wildfires can be at the moment. They spark up unexpectedly and spread very quickly, bringing a lot of destruction in their wake.

Keep your fingers crossed for these athletes.

Solo Sailing Update: Laura Dekker Arrives In Australia

Last week, 15-year old Laura Dekker achieved two major milestones in her attempt to sail solo around the world. First, it has now been a full year since she set out on her epic journey to become the youngest to sail around the globe, and perhaps more importantly, she safely arrived in Darwin, Australia, having successfully crossed the Pacific Ocean.

You may recall that Laura garnered a lot of attention when she first announced her intentions to circumnavigate the globe on her own at the age of 13. But before she could get underway, the Dutch government stepped in, with child protective services investigating her plans and whether or not she was ready for such a big adventure. That process took some time to complete, but eventually she was allowed to sail, and at the age of 14 she was able to hit the open water at last.

Since that time, she's been making slow, but steady progress around the globe, first crossing the Atlantic Ocean, then navigating through the Panama Canal. The Pacific was her next major obstacle, and with that now behind her, she'll be setting her sights on the Indian Ocean and eventually the Suez Canal. But for now, she plans to enjoy some good old fashion Aussie hospitality for awhile.

According to her blog, Laura arrived in Darwin last Friday, August 25, and while she is in good spirits, and her ship, the Guppy, is fine, the final approach to land wasn't great on her sails. The course took her across the Van Dieman Gulf, where the winds tore her main sail to shreds, which will keep her on land for awhile. She plans on staying at least through the weekend, when she hopes to use a borrowed boat to compete in a local regatta.

For now, it is time to rest, resupply, and repair the Guppy. The trials and tribulations of the Indian Ocean await, and after that, home at last. But Laura has earned some down time before she takes on those challenges. I can't think of a better place to recuperate than Australia.

Another Beautiful Time Lapse Video

A few days back we had a beautiful time lapse video shot over the Canary Islands, and now we have a second one, this time from the southern coast of Australia. The images were shot over 31 total hours, spread out over six nights, and were then painstakingly put together in this video over the course of a year and a half.  The end results are simply beautiful.




Ocean Sky from Alex Cherney on Vimeo.

New Online Trail Running Mag Hits The Web

A newly launched online magazine entitled Trail Run looks to be a great new resource for outdoor athletes everywhere, despite the fact that the e-zine is focused on trail running in Australia and New Zealand. The first issue of the new periodical was released just a few days ago, and it is packed full of great information for trail runners, even if they aren't from Down Under. Best of all, the mag is absolutely free!

While Tail Run does show off it's geographical roots, many of the articles will be of interest to runners everywhere. For example, the first issue includes reviews of all kinds of gear that will prove useful on any trail, whether its in the Outback or the Alps. There are also practical articles about preventing chafing, long distance speed trekking, and more. That's not all however, as the issue also includes an excellent interview with Kiwi ultrarunner Lisa Tamati, who is gearing up for a 222km (138 mile) run through the Himalaya, and a look at the proper food and nutrition necessary to fuel a long distance adventure.

That's just scratching the surface however, as there is plenty more in the first issue as well. In fact, the .PDF file for Trail Run is a massive 65MB in size. In other words, makes sure you're reading it on a suitably beefy device, or you may find the experience a bit sluggish. Aside from that, I think you'll be very impressed with the quality of the writing and the overall product of the e-zine. The inaugural issue has set a high bar for others to follow, and if this first release is any indication, Trail Run has a bright future ahead of it.

Book mark the website and download the first issue now. You'll be glad you did.

Falling Out Of The Sky Never Looked So Good

One of my fellow contributors at Gadling posted the video below this morning. It shows some of the most tranquil and relaxing images of skydivers floating high above the Earth that you could ever hope to see. It was filmed by a team at the Melbourne Skydive Center in Australia, and it almost makes you believe that they are defying gravity rather than hurdling towards the planet at terminal velocity. It is a beautiful video and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



Experience Human Flight from Betty Wants In on Vimeo.

Gold Rush Mother Lode Adventure Race Joins AR World Series

A couple of weeks back I told you about a great adventure race called the Gold Rush Mother Lode that is scheduled to take place in California from September 8-11. At the time, I mentioned how the race was expedition length, but not grueling long, and that it was a very affordable option for teams that didn't have the time or resources to take pat in one of the longer races happening in North America this year. It turns out that the organizers of the Mother Lode have given us yet one more reason to put this race on the radar, as they announced over the weekend that they are now a part of the Adventure Racing World Series.

What this means for racers is that there is now a second ARWS qualifying event taking place in North America this year, the other being the Raid the North Extreme event which will be held in British Columbia this July. Those who do manage to qualify will be able to compete agains the very best teams in the world at the XPD in Tasmania this October. Traditionally, Untamed New England would also be a qualifier as well, but they've elected to take their show on the road to Switzerland this year.

This is just more proof as to how great 2011 is for both teams and fans of adventure racing. There are so many great events taking place this year that its hard to keep track of them all, and the AR World Series just continues to grow and become more prominent. The inclusion of the Mother Lode into that series is great for the ARWS and for teams looking to go to Australia later this year.

Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge Returns To Adventure Racing Schedule!

If you follow the various adventure racing posts that I write, you've probably heard me say that 2011 is shaping up to be the best year for the sport in some time. The calendar is full of great events all over the planet, and teams have a plethora of great options to choose from. They can now add one more to that list.

Last week it was announced that the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge is returning after a three year hiatus. As the name implies, the event will take place in the wilds of Australia's Tasmania, and will be hosted by F1 racer Mark Webber. This will be a five day, stage-race covering more than 350km (217 miles) that will run from December 7-11 of this year, and pit teams of two in three different classifications. Disciplines will included running, mountain biking, navigation, and paddling of course.

The race has lined up an impressive group of sponsors, not the least of which is Swisse itself. The company has committed itself to backing the race for three years, which means the Tasmania Challenge is here to stay for awhile. They're joined by Tourism Tasmania, LG, Red Bull, and others in getting behind this event.

Curiously, the Tasmania Challenge will overlap with the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, which has held down the anchor spot on the adventure racing calendar the past few years. While the two races offer different experiences, you can't help but wonder if some of the more prominent Aussie and Kiwi teams/athletes might stay closer to home to compete in this race rather than head to the Emirates to race. Hopefully there is enough room for both races to co-exist, but it is great to see so many options available.

8 Month Long, 6 Continent, Cycling Tour Annouced

Are you anticipating a little time off from work in the semi-near future? If so, you may want to sign up for the latest cycling tour announced by Pedalers Pub and Grille, an adventure travel company that specializes in cycling adventures all over the planet. In celebration of their 25th anniversary, the company has announced an epic ride that also comes with an epic price tag.

Dubbed the Once In A Lifetime Tour, this new option will send 30 lucky travelers off on an eight month long journey that will cross six continents and nearly 30 countries. The tour will kick-off in June of 2012 with a shakedown cruise in Vermont that will allow riders to get to know one another and get use to the rigors of the ride. From there, it's off to Europe, where they'll take a spin through France, Austria, Italy, and a number of other great cycling destinations. In the weeks that follow, the group will ride through parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America, experiencing some great destinations along the way.

The tour won't come cheap though. If you want to join the fun, you'll need to plunk down $95,000, which includes all of your transportation costs, accommodations, most meals, guides on the trip, and a custom built bike. While nearly $100k for a vacation is a lot of money, you really are getting a lot for what you pay.

For more information on the trip, including a complete list of countries, click here, and for a detailed look at the itinerary, click here.

The Green Way Up: From Australia to Norway on Biodiesel

Here's a cool project that was sent my way a few days back. It seems a group of Aussie boys have come up with the idea of driving from Hobart, Australia to Norway using nothing but biodiesel. Now that, in and of itself, sounds like a fun road trip adventure, but not necessarily all that out of the ordinary. But the four travelers don't plan on stopping at a single petrol station along the way.

Dubbed "The Green Way Up," the plan is to get underway in March from the southernmost tip of Australia and the project won't end until they reach the most northerly tip of Norway. Along the way, they'll cross through 30 countries and cover more than 45,000km (27,961 miles), making this the longest car trip on alternative fuels ever.

The aim of the project it to spotlight those alternative fuels and how important they are to the future of our planet. The four men built a special processor that can turn waste oil and animal fat into fuel to power their vehicle, so as they drive they'll be stopping at local places, such as restaurants and pubs, to collect their cooking oil and other products that can then be converted into fuel for the car. They're even building a biodiesel fueled boat to carry them from Darwin to Singapore, stopping off on islands in East Timor, Indonesia and Malaysia along the way.

The entire journey is being made into a documentary film that is expected to be released later this year as well. That film will not only cover the trip, but highlight important sustainable project that are being conducted on he local level along the way. The message is clear  – alternative fuels are important and viable for generating power and we need to find more ways to incorporate them into our lifestyle.

If everything goes according to plan, the journey will begin in just a few weeks time. Follow along with Oscar, Justin, Chuck, and Bob on the expedition's website once they hit the road.

Thanks to Jess for the tip on this one! :)



Green Way Up from Jo Melling on Vimeo.

Adventure Racing World Championship Preview Video

I've said it on more than one occasion, and I'll say it again. 2011 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for the sport of adventure racing with a number of fantastic events on the schedule. One of those events is the AR World Championships, which will be held on the west coast of Tasmania in Australia. That race will take place beginning on October 31st (Halloween! Seems fitting!) and will run through November 11, covering more than 700km (435 miles) in the process.

In preparation for the race, the organizers released a preview video to give us all a few insights into what to expect later this year. Check it out below.

Paddler Makes First Solo Descent of Australia's Fitzroy River

Aussie paddler Lachie Carracher has completed the first solo descent of his country's largest volume river, the 733km (455 mile) Fitzroy located in the remote West Kimberly region of Western Australia. The entire journey took six days to complete, with a number of obstacles to overcome, including raging Class V rapids, precipitous waterfalls, and crocodile infested waters.

According to Outer Edge Magazine, who named Lachie their Young Adventurer of the Year, the paddler  completed the expedition on Wednesday of this week. Once off the water, he immediately contacted his father and began to consider making another run on the Fitzroy, which is one amongst the top whitewater challenges in the world.

Making a solo descent of the river is no small feat. According to Outer Edge, the Fitzroy has an astounding water flow that measures 21 times that of the Colorado River as it passes through the Grand Canyon. That flow generates plenty of dangerously rough waters and lots of speed as well.

This is certainly an impressive first descent for any kayaker, and I want to join my friends at Outer Edge in extending a hardy congratulations to Lachie on a job well done. To read more about the paddler and his adventures on the Fitzroy, check out his website at Follow-The-River.com.

Jessica Watson Banned From Sydney To Hobart Sailing Race

Australian teenager Jessica Watson, who sailed solo around the world earlier this year, has been banned from a popular sailing race because of her age. Watson became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe on her own when she returned to Sydney, Australia in May.

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an annual event that routinely attracts a number of top sailors. In fact, the website says that they had 102 applications for this year's race, which will get underway on December 26th at 12:30PM local time. The race has a strict age requirement however, and because of that rule, Jessica won't be allowed to compete. Race officials have mandated that all competitors be at least 18 years of age at the start of the race, which means Watson will have to wait until next year.

According to this story from SyFy.com, Jessica had hoped to set sail in the 66th iteration of the race with a crew of other teens and young sailors, who would get to join in on her latest adventure, which is considerably shorter than her last one. The Sydney to Hobart sail usually takes about three days to complete, although it is through treacherous waters that have caused accidents in the past. Back in 1998 an accident claimed the lives of six men, which was the impetus for the age limitation to begin with.

It is a bit ironic that a young woman who sailed solo around the world isn't allowed to compete in this race, but I applaud the race organizers for sticking to the rules and not allowing any exceptions. The race will still be there next year, and Jessica can enter than. I'm sure she'll be accepted and give a good showing for herself.

Freya Hoffmeister Talks Paddling Around Australia on Video

Freya Hoffmeister has earned the distinction of being named Canoe & Kayak magazine's Adventurer of the Year. In case you've forgotten about Freya, she's the woman who circumnavigated the entire continent of Australia in a kayak. The journey took her 332 days to complete, covering more than 14,000km (8700 miles). In the video below she talks about that journey, mentioning that she just always tried to keep Australia on the left and just kept paddling. It is a pretty amazing feat for sure and the video offers some insights into what it was like for her.

The 7 Rivers, 7 Continents Expedition

Adventurer Mark Kalch's next big project is his 7 Rivers, 7 Continents paddling expedition, in which he will attempt to paddle the length of the longest rivers on each of the seven continents. Having already knocked off one of those rivers, he says he figured he might as well "man up and finish the rest."

Back in 2007 and 2008, Mark was part of an expedition that paddled the length of the Amazon River, covering more than 4300 miles. The Amazon, which stretches across South America, is the longest river in the world, and quite a challenge to navigate, but the other rivers that are waiting for him will each offer their own unique challenges as well.

The list of rivers he intends to paddle include the following:

Nile River (Africa) – 6650 km (4132 miles)
Yangtze River (Asia) – 6300 km (3916 miles)
Mississippi-Missouri River (North America) – 6275 km (3912 miles)
Volga River (Europe) – 3645 km (2266 miles)
Murray-Darling River (Australia) – 3370 km (2904 miles)
Onyx River (Antarctica) – 40 km (25 miles)

According to ExWeb, who brought this story to my attention, Mark will use a variety of watercraft to make these descents, including kayaks, white water rafts, and even stand-up paddle boards, depending on the type of water he is encountering at any given time. They also estimate that it will take him anywhere from 4 to 6 months to complete each river, so obviously this project will keep him busy for the next few years.

Each of these rivers will have a very different feel, and I've been fortunate enough to have been on four of the seven. The Nile, for instance, will be long and and hot, without much to see other than desert for much of its run, although it will be quite a ride to get things started. On the other hand, the Mississippi will keep him in the middle of civilization for the vast majority of the duration, with plenty of places to stop and rest, get a good meal, sleep in a comfortable bed, and so on. The experiences are going to be dramatically different, and this should be a fun expedition to follow for that alone. 

Anyway you look at it though, this is going to be a series of epic paddling adventures. Even the short, 25-mile long Onyx in Antarctica will have its share of challenges. Can't wait to read the updates!

Plastiki Project Completes Pacific Journey

The crew of the Plastiki, the boat that was built almost entirely out of 12,500 recycled bottles, has completed its voyage across the Pacific, arriving in Sydney, Australia today. The ship set sail from San Francisco back in March, and now, 130 days and 8000 nautical miles later, the journey is done.

The ship, and the entire project, is the brain child of environmentalist David de Rothschild, the founder of Adventure Ecology. He came up with the concept more than four years ago, and after going through all the planning and design phases, it was the realization of a dream to see the ship set sail at long last.

The voyage was made to help raise awareness of the impact of plastic, and other man made elements, on the environment. Along the way, the Plastiki and her crew paid a visit to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a section of ocean the size of Texas where garbage from around the world has collected and created one giant mess of plastic and other junk.

Joining de Rothschild on the four month long journey were Skipper Jo Royle, Co-Skipper David Thomson, Olav Heyerdahl, Graham Hill, Luca Babini, Matthew Grey, Max Jourdan, Singeli Agnew and Vern Moen. Each was an integral part of the crew with several members working on putting together a film of the journey. It should be a interesting one to watch once it is complete, as I'm sure it'll have quite the commentary on health of our oceans.

Congrats to the entire crew of the Plastiki for completing the voyage. Well done!

Climbing Videos Are Always Better WIth Cheesy 80's Music!

Looking for a little mid-afternoon distraction. Then be sure to check out this great climbing video that comes to us courtesy of Cedar Wright, who recently went on a bit of an adventure with his mates James Pearson, Matt Segal, Heidi Wirtz, Rob Frost, and Jason Singer Smith to scout out the climbing scene Down Under. What they found was some amazing opportunities in Tasmania, and they captured it all on video. Then set it to some of the greatest, and by greatest I also mean cheesiest, 80's music ever. Enjoy!

Australia Climbing Adventure_THE MUSICAL_Total Eclipse from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.

Solo Sailing Update: Abby On A Slow Boat To Somewhere

A few days after being rescued in the Southern Ocean, Abby Sunderland remains aboard the French fishing ship, the Ile de la Reunion, and is currently bound for the Kerguelen Islands, a small chain located in the Indian Ocean. After that, she'll be transferred to another boat, and for ten more days she'll be making her way to a small island near Madagascar. After that, it is still up in the air, but she is slowly making her way home.

It appears that Abby's journey is over, and the Wild Eyes will not be repaired as was previously thought. The boat has been left adrift in the Indian Ocean, while her captain departed on the large fishing ship, where she has been sending updates to her blog from time to time. There isn't a whole lot to report really, just that she is happy to be headed home, and grateful for all of the efforts that were put in to rescue her. She has sent out a number of thank you's to those that scrambled to ensure that she was alive and well. Abby hasn't spoken to the press at all yet, although they have apparently been trying to reach her about the ship, but the French captain and his crew, have been running interference for her, and so far no one has gotten through.

Meanwhile, Abby's family has responded to some of the criticism that has been leveled their way in the past few days. In a post on her blog, they have written a response to the claims that Abby was sailing too far south, and across the Indian Ocean too late in the year. They also address the rumors that they were filming a reality television series called Adventures in Sunderland.

Yep, you read that right. Apparently at some point there was a reality television series in the works about the Sunderland family, which consists of mom and dad, and seven kids, although an eight child is due any moment now. The press got wind of this show a few days back, and that has fueled speculation that the whole solo sailing journey that Abby and her brother Zac have undergone is purely for monetary gain. Perhaps the parents were even pushing them into it or at the very least, allowed them to go so they could make money. But the deal apparently is long dead, and there is no show in the works. In fact the studio involved is even in trouble for failing to pay back taxes, so at this point, it seems the rumors of a television show are false. What the future holds is still a mystery.

Finally, the Australian Search and Rescue team was hoping to get the word out that they did everything the could to help Abby, including chartering a commercial jet to fly over her last known position, and despite all of that, they are not asking the family to pay for any of the efforts. Apparently the word on that hadn't been widely reported, and the Aussie government wanted the world to know that they didn't put a price tag on helping save Abby. Good to know. And I'd expect nothing less from the wonderful people from Oz. :)

Blackheart.com.au Wins XPD Australia Adventure Race

The 2010 XPD Australia, taking place in Cairns over the past week, is over, with BlackHeart.com.au crossing the finish line in first place after more than seven days of racing. They were joined on the podium by McCain Adventure Addicts of South Africa and Team Merrell/Akali, a mixed team from France, New Zealand, and Canada, in second and third place respectively.

The expedition length adventure race challenged teams of four to run, trek, mountain bike, paddle, and navigate their way through some of the most challenging backcountry that Queensland, Australia has to offer. The athletes found themselves in kayaks on wild whitewater rivers as well as the sea, while they hiked through rainforests and biked challenging single track.

The winning team reached the finish line several hour ahead of the second place finishers, but it was not as easy as it would seem from just glancing at the leaderboard. Team Orion Adventure was at the front of the pack, pushing Blackheart hard late in the race, but that outstanding team was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury to one of the team members when they were on the final leg of the race.

Congratulations to BlackHeart.com.au on an outstanding race. To find out more about the XPD, head over to Adventure World Magazine, where they've followed the events much more closely than I have this past week. They've even posted a very good profile on McCain Adventure Addicts, a team that recorded their best finish ever in an International race.

Solo Sailing Update: Jessica Finishes Tomorrow!

For a number of months we've been following Jessica Watson and Abby Sunderland as they both have attempted their daring solo circumnavigations of the globe in the hopes of becoming the youngest to achieve that goal. Both of these remarkable young ladies are just 16 years old, and both have had quite the adventure out on the open seas. But now, one is closing in on the finish line, while the other takes a break for some much needed repairs.

The biggest news at the moment is that Jessica is now just hours away from completing her solo sail around the world. She is expected to arrive in Sydney, Australia sometime tomorrow, with thousands of well wishers on hand to welcome her home. Jess began her voyage back in October, and hasn't stepped foot on land since, but she is now looking forward to meeting friends and family when she sails into the Sydney harbor tomorrow.

Of course, there is already some controversy brewing around the completion of the journey, or at least at any records she would hope to claim. The World Sailing Speed Record Council has already said that they would not recognize her as the youngest to sail around the world, as they have a strict policy that those who attempt that journey should be at least 18 years old. But perhaps more importantly, there are some who say her voyage wasn't long enough to be considered for any speed records either. Jessica's route is some 2000 miles shorter than what is a typically considered for those kinds of records, and while she did go above the equator, as the rules for these types of expeditions require, she didn't spend much time in the Northern Hemisphere.

Still, the question is does it really matter? I'm guessing it doesn't mean a think to Jess, who is completing this journey for herself and for the epic adventure. She may not go into some of the official record books, but she finished what she set out to do, regardless of what some of the old sea dogs think about her route.

Meanwhile, Abby Sunderland reached Cape Town, South Africa last week, and has spent several days there having her boat checked out. She limped over to Africa thanks to a failing autopilot that has been giving her problems almost since her voyage began. Divers have also inspected her ship, the WIld Eyes for damage, and while they found a few minor things, there hasn't been anything significant to repair. They did clean out some sea weed from the prop, which may have been causing minor engine issues, and they've patched some scratches on the hull, but nothing significant has been discovered.

Abby's brother Zac has been spending time with her in South Africa, but is heading home today. Zac completed his own round-the-world sailing trip last year, inspiring his sister to follow in his wake. With the repairs done, and Zac headed out of town, Abby will now wait for a weather window to return to the sea. She expects that to happen on Tuesday, so soon she'll be back out on the water as well.

Because she stopped for repairs, Abby is officially out of the record books as well, as these solo circumnavigation attempts are suppose to be non-stop. Regardless of that rule however, Abby is actually younger than Jessica, and probably wouldn't have been officially recognized for her achievement either. The course she selected is longer however, and will probably fulfill the requirements in that area at least. Abby has reiterated however that she is not doing this for records either. She is doing this for herself and will continue on her voyage despite having to stop for these repairs.

You certainly have to admire the adventurous spirit these two young women have. I want to congratulate Jess for finishing her journey and wish Abby well on the next leg of hers.

Outer Edge Magazine Announces Aussie Adventure Awards

Australian outdoor adventure magazines Outer Edge and Wild has announced the winners of their annual Adventure Awards for achievement in the calendar year of 2009, with a host of worthy recipients getting recognition.

Some of the winners include mountaineer Andrew Lock, who earned the Solo Adventurer of the Year award. Lock became the first Australian to climb all 14 of the 8000 meter peaks after he topped out on Shishapangma back in September. Simon Carter took the Best Adventure Photograph of the Year with these stunning shots from the Blue Mountains. Jon Muir was inducted into the Adventure Hall of Fame for his illustrious career that includes visits to the Poles, a summit of Everest, and much much more. Other categories included Best Adventure Film, which went to Beau Miles for a movie based on his attempt to paddle around the Horn of Africa, and Adventure Destination of the Year, which went to the very deserving Yukon Territory of Canada. For a complete list of winners click here.

On a related note, I wanted to mention that I'll be collaborating with the good folks over at Outer Edge in the weeks ahead. It is a great magazine that covers a lot of the same topics that I do, including everything from mountaineering, backpacking, adventure racing, and more. I'm sure this collaboration will result in some great adventure stories from Down Under, a country that practically thrives on adventure, and I hope to make a good contribution in return. Happy to be a part of the team guys! :)