Mixed results for Kiwis on shearing champs’ opening day

Pagan Karauria in the French All Nations Women's final at the start of World Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling championships week in France. PHOTO/DOUG LAING SSNZ

Busy Allflex New Zealand shearing and woolhandling team member Pagan Karauria had to take it right on the chin as she was beaten in the French All-Nations Women’s Shearing Championship final in France yesterday (early today NZ time).

First to finish the six-shearer final of 10 sheep each on the opening day of the 18th Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling in Le Dorat, and appearing comfortably-placed to win with a comfortable buffer on time and board-judging points, she was heavily penalised by the pen judges and had to settle for 4th place overall.

Karauria thought she had done much better but appeared relaxed about the outcome as she came away from the roasting-hot day with top place in the All Nations Open woolhandling heats, the prelude to her World title bid at the weekend.

Teammate Sheree Alabaster failed to make the top eight, but is likewise most focused on the World title.

Geraldine blade shearer Alan Oldfield qualified in 6th place for the All Nations bladeshearing championship semi-finals, headed by reigning World champion Mayenzeki Schweni. But top New Zealand hope Tony Dobbs, of shearer just failed to qualify for the semi-final and is also left to focu solely on Waorld titles hopes.

The women’s shearing final was won by Eleonore Resneau, one of three frenchwoman in the final.

Uniquely, she has won in New Zealand, claiming a Senior title at the Kaikohe Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Show in January 2018.

The final was held just before the opening formalities, a parade of the representatives of 34 countries around the venue before an hour of speeches in front  - a rapturous crowd of more than 2000 in the huge steel-framed marquee-stadium as more than 150 competitors on-stage fanned themselvrs with national flags on an afternoon in which the temperature passed 32degC..

RESULT:

Women’s final (10 sheep): Eleonore Resneau (France) 14min 49sec, 57.25pts, 1; Aubane Nardetto (France) 12min 39sec, 60.85pts, 2; Anne-Lise Haugdahl Hunstad (Norway) 14min 31sec, 61.85pts, 3; Pagan Karauria (New Zealand) 12min 28sec, 64.2pts, 4; Pauline Bolay (Canada) 14min 23sec, 65.85pts, 5; Jalle Resneau (France) 13min 41sec, 69.45pts, 6.

ENDS