Jan/100
Rye House
Critics who have questioned the selection of Stefan Ekberg for the Silver Ski Rockets’ 2010 team may need to reconsider their initial view.
Yes, the North Star’s fitness for the new campaign could be considered the “Big If” following a horrendous 2008 crash at Kings Lynn which brought serious back injuries and a sidelining for the whole of 2009 - but the latest evidence is happily more positive.
Rye promoter Len Silver recently invited Stefan and his family to La Plagne in the French Alps just to see for himself. Every day, he skied with Stefan - a more than accomplished downhill skier – both on and off piste in some very challenging terrain, to check for signs of fatigue and stiffness. Len is delighted to report that Stefan demonstrated that any back problems are completely cleared, while he is equally confident that the Swede’s clearly fearless approach to the mountains will transfer itself to his attitude on the shale. He passed the “test”, as they say, with flying colours.
Meanwhile, in England Len's son Andrew is helping to prepare Stefan's machines so that the Swedish star can start practicing in February.
Another on the pre-season fitness trail is the “Bowen 747” Luke Bowen, who is jogging daily and attending the gym to ensure he hits the ground running come the opening challenge meeting against Leicester on Saturday, March 20th.
And to ensure that the Rye House National League team is not left out of the equation, we can report that the Cobras’ newly appointed skipper, David "Magic" Mason, has been on a weight loss programme and is now down to his best racing limit of only nine and a half stone. He has also invested heavily in new equipment in a determined bid to return to the top heat leader standard that he previously enjoyed. Says the former League Riders Champion, "I am determined that both Kyle Hughes and Jamie Smith will have their work cut out to remain above me in the averages. I feel fitter than I have for five years, and I really want to lead the team from the front to help gain some silverware for the fans.”