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| | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Tributes to Nigel Aylott, adventure racing legend . . . |
The saddest day in Australian adventure racing history as we all have to come to terms with the death of Nigel Aylott in the Subaru Primal Quest race.
AROC was leading the race, racing closely with Montrail, and Nigel was out in front when the accident happened. So typical of him!
So many people have had good times with Nigel, and have been stuck by his enthusiasm, energy and passion for what he loved doing.
He was an integral part of team AROC who have just been rising up and up in the last few years, and have not an enemy in the world. What an awesome bunch of mates - talented, friendly enthusiastic - and what a tragedy for them.
Lets remember him for the amazing guy he was - share stories, tributes etc | | |  Rosemary King
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | A loss for words |
I had the opportunity to race with Nigel in Explore Sweden when we put together a \"hodge-podge\" team of other teams. I wish I got to know him better, but what I do remember was a guy who enjoyed the world in which he was in, was down to earth, and full of energy. A sad loss...
Chris Koch
Team Spirit Canada | | |  Chris Koch
Canada | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel Aylott. |
I can\'t believe the news from SPQ that Nigel Aylott of Team AROC has been killed. I met him at Terra Incognita in Croatia this May and can\'t think of a more friendly and enthusiastic personality on the Adventure Race scene. Without a team he worked tirelessly to help anyone at the race, as he did again, I believe, in Sweden the following week. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. There is a piece of AR missing now. | | |  Nick Gregory
Devon
UK | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Leading from the front, doing what he loved, with some of his best mates . . . |
My enduring image of Nigel will be ones described to me by Louise at the recent XPD race, of Nigel running ahead of the rest of his team AROC and snapping photos, and then being more concerned in transition of being able to download them so he could continue to get more - all this while leading a 750km race though the outback! Nigel was an absolute legend, has anyone ever come across someone else with so much energy, and so much passion for what he did?! Still can\'t beleive its for real. thinking of Nigel, his family, friends and teamates from AROC. | | | Rosemary King
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | **** |
I am just stunned at this.
I met Nigel too when I was covering Terra Incognita for Sleepmonsters and he was a lovely guy. In fact I was just thinking that I\'d be able to get in touch with him again to congratulate him on a win if the team hung on to their lead.
Really shocking and terrible for his friends and family, and for everyone involved in SPQ. | | |  Jon Brooke
Buckinghamshire
UK | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | What can you say...... |
I\'m shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Nigel Aylott. My condolences go out to his family, friends and team. | | |
| | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | **** |
Nigel was a true Aussie in every sense of the word. Confident, passionate about sport, incredibly friendly and a bloody good adventure racer. I have been cheering him and his team on in PQ as they were doing so well and giving all the big names such a run for their money. On all the occasions I have met Nigel he was on top form, kidding and joking. In Croatia this year he didn\'t have a team so he just helped out and ended up having less sleep than if he had been racing. I\'m stunned, this seems so unfair.
| | |  Keith Byrne
Cumbria
UK | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Desde España |
Desde España, toda la familia que competimos en raids de aventura y muchos de nosotros amigos de Nigel, tambien queremos recordarlo por todo lo que hizo y los momentos que pudimos compartir con él. | | |  Monica Aguilera
Spain | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Adventure Racing Legend |
I dont think there are any words that can describe the loss the AR community feels at present. Our hearts go out to his family,freinds team mates and all those lives that Nige touched, a unique character who will be in our hearts and minds forever.
Steve Cooper | | |  Steve Cooper
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
Nigel, definitely remembered for been one of the most enthusiastic & energetic people you could meet. His passion & love for AR was contagious, I am grateful to have witnessed & shared this, as any of us who have come to know him through racing & life. My deepest thoughts go out to his family, friends & AROC.
Jay Wilson | | |  Jay Wilson
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | A Sad Loss |
I met Nigel at Explore Sweden earlier this year, where he was a volunteer, and was struck by his good natured enthusiasm and energy. He never mentioned his experience or accomplishments, and listened to the viewpoints of others first, before quietly offering his own.
I’ll always remember him on top of Mount Knebnekaise, where he was watching over the press who’d been flown up there to see the teams come through. He kept bounding up and down the summit snow slope - he just could not stay still, he had so much pent up energy. He desperately wanted to race, and luckily he did get the chance to join in later with a composite team.
I was looking forward to meeting up with him again at a race sometime and find it hard to believe that won’t now happen. I\'m glad I had the chance to meet him that one time though. My heart goes out to his family, team mates and friends. | | |  Robert Howard
Leicestershire
uk | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | a toast to Nigel |
Nigel was the understated gentleman of Australian AR. He was the sought of guy that not only a mother would love, but one who was instantly liked by anyone who met him. His enthusiasm for and down-to-earth approach to AR was unmistakable. All of Team Crank will be toasting Nige today with red cordial (his preferred race drink).
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, Team AROC and his friends.
Here\'s to Nigel! | | |
| | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel gone, I can\'t believe it. |
We heard the news last night via our network of outdoor friends. The phones will have been busy for hours, because Nigel was an amazing person, touched so many people, and so many friends and family here in Australia will be devastated.
Nigel was a selfless, caring person with a huge heart, he was always giving of his time, helping out in Vic Rogaining events, introducing people to the outdoors, turning up at dinky little races in between his massive epics, always squeezing so much out of life.
The last 2 years has seen him focus on the Adventure Racing internationally, and he\'s been able to do what he loves best.
No more will we hear his steamtrain breathing as he races past us, giving it his all.
So sadly missed by us all!
Peter & Nikki
| | | Peter Coffey
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | A big heart and a wonky helmet |
As an AR photojournalist, \'Nige\' was a nightmare. He hardly spoke, he always smiled at the camera and his helmet was always wonky - that\'s what we loved about him... Nige just didn\'t care. It took a few races to get \'Nige\' to even make a peep but soon we shared laughs and he stuck in my memory from our first meeting. In AROC tradition he was always smiling and I\'m sure he still is... passing-on doing what he did best... leading the worlds best in a discipline he truly owned, rogaining!
Let there be eternal checkpoints hidden in the clouds above, we\'ll miss you Nige,
Mark | | |  Mark Watson
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
I met Nigel at several races, but only really got to know him at Explore Sweden. One day he was a volunteer, then he was helping with ropes, then he was guiding journalists, then he was racing - and always smiling and laughing. He will be missed. | | |  Susan McKenzie
Quebec
Canada | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Messages posted here to go to Nigel\'s family |
Rosi asked me to pass on that all messages posted here will be given to Nigel\'s family.
Please do not hesitate to post your message of support and memories of this amazing adventure racer. Nigel will be sorely missed by us all. | | |  Louise Foulkes
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
I was Nigel\'s regular rogaining partner in the early 90\'s - we also went to primary school together. We had quite a lot of success although 90% of the time I thought I was really just chasing Nigel. His aim was always to complete the course and if this was not possible to get as many checkpoints as possible - even if this meant disqualification from getting back late. This happened many times even though we would have won by hundreds of points if we had just gone straigh back to the hash house. Nigel was never interested in \'good enough\' he always had to push himself to gain the best results at all costs. He will be sadly missed by all those who ran, rogained, orienteered, swam, biked, bush walked etc with him.
Mal Grimmett | | | Mal Grimmett
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Who\'ll tell us if our check points are wrong now? |
We couldn’t help but like Nigel from the start, unassuming and always happy to chat and offer advice. We have some great memories of him through the adventure races he has done in Australia. Always there racing in the top team, normally carrying the heaviest pack and running out front. He was also the anchor man of the Geocentric finish podium having stood at the number 1 spot in every race we have run. (He has won the 700km XPD, all three Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hrs, and a Teva Adventure series sprint race to name a few).
We will certainly miss the post race debriefs from Nigel, in particular him letting us know if check points are in the wrong spots even if it is by only 10 metres. When putting out check points we often grin at each other and ask, would Nigel approve of the accuracy and placement of this one?
We have other great memories which for us show his real character. Him with his MDs hat pulled down over his ears at XPD, him coming out in the middle of the night to help us to man a CP after winning the MD’s GeoQuest this year and after only 90 minutes sleep, the smile on his face in the XPD finishers lounge, his trusty blue Cannondale bike and lopsided helmet racing along, the jokes about finding him a wife, and the hundred’s of photos he took on XPD.
Our thoughts go out to his family, team mates, friends and everyone who has been touched in some way by him. Nigel, we will certainly miss you!
Craig and Louise
| | |  Craig Bycroft
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Farewell to a Legend |
What an inspiration to all of us. Nigel was a character that will be sorely missed by all the AR community. A true champion in every sense of the world.
Our thoughts are with family, & friends.
Farewell Nigel | | |  Brad Hetharia
Australian Capital Territory
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | A message from AROC |
I have just spoken to Alina and she thanks everyone for their thoughts and messages of support. AROC is actually a little overwhelmed at the enormous impact this has had on everyone and how rapidly the news has travelled back home.
Alina said everyone is coping in their own way at Primal Quest HQ. Certain members of the AROC team are quite pissed (on beer and pizza of all things) and are currently trying to organise a Nude Kickbike race in Nigels honour.
The race will resume at midnight tonight in a shortened form although AROC will not be competing. | | | Shane Russell
Australian Capital Territory
Australia | | | | Posted 22. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel - we\'ll miss you friend |
Stunned! Wildly stunned!
Can\'t believe you\'ve gone.
One memory I have is talking quietly with Nigel in the back of a bus at River Shimanto, Nakamura in 1998. He was pointing out the differences with Japanese and Chinese script - with a depth typical of his methodical, steady and tenacious nature. We also talked and joked about life, love and happiness.
Nige, you were always gentle, intelligent, funny, humble, life-loving and just a damn good bloke.
Love you, miss you, you\'ll always be in my heart
Diane
I have many fond memories of Nigel, though they will never be enough. His sensitive, thoughtful, analytical and generous nature coupled with an unbounded enthusiasm for life affected all those he shared time with.
I fondly remember a welcome lunch a few days before the 100km Worlds in Japan in 1998. Nigel thoroughly endeared himself to the local children when he borrowed a trumpet to jam with the school band.
Or him taking an afternoon off work to lead myself and other runners out of central Melbourne, along the riverside paths to Dandenong during the Trans Australia Race. Typical of Nigel, given little notice but only too willing to give of himself freely.
Nigel, your quiet reserve, gentle humour, diverse talent and steel determination will be forever missed.
I\'m off to run some trails we shared together, trails that you especially appreciated. You\'ll always be with me when I run there.
Love you
Paul
| | | Paul Every
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel, you leave a very big void |
generous, enthusiastic, warm hearted and utterly without pretension and guile... what a wonderful person. Nigel was a breath of fresh air and the perfect companion for an adventure. He enriched the lives of everyone around him, and certainly enriched my life.
Outdoor adventures will never be quite the same again
My sincere condolences to Mike and other family members.
adrian
| | | adrian sheppard`
Australian Capital Territory
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | A true inspiration |
I couldn\'t put it in words better than one of my teammates at Team Entropic ...
\"We have been blessed to have had such a gentle and modest champion of the sport to inspire us as we\'ve become involved in the AR scene. To me, he embodied the best qualities possible in an elite sportsperson - excellence in one\'s chosen discipline(/s!) without egotism or arrogance.\"
A recent experience just sums up Nigel in my eyes - at a CP providing support and advice for Entropic and our support crew as we transitioned for the second kayak leg at this years GeoQuest ... all after he had finished and won the race and with little sleep! An awesome racing performance on a tough course, and then straight back out there to help other teams and the organisers in any way he could.
Nigel - you will always be an inspiration ... | | |  Peter Hynd
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel - The Leader |
Nigel, I can’t believe you’re gone.
Your energy, care, and love for all that you did and all those who you knew seemed boundless. Few have I met with your talents – extreme brilliance in mind, body and spirit. You were a born leader. An inspiration.
Rogaining will never be the same. Indeed, I imagine all the endeavours you participated in will never be the same.
My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to your family, and to the team mates in AROC and Montrail who were there at your last stand. If you had to leave us now, I’m glad it was in the lead of the rogaining leg of an international event.
Missing you,
Chris
| | | Chris Solnordal
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel the leagon |
I can\'t beleave one of the GREATS is gone.I never had the pleasure of meeting Nigel.
But his reputation of being a absolute leadgen, serpased him as a man and went to the 4 corners of the AR world.
All of my hart goes out team AROC and his family and freinds....
Think of all the good times with a smile on your face, knowing that he was doing what he loved...
Forever a ledgen
Glenn Brown
Team Fitcore | | | glenn Brown
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Condolences from The Netherlands |
I never met Nigel, but I can say that the Dutch adventure racing scene is shocked by the loss of an adventure racing legend.
My sincere condolences to family members and friends.
Raymond Beeren
Dutch Adventure Racing Team | | |  Raymond Beeren
Netherlands | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | BYE MATE |
Its pretty tough to wipe away the tears & find adequate words at times like this....Whilst Nige\'s time here was tragically cut short the memories he has left with me will live close to my heart & last a lifetime.
Cheers Mate
Adam | | | Adam Conquest
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
Nigel was an amazing person who has left a deep impression on me and all who he came into contact with. He was always very happy to answer all my questions & requests for hints on various aspects of AR, it was a pleasure for him to help the little guys. It\'s rare to find someone who is so elite in their field to be so modest, approachable & friendly. Nigel I feel privileged to have known you, albeit briefly. My feelings
got out to family, team & friends.
Adrian
Qld, Aus.
| | | Garnett Adrian
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
Nigel - you have left the OZ AR community with very big boots to fill.
Always keen to give advice, assistance and encouragement to AR \'newbies\' - thank you! The low maintanence racer loved by all Support Crews, who else will not only eat anything a support crew places in front of him (despite it sitting in a pot for over 8 hours!)and then come back for seconds!
I am privileged to have known you, you made a difference. To your Family, Team AROC - Alina, Tom and Matt and friends, I am thinking of you.
Linda
Townsville | | | Garnett Adrian
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | The real local hero |
Nigel I never got to know you, expect from afar with awe in my eyes. Every event I entered or thought of entering...you won. Such an approachacble, amazing, dedicated guy. You\'re a role model to me and I\'m sure to many many others without even knowing it. A true hero.
Thank you,
Tim
| | |  Tim Bowman
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Sad Times! |
As a relatively new AR (of shorter races) I have watched your accomplishments with admiration and some envy. To reach the top of your sport is to be respected. To do it in the company of such good friends is to be blessed. I only hope that when my moment comes, I am doing sommething I love and I am in the company of such friends and teammates.
Know that Nigel will be with AROC as you race in the future - and judging form the accounts I\'ve read of his spirit, he will be whispering in your navigator\'s ear! Stay strong! | | | Ken Roberts
Tennessee
USA | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Missing a good man |
As someone who was moving out of competitive Rogaining as Nigel was moving into the sport I remember Nigel’s enthusiasm and energy for the regaining and other endurance sports. It was with great sadness that I heard of his untimely death earlier today. Nothing more to say.
Richard Matthews
| | | Richard Matthews
Western Australia
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | NIGEL - WORLD CHAMPION |
I was so sorry to hear what had happened. My partner has gone, and he will not join me in WRC in 2006 in Australia as planned. I have spent great moments with NIgel, especially in 1998 in Canada.
But Nigel was much more than just a great racer. We had great time with him during his visit to my home. Last night whole my family gathered together and went back in our minds to those cold winter moments, when Nigel and my family were snowmobiling here in Finland, what a fun we all had.
Not only my family friend, but some many others friend, and so understandable. Last time I was lucky to meet NIgel was last spring in Croatia. As things didn´t seem to work right...there was NIgel with his bright ideas, understanding, and objective thoughts.
What else we could expect a person. Nigel is gone, and we all miss him very much.
We want to wish Nigel´s relatives as well as his teammates and all that knew him, strength to continue ... as Nigel many times commented...o-okey that seems fair...
Otso, Yeti, Jonna and Iiro Kakko
Finland | | | veli metsa
Finland | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Good bye Nigel you legend |
I\'ve encountered amazing people and great places since racing in \'98 and now my memories of Croatia and Australia will never be the same.
It was great sharing the same path with you, too bad it was so short.
You\'re a legend mate. Nous ne t\'oublirons jamais. Il y a maintenant un vide. | | |
| | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Tribute, Tributo |
Pain is one that welcomes in many of which we made adventure races,
he dead like us liked to almost all, seems to me that a small
serious tribute anywhere in the world to offer him to a minute of
applause in ou next adventure races, in each country where a test is
made, to offer a minute him of applause, in AR we are a family without
nationalities.
Es una pena que nos acoge a muchos de los que realizamos carreras de aventura, el fallecio como nos gustaria a casi todos, me parece que un pequeño tributo seria brindarle un minuto de aplausos en las proximas carreras de aventura en todo el mundo, en cada pais donde se realice una prueba, brindarle un minuto de silencio, en AR somos una familia sin nacionalidades.
Luis Canseco | | |  Luis Canseco Castellanos
Mexico | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel, you\'ll be missed |
I met Nigel in Sweden - a big smile, huge heart and passion for adventure racing. He leaves behind a world wide community of adventure racers who felt his presence in the sport. My condolences to his family, his friends and team mates. | | |  Doug Doyle
Canada | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | nigel |
I didn\'t know you well but in the short time that I spent with you at races you were always unendingly cheerful and helped out those of us who were newbies.
Thanks for being an inspiration.
You will be there at every race watching over the racers, organisers and volunteers.
daniel | | | daniel massey
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 23. Sep, 2004 | | The one and only |
To me, Nigel epitomised all that is good about Adventure Racing, and the AR community. His energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the sport were unsurpassed. The sport has lost a Bradman, an elite competitor, a guy who never stopped giving, a fiend who just loved to be out pounding through the bush.
Nigel, you will remain with us always as we trek the mountain trails and descend the tumbling streams.
Brett Anderson
Vic. Australia | | | Brett Anderson
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 24. Sep, 2004 | | End of an era |
Nigel, as one of only a handful of people crazy enough to come out in any conditions for a ride, run or paddle, you will be sadly missed. I have lots of great memories of you mate. One of my enduring memories of you is riding up to you during the day 2 ride of Cradle to Coast, with you sitting up on your new Scapin road bike like you were out for a Sunday ride - never did like aero-bars did you? Or that determined wombat-style grunt that you could hear coming from behind during a run in the Dandenongs. You had a pure love of sport and did things honestly and without any pretensions or attitude. Your permanent smile, and unselfish desire to help anyone in any situation, will be remembered by all of us multi-sporters from INCC. It\'s the end of an era.
Bye mate.
| | | Brendon Grail
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 24. Sep, 2004 | | Goodbye Nigel |
The news hit me hard. What a shock! This is not meant to happen when you are having fun.
Nigel represented the true champion sportsman. Humble, quietly confident, and above all else, he cared about other athlete’s performances and challenges with genuine interest and concern.
This is what made him an interesting person to talk to. He cared, listened and offered his informed opinion.
Nigel, you will be missed. God bless.
It is hard not to think about him all day. In fact hard to see through the misty eyes.
Paul | | |
| | | | Posted 24. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
When he wasnt eating, he was smiling, when he wasnt smiling he was laughing. I feel privileged to have known Nigel and been affected by his friendliness, his enthusiasm and his endless energy. How could such a small guy be so strong? A true inspiriation. Nigel, I still hope you find that wife - an Angel up there perhaps. Our deepest sympathies to Nigel\'s family, AROC, friends. Our thoughts are with you.
Zoe and Warren | | |  Zoe King
Australia | | | | Posted 24. Sep, 2004 | | un gran amigo nigel |
trabajamos juntos en croacia en terra incognita, fue un gran compañero y amigo, me presto su abrigo cuando tenia frio en una tormenta y me enseño mucho de lo que se en carreras de aventuras. lo voy a mencionar en mi proximo libro.. niguel donde quieras que estes viviras en nuestro corazon siempre..adios amigo
franklin
puerto rico
| | | franklin moreno
Florida
USA | | | | Posted 24. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
I´m new on adventure races world, but I felt likewise I new this man from who everybody say so many good things about.
It´s sad to lost a good friend, great companion.
Our deepest sympathies to Nigel´s family and Aroc mates and friends.
Vicente Luis Vidigal
Lagarto Negro
Brazil | | | Vicente Luís Vidigal
Brazil | | | | Posted 24. Sep, 2004 | | God Bless All |
From www.xtremersteam.org mexican mountain sports community our deepest sympahies to Nigel´s family including AROC teammates.
God bless the mankind whom dare to live his live in happiness and die for...
God bless Nigel where ever you are, I´ll meet you there...but no yet, rest in peace but show must go on...
El Tosscomayor
| | |  Rene Hernandez
Mexico | | | | Posted 25. Sep, 2004 | | Alina, Team AROC |
Thank you all for the many emails and messages of support that we have recieved. It is really nice to hear all the great stories about Nigel. Nigel was a great team mate. One of the best you could ever ask for. He was always strong, raring to go, dependable, happy, supportive - But anything to do with bikes or lights and that was another matter!!! We were having a fantastic race this year at the SPQ. We had put ourselves in a comanding position. We were all feeling great and strong. We had completed 2 checkpoints out of the 5 of the orienteering section and well in time to finish them all prior to dark. With the other teams having to do this orienteering section in the dark we knew we would get another few hours lead on them and leave pleanty of time to get in a few good sleeps. We were pretty confident. The day of the tradegy we were having a great day. The weather was magnificent, Nigel and Tom were enjoying the navigation, the area beautiful. We were in great spirits. If there is any consolation in all of this it is that Nigel left us doing what he loves best and leading us to what he was sure was a win.
There is an empty place in our hearts and we terribly miss Nigel, his crooked helmet, his smelly socks, his ability to argue everything you said.
We will be paddling the final leg of the SPQ on Monday (USA time) and taking Nigel accross the finish line - a winner like he deserves.
Keep running Nige.
Alina, Tom and Matt | | |  Alina McMaster
Australian Capital Territory
Australia | | | | Posted 25. Sep, 2004 | | Regrets from Croatia |
We met Nigel in Croatia as he was supposed to race Terra Incognita.Unfortunatelly, his team did not show up, so Niegel decieded to assist the organisation crew.I cannot describe how passionate he was in working on the race.He was like a one man bane doing everything, 24 hours a day - from carrying kayaks to the boats and trucks, assisting filming crew and mountain rescue team to helping in headquarters.After just 2 days he took simpaties from the entire organisation of Terra Incognita.He worked hard as nobody in organisaton and show that he got enthusiasm and energy for 4 persons! When I wanted to give him 60 Euros (this was simply vedge for all volounteers for 5 days/nights of work) he rejected it, considering it would be shame for him. Even if we knew ach other loosely for just 5 days, my people in organisation still remembers him and when we got together and talk about the races we organise, conversation cannot pass on without mentioning \"that Australian that worked as an ultra bee.\"
Thanks Niegel for meeting and knowing you.
Simun Cimerman
Terra Incognita | | | Simun Cimerman
Croatia | | | | Posted 25. Sep, 2004 | | miss you champ |
Nig,for a quiet little guy you certainly now how to attract attention. As if you guys weren\'t attracting enough attention back home with the position you were in prior to the \'mishap\'. We had hardly slept for 2 days as we watched the race unfold.
We\'ll surely miss you CHAMP. If there could be one consolation, there will now be more food on the buffet table for the rest of us.
Our hearts go out to Nigel\'s family, friends,Tom,Al,Mat,John,Novak,Rebecca, Guy. weluvewesall..Greg&Marg.Mount Isa | | | Greg Lennox
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 25. Sep, 2004 | | Bob Flower |
Shocked at the loss. Having competed in a number of local events with Nigel in years gone by it was no surprise to read all the tributes. He certainly was a gentleman, a competitor, a lover of adventure, a quiet achiever. My thoughts are very much with Tom, Alina and John (and the other Aussies I haven\'t met). All the best with your tribute planned for the last day. | | | Bob Flower
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 25. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
I still remember the first time I met Nige, it was about 8 years ago at a Mt Beauty pub the night before the Bogong to Hotham ultramarathon. Nigel took pity on me as I was on my own and struck up a conversation. As the discussion went on, I started to discover that this quiet, unassuming, odd looking guy was actually a reasonable athlete. As more people came into the pub, they all seemed to gravitate towards him for a few words and I knew he must be someone special, the fact he’d also made about 10 trips to the salad bar while I was there also gave me some clues. Finally I asked him how he went the previous year and with a grin he said he’d won it. That was not the last time I underestimated Nigel as he continuously came out and surprised us with his energy , determination, enthusiasm and endurance.
It\'s still hard to imagine you\'re gone, in our eyes you were always unstoppable. Your passing has left a huge hole in our lives and we’re grateful for the time we did manage to spend with you. The memories you’ve left us with will continue to make us smile for the remainder of our years. I\'ve written some of my more memorable moments of our time together below. I’m sure anyone who knew him can relate to these.
We’ll miss you mate,
Damon and Fleur,
In 2001 a bunch of us were heading over to Tassie for the 3 day Cradle to Coast multisport race. Two weeks before the event, Nige got knocked off his bike by a car on the way home from work. With a limp , sore back and a swollen knee, he refused to pull out. The next week, he got hit again on his bike(at the same intersection mind you), causing a bigger limp and knee nearly the size of a basketball. With an opening 65km run stage across the Overland Track we doubted he’dmake it, but with the characteristic Nigel determination,he competed and finished the event. He told us he tried to find a replacement but had no luck, but we knew he just really wanted to do it!
In another trip with Nige, he thought he needed a haircut the day before the race. Not wanting to waste much time, he got some scissors and allowed himself about 6 snips to do the whole job himself in front of a mirror. He had us all on the floor in stitches when he came out of the bathroom looking like a banjo playing inbred hillbilly. We thought he’d ask us to neaten it up for him but he just laughed and started arranging his gear. He went through the whole race like that, not caring what anyone thought, but always able to have a laugh at himself.
His mind always seemed to be analyzing something, I remember one trip home from the Winter Classic event in Omeo where he explained to me his his paddle down the pinball rapid. Although the rapid is only about 100 metres long, he managed to take from about Bairnsdale to Dandenong to explain his experience, describing every eddy, rock, wave in great detail. I was just about ready to throw him out of car after that. | | | Damon Goerke
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 26. Sep, 2004 | | Nigel |
Nigel, your smile has left its mark upon my world and I will cherish it forever.
toby | | | toby cogley
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 26. Sep, 2004 | | Three Peaks Legend |
Each Easter for the past 6 years Nigel has come down to Tasmania for the Three Peaks Race. Together we have managed a second and four firsts in a row, race record (with Michael Wheatley), and mountain record on Mt Wellington (set in the dark with Andrew Kromar).
Nigel was very much the anchor of our team.
And a more humble man you could not meet. Inquisitive about every aspect of sailing the yacht, he\'d come back from a 65km mountain run, and straight away he\'d be pulling up sails and jumping on the oars - to warm down he said. He could never sit still - even the sailing legs were his competition ground.
Who will forget us rowing a 38\' YACHT 12 miles up the Derwent River before Nigel and Andrew blitzed the Mt Wellington run record in 2003.
Or this year\'s fantastic finish for win No. 4 when Nigel and Michael jumped off the yacht in Hobart with just two and a half minute\'s lead, and brought home the victory.
Easter will never be the same again. Farewell Nigel. Life is nothing if not an adventure.
The API Mersey Pharmacy Three Peaks team | | | Terry Travers
Tasmania
Australia | | | | Posted 26. Sep, 2004 | | Sad News |
Met Nigel at RAID New Caledonia last year and will remember him simultaneously smiling, eating and covered in mud. Our best wishes to his family and huge group of friends.
Cheers
Matt | | | Matt Smith
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 26. Sep, 2004 | | goodbye nigel |
Saying goodbye to Nigel is hard. really hard. He was a precious friend, a beautiful person, a man of extremes. So hard, so capable, so strong - yet so gentle, so caring, so loyal to his friends. Thinking of nigel I cry and giggle, then cry again... he was just so endearingly Nigel. His passion for racing and training was absolutely impressive, and his generosity was humbling. In losing Nigel I have lost one of my most precious friends, not to mention one of my most crazy training partners! I feel lucky to have been able to share part of my life with him, and to be a part of his incredible life. Goodbye Nigel. | | | Tory Thomas
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 27. Sep, 2004 | | Team AROC |
So sorry to read of the accident that took the life of your valued team member Nigel from your awesome adventure racing team. Our thoughts are with the team as you no doubt struggle to come to terms with the loss.I had the pleasure of competing against the AROC team in this years Quoll adventure race in Cairns, where we witnessed your team showing the true spirit of close competitive adventure racing. Nigel raced in this event in 2003 with AROC. The departure of Nigel is a sad loss for Nigels family, AROC team and many adventure racers like myself. Our thoughts are with all concerned.
Dave Hunter
Team \"Where\'s Guam Gone\"
New Zealand | | | Dave Hunter
New Zealand | | | | Posted 27. Sep, 2004 | | A great loss |
I was nothing less than shocked when I heard of Nigel\'s death at this year\'s SPQ. I met him on several occasions, most recently during the TIAR race in Croatia, where he offered up some advice to our team and kept us encouraged and cheered us up a bit before heading out on the last paddle section--he had such energy and enthusiasm! I know that he will be sorely missed by the racing community. My sincere condolences to team AROC and to Nigel\'s friends and family!
Barry Schon
Minneapolis, MN | | | Barry Schon
Minnesota
USA | | | | Posted 28. Sep, 2004 | | \'What would Nigel do?\' |
We met you Nigel at the 2004 XPD. From that first meeting you had the grace, pa???, and excitement to be genuinly interested in a novice teams misguided approach. Without knowing it, you guided us during the race. On many ocasions we stood at the juncture of a difficult navigational decision, only deciding which way to move once we had asked ourselves \'what would Nigel do?\' You inspired us then, and the answers to that question will guide us again. Thank you Nigel.
GHD Enduro. James, Alita, Lucy, Paul. | | | Paul Priebbenow
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 28. Sep, 2004 | | \'What would Nigel do?\' |
We met you Nigel at the 2004 XPD. From that first meeting you had the grace, patience, and excitement to be genuinely interested in a novice teams misguided approach. Without knowing it, you guided us during the race. On many occasions we stood at the juncture of a difficult navigational decision, only deciding which way to move once we had asked ourselves \'what would Nigel do?\' You inspired us then, and the answers to that question will guide us again. Thank you Nigel.
GHD Enduro. James, Alita, Lucy, Paul. | | | Paul Priebbenow
Queensland
Australia | | | | Posted 28. Sep, 2004 | | messages from mates of Nigel |
We were very sad to hear about Nigel\'s accident whilst doing what he loved best. Over the years he has been a great competitor, friend and a helper on the Rooftop Run in the High Country. He always was ready to offer help to the organisers and the Radio operators who manned the check points every 5 Km across the course. He was always on for a chat and offered encouragement to everyone. He will be sadly missed by us all. Please pass on our condolences to his family.
The radio operators from the Rooftop run and the Twin Cities Radio Club Bob Tait VK3UI Melbourne Australia. | | | Rosi King
New South Wales
Australia | | | | Posted 28. Sep, 2004 | | A Song for Nigel |
This song for Nigel was on one of the U.S. newsgroups. It was posted by a race volunteer called Bob, and he was describing the scene after Nigel\'s ashes had been carried over the line.
Then all the Aussies and Kiwis sang a tribute song to Nigel that they had written the day after his death. They had sung it at TA6 and I, for one, love the sentiment. It\'s sung to \"The Land Downunder\" by Men at Work. Here are the words and even if you didn\'t
know Nigel you will get it.
Paddling in a loaded necky
On a calm sea, full of breakie
I met a small man, he was kinda stinky
Big grin, wore his helmet kinky.
Chorus:
He said, \"I come from a land downunder.
Where women blow and men chunder.
There\'s lots of women, it makes me wonder.
Why my team ain’t found me a lover?\"
I once met Nigel in Brussels.
He was four foot two with no muscles
I said, \"Do you speaker my language?\"
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich.
Chorus
Pushing my bike in the USA.
With no sleep and lots to say.
He said to the team, \"Are you trying to tempt me?
`cos when we\'ve won you\'ll sleep plenty.\"
Chorus | | | Robert Howard
Leicestershire
uk | | | | Posted 29. Sep, 2004 | | Adventure racer and Father |
Dear Nigel we never met but our paths crossed on Three Peaks trails and other adventure races. My son Aaron raced against you shared our love of what we do and the friendships we make.
I share your passing along another trail as a father.
Our thoughts go out to you and your family.
Russell Prince and Family
Christchurch
New Zealand | | | Russell Prince
New Zealand | | | | Posted 01. Oct, 2004 | | empty at home |
When taking Nigel to the airport bus on the morning of 10 September, I asked how he thought he would do in the race. He just smiled. He knew the team could win this year, but he was also going to where he enjoyed being the most -- to a long, tough, continuous outdoor challenge race. To challenge himself -- to go one better than last year. For Nige it wasn\'t about beating anyone but himself.
For about the last 18 months Nigel was my housemate. While he may not have fitted some people\'s image of \"the perfect housemate\" -- we got along really well together. The food bills were big, but so were your yummy \"test desserts\"!
We had been friends since we were in first year together in 1984, often sitting next to each other in pracs (in engineering they arranged people alphabetically...). It didn\'t take us long to find that Nige was \"one of those clever kids\" -- on comparing HSC marks we found he had one of those scores which only becomes possible to those who take about 3 extra subjects!
We were also both active members of the Monash Bushwalking Club. He took me on my first rogaine. (I think I did about 2 more...) He was in my first canoe polo team. (He didn\'t play more than a couple of seasons with us -- paddling for Nige was an outside sport).
Throughout the 1990s we were amazed at how Nige managed to complete his PhD and MBA while also winning every rogaine and going running, cycling and paddling just about every day.
Nige, your amazing list of outstanding achievements in every field to which you applied yourself absolutely beggars comparison, and although you weren\'t due home until 3 October, there\'s already a great big emptyness inside me, at home, and in the world in general.
Alina -- you were spot on... Keep running Nige!
- Peter Bartle | | | Peter Bartle
Victoria
Australia | | | | Posted 03. Oct, 2004 | | Thanks for the Inspiration! |
We were deeply saddened to hear of Nigels passing. He will be fondly remembered by all of our family. He lived his life much the way we live ours, every day to it’s fullest within his means. His experiences inspired others around him to enjoy as much of our earth’s riches as you can. We had the opportunity of traveling across Canada this summer, Kevin and I cycling and Jennifer and Lindsay providing support. We often thought of Nigel and his travels in China and elsewhere. Unencumbered and free with few commitments. One of the greatest joys of travel and adventure is that it allows you to simplify your daily life and live in the moment. Much of our world today requires that we wind ourselves up into a pace that surpasses our ability to simply enjoy life for what it can be. Not all people embrace this philosophy, but Nigel did and we certainly do.
We will always have the fondest memories of our travels in Australia. Kevin still would like to attend university in Adelaide. Our time spent with you in Emerald and at the cottage near Wilson’s Promontory were some of the highlights of our time in Australia. Lindsay still has dreams of owing a vet practice in Emerald with a few hectares for her horses and various other orphaned animals.
We hope that Nigel’s photos, letters, awards and mementos will remain as a cherished legacy of his life that he lived so fully.
With sincere sympathy,
Allan Stradeski, Jennifer, Kevin and Lindsay Eastwood
Kamloops BC Canada
| | | Allan Stradeski
British Columbia
Canada | | | | Posted 03. Oct, 2004 | | Nigel - |
Nige, you got me lost many times mate;
but in the process you also helped
me find my way.
I could say so much for you, we shared so many wonderful, exciting, thoughtful and horrible times together; so many adventures.
Three days before you\'re tragic accident I was \'short-cutting\' off a mountain into the valley floor below. After getting bluffed twice my friend & I managed to climb across onto a large rockslde - dodgy but doable. I remarked out loud \"Nigel would love this, he has at least 30 lives\". So so sorry for you mate.
We first met when you turned up on my doorstep less than a week after I\'d arrived to live in Melbourne from NZ to talk to a mutual friend about rogaining. Next thing you\'d jacked me up with a complete stranger (thanks Derek)and I found myself racing in the Victorian Rogaining champs. You always szeised every opportunity!
Nige, thanks for all those great races -The Skigaine when we were only 29mins late back and still managed to get 2nd, The 1st Arrow 24hr,
The fantastic Adventure race in the British Virgin Islands where you locked yourself in the resort bathroom twice - the 1st time you sniggered away as the toilet overflowed and its contents sneaked under the door into the lounge. The 2nd was when you decided the Carribean was a hot place and gave yourself a haircut pre race. Nige, the lawnmower would\'ve done a better job!! Chunks of scalp showing interspersed with 15cm strands of hair. By the way, I know why you always wore your helmet crooked - you had a permanent lump the size of a quail egg on the top of your head! We paddled into a hurricane, wore swim goggles kayaking, scuba dived where pirates treasure had been but your tenacity for locating checkpoints will never be forgotton. After leading us crawling through the same lot of dense cactuses for the 5th time, you were actually crying and wimpering with pain and frustration, but still you wouldn\'t give up. \"It\'s got to be here somewhere\"!
We went from the Carribean straight to minus 24degreesC in Sweden and spent hours dragging our bike boxes and trunks through the snow in the dark of night trying to find my kids Aaron & Lara who were studying there. No taxi would take us as we had too much gear. You loved the free X-mas dinner we had with the homeless, you could eat as much as you wanted. We all nearly froze alive trying to ski to Norway and you drove a skidoo through the ice in Finland.
In Fiji we wore our life jackets for 3 days in the jungle trying to keep warm, then spent a horrible night huddled under our useless little pack-rafts on a muddy slope in the pouring rain because the river was too swollen to battle up any further. You kept assuring our hypothermic teammate in your irrepressible optimism \"the checkpoints just around the next corner....\"
Nige, you are a legend in so many ways. You weren\'t scared paddling out the river mouth when the waves just kept coming bigger and bigger, you didn\'t know why the cargo ship kept sounding it\'s horn when you were trying to wash ride it in your Evolution, and you didn\'t understand why the cops kicked us out of the Burnley Tunnel when we tried to mountain bike through.....
Who else would go to a ball as a bumble-bee and then have to go through Melbounre afterwards with a tiger! Nigel I thank you for letting me practise chiro on you, you were a faithful clinic patient because you loved the massage machine, you always tried to pay for dinner, your car was held together by the rust holding hands, the heater was always on \'air conditioning\', and the radio was your mind talking overtime, always trying to make sense of everything.
Well, I know you\'ll now be rationalising things with God, finding out how things work and asking us what the hell are we all crying for.
We will all miss you so much Nigel, but I thank you for giving everyone so much.
From one of your best buddies, Viv | | | Vivienne Prince
Tasmania
Australia | | | | Posted 04. Oct, 2004 | | How we will remember him |
In the 2001 Cradle to Coast I had the privilege to run the overland track with Nigel. He was running with me because in the weeks leading up to the race he had the misfortune to have been knocked of his bike by a car, twice! He was still carrying injuries that would put most people on the bench, but Nigel never sat on the bench. That was part of his tenacious and irrepressible nature. Throughout the run I was amazed at how much he was enjoying himself. Despite performing far below his best he was having a fantastic time, a rough trail, beautiful views, passing hikers who were doing the same track in 5 days, he loved it all! I was not struck by his competitive nature so much as how much he could talk, and neither hill nor food would interrupt him! I did a lot of listening.
His accomplishments speak for themselves, but I will most remember his personal qualities. Ego and ambition never got in the way of being a good bloke. He could speak to anyone and take a genuine interest in what they were doing. If it was important to you, it was fascinating for him. He had the inquisitive nature that only an engineer could possess and he could break down any problem into so many pieces it could never be put together the same way again. He never judged anyone nor did he feel compelled to blow his own trumpet. He was utterly selfless and would always go out of his way to offer encouragement and support, regardless of how busy or tired he was.
Nigel will always be a hero of mine and whenever I find myself in a difficult place during a race, when I am starting to feel a little sorry for myself and I am forgetting why I entered, I am sure memories of Nigel will help me refocus and push on a little harder.
While we will miss him terribly, we consider ourselves privileged to have enjoyed his friendship and remain inspired by his example.
Stuart.
Nige to me will be remembered because of the happiness and energy he always brought into our home (and the bare pantry that was left after he had been to visit.) He was an amazing person; his sporting achievements, quirky quotes are all memorable, but is it how he made you feel that makes him unforgettable. I will truly miss the gentle man with a cheeky smile and a big heart whose passion for life will inspire me for the rest of mine.
Mel
| | | Stuart McFadzean
Tasmania
Australia | | | | Posted 30. Nov, 2004 | | Found this... |
I was jsut browsing the Explore Sweden site and came across a couple of nice video clips featuring Nigel.
http://www.exploresweden.se/redir.php?id=outside7
http://www.exploresweden.se/redir.php?id=outside9 | | | Jon Brooke
Buckinghamshire
UK | | |
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