Two Queenstown volunteer fireys will be feeling a different type of heat this October.
After an impressive performance at the National Firefighter Challenge in Wellington last weekend, Claire Jones and Samuel Stafford-Bush have secured spots at the World Firefighter Challenge, being held in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Firefighter Challenge — dubbed the toughest two minutes in sport — includes five extreme firefighting-related challenges, such as
climbing a six-storey tower carrying a length of 70mm flaked hose, which tips the scales at 19kg.
Jones, a local legend, came fourth in the 40-and-under category at last year’s World Firefighter Challenge, and fifth woman overall, in 2 minutes, 27 seconds.
In last weekend’s race, she was the second female, and even managed a new PB, 2mins 26 secs.
Stafford-Bush placed 11th last weekend, in 1min, 52secs.
The pair also competed in the co-ed tandem race, finishing second, and made a Queenstown record, completing the course in 1min, 39secs.
The relay team, comprising Jones, Stafford-Bush, Julien Facci, Lee Winter and Jesse Johnston, finished fourth overall.
Meantime, Jones says she and Stafford-Bush already have a game plan for the United States — starting with training six days a week.
