The New Zealand gumboot-throwing team wrapped up its efforts at the Bootthrowing World Championships in Italy's Ascoli Piceno yesterday (NZ time) with neither of its stars, Olympic decathlete Brent Newdick and Dunedin nurse or boot-throwing novice Mairead Fox, gaining a medal.
Fox threw a solid 27.62m in the women's open final, which was good enough for 11th place in the 25-strong field.
But it was well short of Finland's Tiia Koskelo who, with a 41.91m throw, won gold and was one of seven Finnish throwers in the top 10.
Fox's throw was just short of the 28m winner that gave her the national title at Queenstown's New Zealand Rural Games in February.
Newdick's 36.58m throw in the men's open final was only good enough for 16th in a 28-strong field, and it, too, was well short of his New Zealand form - he threw a 48.5m monster in Taihape to qualify for the world championships.
Finland's Antti Ruusuvirta threw his gumboot 57.39m to win gold in the men's event, more than 5m clear of his nearest rival.
Fox's father Jack also travelled to Italy and was the only entry in the men's 60 to 65-year-old final, throwing 15.26m.
It was hoped New Zealand could host the Bootthrowing World Championships within the next three years.
