Alabaster wins Pre-Shears open

WINNER: Sheree Alabaster competes in the open woolhandling heats.

The fleece was flying furiously at the Pre-Shears Woolhandling Championships Wairarapa held at Riverside Farm yesterday.

Sheree Alabaster of Taihape took out the open title in the warm up event for the three-day Golden Shears world premier championship that starts today.

Emaraina Braddick was second, followed by Ronnie Goss of Kimbolton and fourth, Joel Henare of Gisborne.

Hannah Spiers of Eketahuna won the junior title and Jimmy Samuels of Marton, the senior.

The North Island Woolhandling Sports Circuit was also held with Connor Puha of Kimbolton taking out the senior final and Chonelle Kawana taking the junior top spot.

President Mori Gibbs said it was not just a warm-up, but an event to promote Wairarapa wool handlers and encourage them to compete in shows locally and nationally.

She said the event was in its 14th year and it had grown a lot since it began, with 70 to 100 volunteers involved and support from sponsors - including farmers and businesses.

Mrs Gibbs had expected Alabaster, Kawana, the Braddick sisters, Keryn Herbert, and Joel Henare to be top performers. "It's hard to pick, they are all extremely good at what they do, they are precision athletes."

FLAT OUT: Emaraina Braddick competes in the open woolhandling heats.

Golden Shears Open Woolhandler defending champion Joel Henare was on top form during his heat, but wasn't complacent about his competition.

"There's a lot of good ones coming through."

He said he was expecting a battle with Herbert, Tina Rimene and Ronnie Goss.

Joel Henare on the move.

The 23-year-old from Gisborne has been competing since he was 13 and said it took dedication to get to the top.

"To have these sort of skills, a lot of hard work put in the wool sheds and being taught the right skills from the right people."

"I enjoy it, it's a hard working pace and you meet a lot of good people."

Henare was taught the trade by Rimene, a master woolhandler.

Josie Reiri-Rongonui, an ex wool handler and Whaiora health promoter, said a top performer required three things.

"You have to be physically fit, have a good eye and just a good technique to sort the wool."

Mrs Reiri-Rongonui was there as part of the Wairarapa Smoke-Free Network, encouraging people to give up the habit.

Full results of the Pre-Shears will become available on www.shearingsports.co.nz.