By Rebecca Harris
Team Australia is on track to take home the 2010 42 Below Cocktail World Cup tomorrow night (Mar 27), after placing third in the competition so far.
Four challenges have seen Australia earn an impressive 14.9 points out of 20, placing them just behind Team USA and Team London. The final tomorrow night will make up the additional 80 points and determine who will be the overall winners.
Now in its sixth year, the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup is well-known as one of the most thrilling cocktail competitions in the world. Aside from cocktail education, the competition also involves contestants taking part in extreme activities like bungee-jumping and jetboating.
Australian 42 Below brand manager Brad Richter said that this is one of the most exhilarating competitions he has ever been to. “The 42 Below Cocktail World Cup brings the brand to life,” he said. “Whether it be hanging upside down bungee-jumping, holding on for dear life jetboating or going ‘loop de loop’ in a plane, all the while showcasing New Zealand’s purity and natural environment.”
This year’s Australian team is made up of Chris Hysted, Karel Reyes Gonzalez and Noriel Calub.
“Making drinks is something we do every day,” said Hysted. “It’s hard enough to create great drinks in your normal environment, but to be taken out of your comfort zone, with things like making mocktails while on a jetboat, that creates an even greater challenge.”
Calub said they are confident going into the final tomorrow night, naming Team USA as, “the team to beat”.
Other countries represented this year include France, New Zealand and Italy.