The family that … spits together, plays together?<\/p>\n
That may be true, as it was a family affair at the national cherry-pit spitting competition in Cromwell yesterday.<\/p>\n
Inaugural champion Aaron Collins, of Dunedin, was back in top form after being absent for the past two years due to work commitments.<\/p>\n
The man nicknamed Thundertongue when he competed in Western Australia once again took top honours with the longest spit of 10.47m.<\/p>\n
An earlier distance of 15m during the heats was deemed to be wind-assisted.<\/p>\n
Not content with taking the men\u2019s section, Mr Collins also brought along his four children and sister Hannah to the event.<\/p>\n
Ms Collins was second in the women\u2019s section, daughter Emma, 14, won the under-16 girls event and son Daniel, 11, was third in the boy\u2019s under-16 contest.<\/p>\n
Leading the way for Central Otago families were father and son duo Michael and Bob Wardill. Michael was delighted to beat his son to second place in the men\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n
Cromwell Promotions Group marketing and communications manager Tanya Dennis said the perfect weather contributed to a wonderful day, with about 100 people trying their luck on the mat.<\/p>\n
Each contestant was given three cherries in exchange for their entry fee.<\/p>\n
There was no limit how many times they could pay and try during the heats. Contestants ranged from 2-year-old Naomi Mukata to people easily old enough to be her grandparents.<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s section winner Laure Veneilhan arrived from France yesterday and headed directly to the competition, cleaning up with a 7.93m effort.<\/p>\n
Cherries donated by Jackson\u2019s Orchard were used for the contest and winners left with a box of the summer treats to enjoy in a more leisurely fashion.<\/p>\n
For those not keen on spitting, there was a hotly contested colouring competition, judged by Cromwell artists Judy Cockeram and Rachel Hirabayashi, and cherry dress-up contest, which featured outfits with cherries printed on them and some in cherry-coloured clothes.<\/p>\n
Winner of the under-8 section Billie Atkins sported cherry hairties and earrings as well as cherries printed on her skirt and drawn on her face.<\/p>\n