Latest news with #Aussie-born
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Quads of steel: Grouse Grinders compete to complete the most treks in a single day
His legs were sore, rubbery and dead. His body was still weak from two weeks of illness and a fever that had just dissipated the day before. And then, 10 minutes into his 10th trip up the Grouse Grind, James Stewart started hearing voices. There was the tiny, insistent one, telling him to quit, that there was no way he could make another nine ascents in a single day to break the record at the Multi Grouse Grind Challenge. There was the external one, as Stewart chatted amiably with another trail-goer beside the path, after that little voice won out and got him to stop. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'And while I'm chatting to this guy, something in the back of my mind just goes, like, 'James, what the hell are you doing?' ' laughed Stewart. He turned, and completed the climb at a faster-than-planned pace, and got back in the race. A few hours later, Stewart jumped off the tram, scattered some confused tourists and squeaked in just under the 10 p.m. deadline by seconds to start his 19th trip up the Grind — eventually to complete his record-tying 19th ascent of the day. Stewart and Vancouver's Wilfrid Leblanc are the current record-holders of the Multi-Grouse Grind Challenge, the annual event held on the summer solstice — the year's longest day — both having completed 19. Leblanc won it in 2019; Stewart equalled the record last year. The Grouse Grind is a hike legendary for its views from the top and the lung-busting 30 per cent grade that must be conquered to make it there, 2.9 kilometres from top to bottom. The elevation gain is 853 metres. For context: Mount Everest is 8,850 m. Nineteen trips up the Grind is 55,100 m. And this year, Stewart is gunning for 20. 'That's what I'm aiming for … It would be nice to hold the record outright,' said the Aussie-born endurance athlete who became a Canadian citizen last year. 'I guess I've got a little bit extra to go for. I'm looking forward to the challenge, but it's going to be quite a bit harder to pull it off though.' The day isn't getting any longer, and the already-quick pace can't be increased by much, considering the 45-minute average Stewart clocked in at. An average person can complete the Grind in 1 1/2 to two hours. Even pro athletes — like the Vancouver Canucks — are exhausted after one trip up. One thing working in his favour, and, ironically, against the racers is the new Blue Grouse Gondola. The red Grouse Mountain Skyride arrives in 10-minute intervals, and Stewart has, umm, groused about missing it by seconds in the past. But the new 27-car tram runs almost non-stop, cutting down on the time it takes to get back down the mountain. That also means less time to rest, rehydrate, refuel and refocus on the trip down. 'By time you get to the top of the climb, your body's gone through quite a bit of stress. Having that 10-minute respite kind of resets the system and allows you get going again,' said Stewart. 'I always find the actual first 10 minutes of every climb is the hardest part, because it's hard to get your body going again once it stops. 'I'm just trying to get in a good head space … even though the body's hurting and hanging on. It's a lot of mind over matter; you've just got to stay positive and not get into the pain that you're feeling.' And this is … fun? 'Very much so,' Stewart said, chuckling. 'I'm an endurance coach, so I help train people to do this very thing. It's like the ultimate problem to solve. It helps me maintain a high standard in my overall life because to achieve something like this, you can't cut corners. There's no shortcuts. You have to be prepared to get up every day and train. 'It forces me to get out of bed so I don't sleep in. Forces me to look after my diet. It gives me a challenge, something to work towards. And so there's a lot of problems to solve to succeed in a challenge like this.' The 2025 Grind Challenge, the ninth time it's been run, goes Friday, with 66 men and 34 women competing, with ages ranging from 17 to 66. The first racers take off at 4 a.m. The event is part of the mountain's race series, including the Seek the Peak and the Grouse Grind Mountain Run, and also serves as a fundraiser for the North Shore Rescue service. More than $100,000 has been raised so far this year. Racer Ross Hamilton has competed in the Multi Grind in 2023 and 2024, his personal record being 17 last year. He won't be getting close to that mark this year, after suffering a fall on the East Lion last September that left him with a brain contusion, concussion, two broken neck bones, a broken nose and broken ribs, and needing to be airlifted off the mountain by NSR. 'I am just thankful that I will be able to complete one Grind let alone multiple,' he wrote. 'I now have first-hand experience of how tirelessly these volunteers work to keep our mountains safe, and I am very thankful and appreciative that they were there for me when I needed them the most.' Damien Waugh is a volunteer with NSR, and has a PB of 18 Grinds. He's gunning for 20 as well, and has raised close to $6,000 this year alone. 'NSR doesn't charge for rescues. That means we rely on donations to cover essential costs like rescue gear, safety equipment, training and advanced technology,' he wrote. 'If you have ever recreated (sic) in the North Shore mountains — or just love knowing help is out there if someone needs it — we would be very grateful for your support.' A post shared by James Stewart (@couchtothesummit) Stewart, an endurance racer who has competed all over the world, came to Vancouver in 2015 to check out the Grind after hearing about it. He fell in love with the hike, the city, and, ultimately, a girl, and never left. '(This trail) is almost as unique as it gets in the world. So just to have something like this with a steep trail, with a resort system right there, and this popular, I don't know any other place that has it. So we're very fortunate to have that, and it's one of the reasons why I moved here.' To those attempting the climb, here's his advice: • The No. 1 thing is: don't push too hard. At the one-quarter mark, there's a sign on the trail that says, 'At this point, downhill hiking is no longer allowed if you go any further.' 'So if you're feeling tired or you don't have enough food, this is the point where you can turn around and go back down. A lot of people get to that sign and they're already done.' • If you have a heart rate monitor, you keep your heart rate no higher than 130 to 140 beats per minute. • If you're hearing your breath getting out of control, then you're probably going too fast. Slow your pace. • Don't care about how long it takes you. Take as many breaks as you feel like, there's nothing to be ashamed of of sitting, there's a few spots along the trail where you can sit down and cheer on the people that go past. You don't have to do it perfectly your first time. Just go there for the experience. • Bring food and water because you're going to need it.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Experience the ‘Everything Shower' with Frank Body x Koh's exciting limited new collaboration
Two Aussie cult-favourite brands: Frank Body and Koh have teamed up to turn the internet's viral shower ritual into the full-circle experience it was always meant to be. Welcome to the 'Everything Shower,' completed. Ever since Frank Body launched its Original Coffee Scrub, twelve years ago, showers have never been the same — and let's be real, they've gotten a lot messier (in the best way). With more than 10 million showers around the world covered in coffee grinds and nourishing oils, Frank Body has built a global fanbase for its glow-inducing, skin-polishing formulas and cheeky tone of voice. But what about the aftermath? That's where Koh steps in. The Aussie-born cleaning disruptor, known for its minimalist system, bleach-free formulas, and no-fuss, science-backed cleaning power, has finally joined forces with frank to clean up the chaos — without killing the vibe. Trusted in more than 1.5 million homes and recently crowned Australia's number one bathroom cleaner by Canstar Blue, Koh is the perfect partner to bring balance back to your bathroom. Together, they're taking the viral Everything Shower trend which exploded on TikTok in mid-2023 and now boasts nearly five billion views under #ShowerTok — to new levels. The concept? A full-body, full-head, full-vibe reset that exfoliates the week away. It's the ultimate act of self-care. But let's be honest, post-scrub splatter on the tiles? Not so zen. Enter the frank body x Koh collab, for the first time ever, you can experience a shower that gets you gloriously dirty and then effortlessly clean. Think: coffee scrubs, silky oils, and powerful but planet-friendly cleaning sprays — all bundled into exclusive limited-edition kits available on both brands' websites. Only 600 kits are dropping, so when they say limited, they mean it. And because self-care is better when shared, frank and Koh are giving away over $230 worth of bathroom essentials to 10 lucky winners over 10 days.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘She must be allowed': Norway's King Harald speaks out ahead of granddaughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra's historic move to Sydney
King Harald of Norway has opened up about his granddaughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra's historic move to Sydney to complete university studies. Ingrid, 21, is the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit and is second in line to the Norwegian throne behind her father. Last month, Norway's royal palace confirmed the young royal, who recently completed military service, will commence undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney. 'Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra will begin her studies at the University of Sydney in August, enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts program,' the Norwegian Palace said in a press release. It is understood the Princess will complete a three-year degree in social sciences at the historic sandstone university and reside on campus. On Monday, Harald was asked about Ingrid's decision to effectively leave her homeland for years and live on the opposite side of the globe. "You get this back with compound interest when she gets home, so I think that's just an advantage,' the monarch reportedly told Norwegian outlet VG. '(Ingrid) must be allowed to study and get an education before she starts representing." The future Queen of the ancient Norwegian monarchy is the goddaughter of King Frederik of Denmark, the husband of Aussie-born Queen Mary. The Norwegian Princess is only the latest in a long line of international royals who have completed part or all of their education in Australia. Thailand's reigning King Vajiralongkorn spent several years studying in Australia in the 1970s, while King Charles spent two terms at Geelong Grammar School in 1966. Ingrid's decision to study abroad follows in the footsteps of her father Haakon, who studied at University of California, Berkeley in the 1990s. The timing of the move also comes after a rollercoaster year for the Norwegian royal family. The country was scandalised last year after Ingrid's half-brother Marius Borg Høiby was arrested on a string of sex assault charges - including two rapes - last August. Mr Høiby is the 28-year-old son from Crown Princess Mette-Marit's previous relationship before she married into the Norwegian monarchy and has no role in the royal family.
Sky News AU
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
‘Burn these pants': Queen Mary of Denmark makes rare fashion faux pas in bizarre culottes ensemble
Denmark's Queen Mary has made a rare fashion misstep after arriving to a major engagement in Copenhagen wearing a pair of linen culottes. Last week, Mary stepped out in a grey jacket and matching culottes by Danish designer Mark Kenly Domino Tan. The Hobart-native appeared to blend her Danish and Aussie identities by pairing the bold look with a woven two-tone belt by Aussie label Zimmerman. Mary, 53, completed the risk-taking look with light brown suede heels from Gianvito Rossi. The Aussie-born royal made the daring sartorial choice while attending – ironically - the Global Fashion Summit at Copenhagen's DR Concert Hall. Eagle-eyed fans quickly honed in on the awkward length of the culottes, as well as the unmissable wrinkles on the fussy material. 'Not one of her finest choices. Look at all the wrinkles in that material!" one royal watcher wrote via the Daily Mail. 'Queen Mary, burn these pants. Lovely jacket, lovely belt, but please, please, please burn the pants,' added a second style commenter. 'Missed the mark this time. Outfit makes her look stocky and crinkled,' said a third. 'The outfit looks too messy and wrinkled, and that mousy grey isn't helping either,' another fashion fan said. 'This was indeed rare miss for Mary.' Mary's bold look marked the second time she had worn the polarising culottes after previously debuting the pants during her recent state visit to France with King Frederik. In Paris, Mary paired the grey two-piece look with Aquazzura over-the-knee stiletto boots, a high neck black top and a delightful brooch pinned to the jacket. At the time, Vogue Scandinavia diplomatically called the culottes 'slightly edgier' than the popular royal's usual style.
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Braveheart's Mel Gibson makes surprising confession about filming of iconic Scots movie
MEL Gibson has admitted he faked it as a film director when he was making Braveheart. The Aussie-born superstar, 69, said he had to pretend to the crew and enormous cast that he was totally in control of the £150million blockbuster. 2 Mel Gibson celebrated the 30th anniversary of Braveheart in Philadelphia Credit: Getty He came clean at a Fan Expo convention in Philadelphia, US, as the Oscar-winning epic celebrated its 30th anniversary. Gibson, who played legendary Scots freedom fighter Sir William Wallace, recalled: 'It was only my second outing as a director and it was a massive shoot. 'There were about 3,000 people on the set. They're all looking at you like you know what you're doing. 'So I pretended I knew what I was doing. 'But somehow it all came together. "Logistically speaking, it was a monster — from feeding everybody to getting them all to look like they were in the war.' Gibson said his 'proudest achievement' was avoiding serious injuries in the movie's many battle scenes. He explained: 'One guy got a hangnail and another got a broken nose and twisted ankle but that was it. 'It was a long shoot — there were 105 shooting days. We didn't get any days off.' 'But I'm really proud of the end result. It really paid off.' Braveheart fans go mad for Mel Gibson as he's asked about independence Elsewhere a former child star from Braveheart has revealed how he used to slag off Mel Gibson's dodgy Scots accent on set - so the Hollywood A-lister begged him to help improve his brogue. Andrew Weir from Ayr played William Wallace's best pal Hamish in the Oscar-winning flick and even managed to get family friend James Robinson a crucial part as the young freedom fighter. But the pair would regularly fall into hysterics at the Aussie actor's attempt to master our dialect. Andrew, who now lives in New York, says: 'I think Mel liked that we were kids and not intimidated by him. We used to laugh at his accent and he would ask us to help him make it better.'
