ALL SMILES: Khadija Abdulwahed and Haya Mohammed al-Kuwari made Qatar proud as the two female endurance riders took the first two places in the Al Shaqab Challenge 2011 Tarbes-Ibos Endurance Rides 90km National Race in Turbes, France on Sunday. The Qatar Female Endurance team making their first appearance in an international event put in a dazzling display as they rode the course to perfection. Khadija took the first place ahead of her team mate with only a few seconds separating the two

By Sports Reporter/Doha


Al Shaqab Endurance Team, member of Qatar Foundation, experienced another double victory in France at the Al Shaqab Challenge Tarbes-Ibos Endurance Rides, on July 30-31. The team pulled in victories in the 160km and the 125km races and the silver medal in the 125km event.
Abdulrahman Al Sulaitin was the gold medalist in the 125km races with a total time of 6:22:57.
In addition, Al Sulaitin set a new record for the 125km race for the history of the Tarbes-Ibos event at 19.58 km/hr, greatly surpassing the previous record of 19.21. The silver medal for the 125km race went to Al Shaqab team member Hassan Tahous Al Nuami at 6:30:14 with an average speed of 19.22 km/hr.
Capturing another 2011 victory, Faleh Nasser Bhugnaim collected gold in the 160km race in a total time of 9:05:01 and average speed of 17.61 km/hr, riding Amir.
The races were held in the Tarbes forest in Ibos, France. Just last week in France, the team had also achieved gold and silver medals in the junior and senior races.