Less than a day after three Hawke's Bay shearers established a world tally record, rumours are flying of an early challenge already in the pipeline.
Shelford Wilcox, Kaylin Chrystal and his uncle, Errol Chrystal, shore 1347 ewes at remote Big Hill Station west of Hastings yesterday to set the previously unclaimed three-stand strongwool ewes record for eight hours.
Hawke’s Bay shearers, from left Kalin Chrystal, Errol Chrystal and Shelford Wilcox at Big Hill Station. Photo: Supplied
Some of the gossip in the wool shed yesterday was that a challenger was already lining up, Shearing Sports New Zealand spokesperson Doug Laing said.
"I imagine some people will talk about it over the next few days, and if they think they can access the sheep required - that's the biggie of course," Mr Laing said.
"In the 1980s you'd say you want to do the record tomorrow and someone would have the sheep available, but we haven't quite got those numbers available these days."
"Any challenger will have to come up with a fee, which I think yesterday was US$4,800, so - quite a bit of money involved for a start-off."