BMW has selected the members of the all-female GS Trophy team. Stephanie Bouisson from France, Amy Harburg from Australia and Morag Campbell from South Africa will go on to compete in the 2016 International GS Trophy in Southeast Asia.
A worldwide search led to 119 applications, which were whittled down to 10 hopefuls. Those riders were then sent to the Country Trax Off-Road Riding Academy in South Africa to represent a wide range of countries including the UK, Spain, Iceland, USA, Canada, Brazil and Thailand. The two-day trials were virtually identical to the South Africa ‘national’ qualifying final recently held at the same venue.
Even the accommodation provided a challenge, with competitors needing to pitch their tent against the clock. Both days saw a variety of riding challenges in both day and night, along with interviews and more. Enduro skills were tested including riding through deep sand, and taking on challenges like a see-saw, log-jump, deep ruts and more.
Besides deciding the final three to compete in the 2016 GS International GS Trophy, the event also saw a sense of camaraderie develop among all of the riders.
“I did the GS Trophy France qualifier event last May, and some time after this, my friends told me to try to apply for the chance of a place at this new women’s qualifying event. I thought ‘why not’ because I wanted to experience South Africa. I was really surprised to get through and was really looking forward to a great new adventure, making new friends and riding over here. To have actually won the qualifying event is incredible for me and I’m very proud to be representing all the lady riders around the world at the International GS Trophy in Thailand next year.” said Stephanie Bouisson.
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