Manjimup Cherry Pip Spitting 2008

The GlobeVista Australasian Cherry Pip Spitting Competition was held again on the 13th of December in the main street of Manjimup. The Cherry Ambassadors had a warm up spit, followed by a celebrity spit off before the serious spitting began.

Jon Doust and his intrepid assistant Wyatt Frederick Nixon-Lloyd got the crowd pumped up before a group of contestants began spitting their pips for a chance to represent Manjimup in the Cromwell cherry pip competition in New Zealand next year. Amongst this years contestants were some of last years spitters and one unsuspecting German tourist.

Sadly the two time Australasian Pip Spit winner Michael Robertson lost his crown in Cromwell and was replaced by an equal engaging fellow Mike Bassett. Mike came face to face with his Manjimup nemesis Mark Vitler who was battling a stomach wog (fine excuse) and nearly didn't make the event at all.

This years contestants included Beven Humphry, Callum Raper, Clayton Ellis, Adam Buckley, Jo Perry, Paul Blei, Craig McSharer, Mark Vitler (Local Champ)and Mike Bassett (NZ Champ).

So who took out this years Australasian Cherry Pip Spitting Competition?

Mike Bassett humbled his competitors with a winning spit of 13.3m on his very first attempt to retain his Australasian crown. Craig McSharer was the best of the locals and he will fly to New Zealand next year to try and restore some pride at the Cromwell Cherry Pip Spitting Competition.