Home News Opinion Videos Blogs Features Family Notices Classifieds Photos Events Clubs Advertising Contact
Sport Focus on the Land Entertainment
Editorials Columns Letters
News Market Place
Random draw was out of this world
Friday, September 21, 2012 • Mark Peters
BUYING a hammer has nailed a trip across the world and to the edge of outer space for Gisborne man Nicky Pratt and flatmate Marcus Carroll.

“It was kind of random,” says Mr Pratt.

“I went to buy a tool from Protector Safety and emailed an entry into a draw for a trip to Russia.

“A couple in Australia won and I won the New Zealand part of the competition.”

The terms of the competition meant the Australian couple took the grand prize of a one-week, luxury trip to Russia — and the flight into the stratosphere.

“One of the Australians could not go on the flight so they both pulled out . . . and I took their place.”

Mr Pratt had told his flatmate if he won, he would take him.

“I was only joking at the time because I didn’t think I’d win.”

The pair’s “most excellent adventure” begins with check-in at a five-star hotel in Moscow, a visit to Red Square and a tour of the city’s cathedrals.

Then they will be strapped into the cockpit of a MIG 29 fighter jet and propelled into the stratosphere at twice the speed of sound. The hour-long flight includes aerobatics such as barrel rolls.

“You have to wear a pressure suit otherwise the G-forces squish all your organs,” says Mr Pratt.

“The flight will take us as high as you can get in a jet. I’ve checked it out on YouTube. It’s just before outer space, but you see the curve of the Earth, the blue globe below and black space and stars above. To go further than the stratosphere you need a rocket.”

On their return to Earth, the space-men will be given a certificate and photograph of themselves and the pilot to prove they have the “right stuff”.

“I’m real excited,” says Mr Pratt.
ROCKET MEN: Gisborne men Marcus Carroll (left) and Nicky Pratt reach for the sky . . . literally. Mr Pratt won a ride to the edge of outer space in a Russian fighter jet and will take his flatmate to share the most excellent adventure. Picture by Paul Rickard
Comments
ex-coastie
03:59 p.m. Saturday, Sep 22, 2012
Congrats! Look forward to hearing more and seeing the photos of the 'space-men'.
Poll

June 21 marks the 100-day deadline for TV to go digital. Are you digital yet?
Yes
No, not yet
Doesn't apply to me
Send in your
News
Letters
Columns
Events
Clubs
Classifieds
Poll suggestions
Explore The Gisborne Herald
News Editorial Features Events
Sport Letters to the Editor Family Notices Clubs
Focus on the Land Columns Classifieds Advertising
News Features Polls Photos Contact
64 Gladstone Road, PO Box 1143, Gisborne, New Zealand | Ph: +64 6 869 0600 | Fax: +64 6 869 0643 (editorial) | Fax: +64 6 869 0644 (advertising) | News Hotline: 0800 NEWSLINE (639 754) | info@gisborneherald.co.nz Copyright © The Gisborne Herald