Controversy Surrounds The Everest Race Upgrade

Racing Victoria officials are opposing the recent decision to grant The Everest a Group 1 status, claiming the announcement was made prematurely without proper approval from the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee. Despite claims from Racing Australia and NSW executives that the upgrade was confirmed, sources express concerns that this could undermine Australia’s reputation in the global racing community. Meanwhile, the search for Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine's remains on Mount Everest has yielded a significant discovery, with climbers finding a boot presumed to belong to Irvine, who went missing in 1924. The boot discovery has reignited interest in the historical mystery of whether Irvine and his fellow climber George Mallory reached the summit before their disappearance. The boot is now under the custody of the China Tibet Mountaineering Association, where DNA testing is underway. As The Everest approaches, the race will feature a mix of returning contenders and newcomers vying for the $20 million prize.