We’re back on top
DUNEDIN is once again a worldrecord holder.
Yes, those out for their Governmentmandated daily walk can add the world’s steepest street to their route.
Guinness World Records last night reversed its controversial decision to strip Baldwin St of its claim to fame, admitting its measuring method had been wrong.
The street was dethroned by Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, Wales, last July.
The backtrack was thanks to months of hard work by Dunedin surveyor Toby Stoff, who argued that because the recordsetting bid was measured on the inside verge of a curve, it greatly exaggerated Ffordd Pen Llech’s steepness and disadvantaged Baldwin St, which is straight.
Mr Stoff campaigned hard for his appeal, even travelling to Wales to measure the opposition himself.
This week Guinness said after checking it out, and getting expert opinions, Mr Stoff was right.
In an email to Mr Stoff, Guinness also said it would use the right methodology for all future record bids.
Saying Mr Stoff was happy with the result might be an understatement.
‘‘I was reading through it and I went ‘oh holy crap, you’re kidding me’,’’he said.
‘‘Then I went and did a lap of the house.’’
He was surprised by the result, admitting he thought his bid had only a onein10 chance of succeeding.
It was also a positive given the Covid19 situation.
‘‘Any little glimmer of sunshine is good.’’
He also felt for the people of Ffordd Pen
Llech, who he said were ‘‘really good people’’.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins called the decision ‘‘great news’’, and thanked Mr Stoff for his efforts.
‘‘In these tumultuous times there’s something strangely comforting in having things that are enduring,’’ he said.
‘‘It holds a place of pride in the city’s psyche and it’s helpful to be able to celebrate that.’’