It’s episode two of SAS Australia 2023 and the 13 remaining recruits face a dangerous run-and-jump extraction drill, jumping into coastal waters before scaling 10 metres to a hovering Black Hawk helicopter – which is an absolute no from me.
During the drill, disaster strikes for retired NRL star Boyd Cordner who suffered an excruciating pectoral tear before revealing the anguish of early retirement to thwart the onset of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
“I had days there where I’d break down crying. Just being in the media nearly every day at that time and everyone knowing your business, it was, yeah, it was all a bit too much for me.”
“At the end of the day, it was my decision. I didn’t know what the next head knock would bring. It’s quite a scary thought when you think about the long-term effects that concussion or TBIs [traumatic brain injuries] could have.”
Boyd was then forced to medically withdraw because unlike Jason during episode one (lol), Boyd had actual reasons to leave. In fact, Dr Dan revealed that his injury would soon require surgery and further tasks could cause permanent damage.
Lindy Klim and Cassie Sainsbury VW
As the course begins to take its toll on everyone, “Balinese Princess” Lindy Klim, in a burst of honesty, chooses to VW (voluntarily withdraw). She revealed that the selection process demanded more physical strength than she could muster.
“I did think I would really struggle being completely out of my comfort zone. I hate being dirty, and I hate sand and I hate camping. I feel quite chuffed that I managed to get through two days, so yeah I feel good.”
Then, during a nail-biting experiment to conquer panic within a treacherous maze of underwater pipelines, Cassie Sainsbury, the notorious drug smuggler, found herself in the hot seat and ended up being the third candidate to throw in the towel at VW.
“It is probably one of the first times in a long time that I feel proud of myself in the sense of facing everything I didn’t ever want to see again,” she said. “When I leave the SAS course ‘Cocaine Cassie’ dies there. That’s it. She doesn’t follow me around anymore.”
Craig Challen’s interrogation
With his unparalleled expertise in navigating tight, submerged tunnels, Craig Challen, the heroic Thai cave rescuer, fearlessly took on the challenge of entering the pipeline. However, even with his impressive qualifications, he made the fateful mistake of going face down instead of face up in search of the crucial air pocket.
Later, during his interrogation, he recounted the story behind the historic saving of 13 lives and how it made him feel.
“To get all of them out at the end, yeah, it’s just like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders. To have a one hundred per cent success rate and all of them out alive, even as I sit here today, I still can’t really believe that it worked out that well.”
Want more recaps? Check out our SAS Australia 2023 recaps below!
SAS Australia 2023 continues on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7.30 pm on 7 and 7Plus.
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