Tonight on SAS Australia: Hell Week, the remaining nine recruits woke to a fourth day of the punishing, condensed version of the real SAS selection course.
Their first task was the daunting Fall and Brake, the ultimate test of trust in themselves, their partners and their equipment, from a 40 metre high platform.
Bodybuilder Bassim again attracted attention for all the wrong reasons, failing both attempts to brake his two oppos’ falls.
Dating coach Sarah’s lack of attention to detail with her kit then saw all recruits face a savage beasting in heavy mud. Sandy struggled due to a calf injury and was culled by Chief Instructor Ant Middleton who told her she could leave the course with her head held high.
“I still feel I had so much more to give, but I literally can’t stand on this leg,” said a devastated Sandy.
Ant expressed concern about the mindset of former Federal Police officer Gary, observing he was showing no emotion, no humour and appeared to just be surviving this process rather than embracing it.
Gary explained that his young stepson, who suffered from a very rare genetic disorder, had passed away 10 days ago.
“I made him a promise that I wouldn’t quit on trying to get better,” said Gary. “I’d go as far as I could, for as long as I could so he could be proud of his dad.”
Bassim again proved a liability during an arduous four kilometre team casualty haul, while surfer Mitch got roasted by DS Billy for his “pathetic” effort on the task.
Afterwards, Gary, feeling utterly depleted, decided to VW from the course, while tradie Luke got emotional talking about his relationship with his father and how that’s driven him to be hard on himself as a dad.
The DS then asked recruits to nominate the person who should be culled from the course, with the group unanimously choosing Bassim, saying it was “nothing personal”.
“I am definitely gutted but I knew it was slightly inevitable because of the slip ups I’ve made,” said Bassim. “But those slip ups I’ve learnt from so I wouldn’t change it for the rest of the world. What an amazing experience, it’s been life changing.”
