By MATT NICHOLLS
SPELLING wiz Ben Ridges will today put his skills to the test against the best and brightest primary school students in Sydney.
The Martin’s Gully Primary School student is hoping third time’s the charm after making it to the state final in 2011 and 2012, where he finished in the top 10 on both occasions.
Last year, somewhat ironically, it was the word aggrieved that knocked the Armidale student out of the running.
“That’s one thing about the competition, you’ll never forget the spelling of a word you get wrong,” Ben said.
The grade six student is an avid lover of cars and plans to be a motoring journalist in his adult life.
Ben said there was no trick to his success as a speller, but his parents said he was reading at an early age and is regularly tested at home.
Should he win this afternoon, Ben will be broadcast on ABC Radio and will take home a Samsung Galazy tablet.
Joining him in Sydney will be Ben Venue Primary School student Zenden Grieves, who was runner-up to Ben in the New England finals.
Zenden will compete in the junior division, with the same prize up for grabs, if he is successful.
