ADVENTURE RACING

Five Day Count Down to GODZone Adventure Race in Wanaka

By GODZone Adventure



Lake Wanaka will be setting the scene this week for hundreds of adventure racing competitors arriving for the start of the seven day GODZone event this Saturday (Feb 28th).

With over half the field filled with New Zealand teams it will be the internationals arriving first including world ranked number one Team Vidaraid who will be staying at The Moorings in Wanaka.

“ Vidaraid have described coming to New Zealand as entering the lions den and it will be a unique opportunity for them to take on the strongest field in the sport and for the Kiwis to benchmark themselves against the best,” says Race Director Warren Bates.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 24th) the first ever-Japanese adventure racing team to compete in GODZone, Real Discovery led by Diasuke Minami, will fly into the resort.

“ The Japanese may find the mountains in and around Wanaka quite a challenge over the 540km course but they are very determined to discover the real wilderness aspect of GODZone,” says Bates.

British team GB Lakesmultisport.com led by Anthony Emmet are planning a few days paddling local rivers and lakes in preparation for what lies ahead and Australian competitors Team Bearhunt led by Charlotte Peterson and Team Stromlonauts led by Kim Gillfillan also arrive tomorrow.

“ We have a great mix of nationalities this year and that helps to grow the sport and the GODZone profile internationally. I am particularly pleased to see the Irish team Moxie coming back for more this year. They had an injury in 2014 but still managed to make it to the finish line and so there is unfinished business for this particular team,” says Bates.

Competitors will assemble at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Thursday night for the official opening of GODZone where Lake Wanaka Tourism General Manager James Helmore will welcome them to the area.

“ We have had incredible support from Wanaka in general and will be utilising some of the local alpine industry leaders during the seven days of racing. They have the knowledge and expertise to make GODZone a truly remarkable experience for all the teams.”

Friday morning the teams will have all their gear checked over by officials in preparation for Saturday with the location and course details kept under wraps until a couple of hours before the race start.

“ The element of surprise in where the teams will travel is very much an important part of the journey and one we think adds an element of intensity to this adventure,” says Bates.

Photo Caption: Neil Jones and Kate Callaghan from Team Kathmandu paddling the Hurunui River during the 2014 GODZone out of Kaikoura.

For more information on team entries go to http://godzoneadventure.com/team-list/  or the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/godzoneadventure

GODZone Fact Box
When: February 28 to March 7, 2015
Where: Lake Wanaka
What: The worlds largest adventure race running non stop, 24/ 7 over 7 days
Charity: Cure Kids has been chosen as the recipient charity of GODZone 2015
Text to Donate: Text GODZONE to 933 to donate $3 to Cure Kids.  For more information check out  http://www.curekids.org.nz  (data charges apply).
Affiliated: GODZone is an official member of the AR World Series and a qualifier for the AR World Championships.
Coverage: Watch all the action with live GPS tracking, video, photos & news at http://www.godzoneadventure.com