SUCCESS FOR SEAGATE AT GODZONE ADVENTURE
GODZone Day 5 from 100% PURE Racing on Vimeo.
New Zealand’s leading adventure racing team Seagate won the 2014 GODZone adventure early this morning making it three in a row at the event for the champion multisporters.
The decisive winners crossed the finish line in Kaikoura at 6.40am this morning approximately 89 hours and 36 minutes after starting on Saturday afternoon (March 8th).
Welcomed by a thrilled crowd of family, friends and fans plus race organisers, the team paddled through relatively calm conditions to land on the beach. Team leader Nathan Fa avae spoke highly of the 520 km course.
“ It was a very challenging course particularly Mt Tapu O Nuku because there is no easy way up there. There was a lot of blended terrain to travel through that we really enjoyed. It was a great journey and one we are very proud to have finished.”
Seagate team navigator Chris Forne was equally effusive about where the team have travelled over the past three and half days.
“ The highlight was the second trek over the Glenn Wye range and down to the river. It was soft underfoot and lovely bush and we travelled through most of it during daylight so some really good moments there. Even managed a few swims.”
Stuart Lynch loved the paddle through the Hurunui River.
“ It was a top canoe and very cool in the rapids and some nice surprising bounces further down as well.”
The GODZone win is a first for Seagate on the 2014 World Adventure Racing Series calendar and Nathan Fa avae says it was important to get it under their belt.
“ We came into this event with a collective goal to start the year on a positive note, take first place and send a clear message to other international competitors that we are a team to be respected.”
Race Directors Adam Fairmaid and Warren Bates congratulated the team on their success and Mr Bates said it was a text book win by the very strong foursome.
“ This is a signal that Seagate are back in form and lays down a challenge to others in the AR series. They raced so decisively from the get go and never let up pushing on at every point.”
The team were handed magnums of New Zealand brewed Moa Beer and South Island made Jimmy’s Pies which went down a treat.“ This could very well be the best pie I have ever eaten in my entire life,” said Sophie Hart, “ The Moa is much better than dirty old bubbly.”
As winners of the 2014 GODZone , team Seagate take home the coveted trophy and an entry in the Adventure Racing World Series Championships to be held in Ecuador in November, 2014
Seagate paddled into the beach at Kaikoura just after 6.40am to a round of applause from waiting friends, family and fans. First words from Nathan were
– Good Morning are you all here for some morning yoga?
Stu Lynch, winner at GODZone
Route Overview:
The GODZone team strongly believe in showcasing the very best of what New Zealand has to offer those looking for real adventure. Kaikoura provides a unique challenge with huge mountains juxtaposing a stunning, wildlife rich, coastline. Teams start by coasteering around the scenic headland (sharing some personal space with the local seals) before a sea kayak brings them back to the beach. The wilderness beckons with a tough bike section through Puhi Peaks to Waiautoa where teams will get their first sniff of the challenges ahead. Day two brings the mouth-watering prospect of climbing Mt Tapaeu-o-Uenuku, towering above the Clarence River at a shade under 10,000ft (2885m). An iconic bike ride through the Molesworth Road leads to the Glynn Wye trek which will all be about route choice and pinpoint navigation. This is followed by our biggest water adventure yet with a 100km paddle down the Hurunui River, taking in Grade 3+ rapids along the way, and teams camping overnight where they can. The last 4 sections of the race head north along the stunning Kaikoura coastline with navigation increasingly difficult – tired minds and bodies will see simple mistakes made and leaderboard positions lost. A final sea kayak into Kaikoura will see the teams complete a monumental challenge that will test them to the mental and physical limits.
