The race involves trekking, kayaking, canoeing and mountain biking in the mountains around Wanaka.
It begins tomorrow and takes between four and seven days.
The team of Richard Anderson (left rear) , Simon Bowden (right rear), Jo Williams and Bob McLachlan are up against world champion Team Seagate and first-ranked Spanish-Brazilian team Columbia Vidaraid.
Anderson said the team was aiming to improve after finishing second by a ''considerable margin'' last year.
The course for the event will be released tomorrow.