Expedition race to be held in April

The first unsupported, expedition-style adventure race to be held in New Zealand in 22 years was launched in Queenstown yesterday, with the event already invited to join the Adventure Racing World Series.

The GODZone Adventure race will be held next April 7 to 14, adventure racing company 100% Pure Racing announced.

Former World Adventure Racing champion Warren Bates and past Southern Traverse winner Adam Fairmaid have teamed up to attract the world's top racers to Queenstown to compete.

"The Southern Traverse was a race that many aspired to complete during its 15-year-long tenure and it's surely no coincidence that New Zealand hosted the very first Raid Gauloises and then later, Eco-Challenge," Fairmaid said.

Competitors in teams of four would travel day and night, navigating, trekking, mountain-biking and kayaking, passing through a series of mandatory checkpoints, the details of which would not be disclosed until race time.

Bates, a veteran of more than 25 international expedition-length races, said he was delighted with the support GODZone Adventure had received from top New Zealand sports people.

"Our event patron is Steve Gurney, a man who has done it all and, in his words, he believes these races have a tendency to leave an indelible mark on the racers of old, new and the future."

Organisers also have the support of Richard Ussher, Wayne Oxenham, Kristina Angelm and Keith Murray who make up an advisory board.

The winners will travel to the French Alps next year to challenge for the crown of World Champions.

"National and international competitors see New Zealand as the holy grail of adventure racing so to come here and win is the ultimate challenge and then to attend the AR World Championships and represent GODZone Adventure is an exceptional draw card."

National and international interest is expected.

Entries close on March 1.