Conditions challenging for adventure race

More than 800 women rafted, hiked, biked and orienteered their way around Glenorchy during the 19th Spring Challenge, established as the first women’s adventure race.

A total of 91 three-person teams competed in the three-hour event, 146 in the six-hour and 31 teams in the nine-hour event on Saturday.

The course was revealed only on Friday night. It was the first time it had been held at the head of the lake, and just the second time in the event’s history it had been held in the Wakatipu.

Organised by Jodie and Nathan Fa’avae, this year’s course proved challenging after last week’s weather left much of the course sodden, muddy and slippery, particularly on trails and creek crossings.

While the weather cleared in time and dried sections just enough to allow racing, many stages remained physically testing and slow going, the organisers said.

"After a week of difficult weather and planning challenges, it was a huge relief to see race day unfold as such a treat.

"The sun, the stunning scenery and the energy of the teams made it a truly unforgettable day," Mrs Fa’avae said.

All teams started at Chinaman’s Bluff, rafting 6.5km down the Dart River, after which there was a 2km run to Paradise, where the orienteering stage challenged teams with a mix of forest and open-land navigation.

From there, the three-hour teams biked around Diamond Lake, down the Rees Valley and followed river tracks to the finish line at the Glenorchy waterfront.

The six-hour teams entered Mount Earnslaw Station, riding around Mount Alfred through the Dart Valley, then hiked Temple Peak Station, climbing high on to the range and traversing Davidson’s Creeks before descending river tracks to Glenorchy.

The nine-hour teams faced the ultimate challenge with extra steep climbs on Mount Alfred, a descent to Diamond Lake, crossing the Rees River on rafts, and then riding to Temple Peak for a hiking stage before following the same river tracks to the finish.

Mr Fa’avae said while he did not design courses to "break people", he placed a lot of value on preserving the integrity of adventure racing.

"We work hard to strike the perfect balance, a course that is achievable, genuinely rewarding, and tests every skill and ounce of teamwork.

"Adventure racing should challenge, but also inspire."

Mrs Fa’avae said next year’s 20th anniversary event would return to its birthplace of Hanmer Springs. Entries open on October 1.

— Allied Media