The Longest Day section of the Coast to Coast, which stars at Kumara Beach tomorrow at 6am, is shaping up to be a thriller.
In the race for the open women's crown, Jess Simson may be an early favourite, but will have a battle on her hands in order to record back-to-back victories.
Among the leading contenders are fellow Wanaka-based athlete Simone Maier and two-time champion Elina Ussher (Nelson).
All three women are highly regarded in world adventure-racing circles and well aware of what is required to be first on the beach at New Brighton tomorrow evening.
All three can hold their own over the cycling stages, but Maier could hold Simson on the alpine run, and the race could be decided on the 70km kayak stage down the Wamakiriri River.
Simson's team-mate in the successful Team New Zealand Adventure Racing squad in China last year, Braden Currie, is a hot favourite to win a third straight Longest Day title.
Currie should have the ability to hold off what are expected to be strong challenges from Sam Manson and Sam Clark.
