The former All Blacks captain will again take on the tandem section alongside long-time friend Rob Nicol, with the pair looking for a complete performance this year after being blighted by nausea and severe cramps during their two previous crossings from Kumara to New Brighton.
“We’d just like to have a year where both Rob and I feel good and healthy at the same time, so we can see how we can actually go,” said McCaw, who still finished second to Josh Harris and David Slater last year.
McCaw was famously forced to consume baby food two years ago after the 40-year-old fell ill the night before the start of the race, Nichol also struggled with leg cramps in 2020.
“Like every year, we are going out to do our thing and not get too caught up in who else is there, but we are both competitive and there certainly are some talented athletes entered this year."
McCaw's opposition next weekend includes fellow retired loose forward Josh Blackie, a member of the gold medal-winning New Zealand sevens team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, who is teaming up with his brother Adam.
Wanaka's Bob McLachlan and renowned multisporter Flavio Vianna, who regularly combine with McCaw and Nichol in four-strong adventure races also loom as stiff competition.
“They’re both a bit bigger than Flavio and me so hopefully we can get away from them in the mountain run. I think they’ll have the better of us on the bike, but wouldn’t it be pretty cool if it comes down to a sprint finish at New Brighton," McLachlan said.
Blackie tackled the event for the second time, having completed the two-day individual in 2018.
“I really enjoyed the experience then and have wanted to come back and have another crack.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie and being able to get out and train with some mates for an event like this.”
Blackie worked for Nichol at the Rugby Players’ Association following his retirement from a 15-year rugby playing career, which included time at the Blues, Highlanders and Kobe Steelers in Japan.
“Keeping fit is really important to me, otherwise I’m a little worried I’ll start to feel all the bumps and bruises from my playing days,” he said.
“Rob and Richie have a fair bit more experience than Adam and me at this sort of stuff, but it’ll be fun out there keeping each other honest.”
There are 76 teams entered in the tandem section, which involves duos running, cycling (on separate bikes) and paddling in a tandem kayak to complete the 243km trek.
The Coast to Coast is on February 12-13. Watch it live here.
