2012 Coast To Coast Winners Richard And Elina Ussher Top The Line Up For Orion Health Godzone Adventure

Leading New Zealand adventure racers, Richard and Elina Ussher, who made history this weekend as the first couple ever to win the Coast to Coast longest day category in the same year, will be the headlining team at the Orion Health GODZone Adventure in Queenstown this Easter.

New Zealand’s first true expedition race in 22 years has attracted a strong showing of top adventure racing teams from around the world with 40% of the field international.
Team Subway Adventure Sport led by Richard Ussher  including Elina Ussher, Braden Currie and Sam Clarke will be serious contenders against key teams from New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

As a member of the GODZone Adventure advisory board alongside other sporting legends Steve Gurney, Wayne Oxenham and Keith Murray, Richard Ussher is excited about top level adventure racing returning to New Zealand.

“ From what I have heard about this new event, it sounds like we will be in for a real treat come April this year. New Zealand has a proud tradition of adventure racing and hopefully this race will be inspirational to a new generation.”

With just one day until entries close to the inaugural event details have been released about the current line-up of teams. Ten nations are represented in the field line up from New Zealand, Australia, Europe, North America and Asia  with the largest number outside of Kiwi teams being Australian.

This includes highly experienced Kiwi team, Seagate, led by past Adventure Racing World Champion Nathan Faavae with Sophie Hart, Chris Forne and Trevor Voyce.  Naming sponsors Orion Health’s Adventure team has a strong competitive background with Lisa Godfrey, Sarah and Sonya Clarke being led by Wayne Oxenham and Queenstown team R&R Sport see local racers Haydn Key and Baz Smith join up with Mat Woods and team leader, Fleur Pawsey.

The Australian contingent is led by elite racing entry, Team Blackheart.com  with Rob Preston at the helm and there is a smattering of mixed teams with representation from Singapore, Malaysia, Denmark, Ireland, Britain and Germany.

Orion Health GODZone Adventure Co Race Director, Warren Bates, says the calibre of racers is second to none and impressive for the events first year.

“ The international teams are so keen to compete in this country and while some will just be hoping to make it across the finish line, I think we will have a real race on our hands with the top teams that have entered.”

Entries to the 2012 Orion Health GODZone Adventure close at 9am on the 14th February. For more information visit http://www.godzoneadventure.com  or
http://www.facebook.com/godzoneadventure

A full list of registered teams can be found at http://www.godzoneadventure.com/team-list/