Kiwi super-couple dominate Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse

It proved a family double when Richard and wife Elina Ussher dominated the inaugural Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse race from Lake Waikaremoana to Wairoa yesterday.

Richard Ussher (Nelson), rated the world's best multisport athlete, took the men’s title in dominant fashion, beating 2004 Coast to Coast Champion, George Christison (Napier) by 17 minutes. In third place was James Hunter from Taupo.

His wife Elina took out the women's race was by a whopping 23 minutes from Sophie Hart (Ohope) by 23 minutes at the end of the two-day race. The former Finnish adverture racing star finished a remarkable seventh individual overall, just over an hour behind her husband.

The Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse is a 196km race with the first day comprising a 15km mountain bike, 14km kayak and tough 45km run, split into two legs, that includes the spectacular climb over the Panekiri Range.

Today, competitors completed a 60km mountain bike from Tuai to the Waiau River at Ardkeen, a further 25km mountain bike across private land to the Wairoa River, a 26km kayak from Frasertown to the mouth of the Wairoa River and 5km run to the final at the historic Wairoa Lighthouse where a street party was put on by the local Wairoa community.
Ussher dominated both days of competition – leading from start in absolutely stunning conditions.

“This is an awesome event. It is probably the hardest two-day event I have done but man – running up on that track yesterday was just magic,” Ussher said.

Christison was happy with his performance and will be back next year.

“Definitely I’ll be back. It is on my backdoor step so I’ve got no excuse not to be back really. It has been an amazing couple of days. The highlight for me is seeing how the local community has embraced this event.”

Ussher agrees the community has added a special feeling around the event and he will be back next year if his racing schedule allows.

“I’d love to be back next year. It has been a really great race. The public came out and lined the street for the last 5km run today and the atmosphere down here at the finish line is just awesome.”

Ussher was welcomed to the finish line at Wairoa with a Haka performed by a group of Wairoa community children.

Elina Ussher was thrilled with her performance.

“Today was amazing. That mountain bike was a bit of a grind but it was worth it. I had a great time and am very pleased to take the win of course.”

The Lake to Lighthouse event was devised by the new Wairoa Community Trust, formed to help establish a number of initiatives to create a more positive perception of the region as well as develop opportunities.
Event director, Chris Joblin was absolutely thrilled how the event has gone for everybody involved.

“We couldn’t be happier. The weather has been amazing. We have had such great feedback from athletes and the local community has opened their homes, their land and their hearts to the event.”

The event is not only the newest event on the New Zealand multisport calendar, it is also the richest with a $50,000 prize pool.

Results: Top 10 individual males;
Day one / Day two / Total time (Hours: Minutes: Seconds)

1. Richard Ussher (Nelson) 7:04:13 / 6:14:30 / 13:18:43
2. George Christison (Napier) 7:13:19 / 6:31:58 / 13:45:17
3. James Hunter (Taupo) 8:05:53 / 7:20:33 / 15:26:26
4. Rick Martin (Napier) 8:22:34 / 7:05:58 / 15:28:32
5. Marcel Hagener (Ohakune) 8:18:15 / 7:13:15 / 15.31.30
6. Malte Hagener (Wanganui) 8:29:46 / 7:13:15 / 15:43:01
7. Jeremy Webber (Gisborne) 8:41:02 / 7:11:10 / 15:52:12
8. Phillip Morreau (Auckland) 8:37:40 / 7:25:11 / 16:02:51
9. Shaun Portegys (Alexandra) 9:56:23 / 7:25:16 / 16:21:39
10. Kevin Osborne (Hastings) 9:23:38 / 7:38:12 / 17:01:50

Top 2 females;
Day one / Day two / Total time (Hours: Minutes: Seconds)

1. Elina Ussher (Nelson) 8:29:55 / 7:21:57 / 15:51:12
2. Sophie Hart (Ohope) 8:37:45 / 7:36:00 / 16:13:45