Shape up for The North Face Peak to Peak
Stan van Jaarsveld / 14.06.2007
As the long autumn draws to a close it's time for sporting men and women to start start waxing their skis, and getting in some winter training for 'The North Face Peak to Peak'.
After a successful change of dates last year, this fourteenth peak to peak will be held again on the 21st July. The event attracts multi-sporters from across the South Island drawn to the challenge of racing from the Remarkables ski area, down through Queenstown and up to Coronet Peak ski area, travelling by skis or snowboard, mountain bike, kayak and foot.
The race starts high on the Remarkables ski field with a 2km ski or snow board down to the Remarkables access road. A 17km mountain bike down the road takes competitors to the edge of Lake Wakatipu in Frankton for a 7km paddle into Queenstown Bay. From downtown Queenstown the final two race stages are a 9km run to the Coronet Alpine Hotel and then a 9km bike ride up to the finish line at Coronet Peak.
Race director Geoff Hunt says the event is aimed at not only the accomplished multisport athlete but with the distances achievable by all, he encourages people at all levels of fitness to enter.
"If the distances are too daunting to enter as an individual, grab your friends or work colleagues and enter as a team. For first timers, pulling a team together is a great way to experience The North Face Peak to Peak. Not only is it great fun on the day for teams cheering their members on but you may find it easier to get out and train together."
Competition is fierce for the team trophies and many corporates and businesses use the race as a team-building exercise or a healthy social outing. Teams can comprise two people or as many as five (with each person doing only one leg of the race).
The North Face Peak to Peak rewards competitors with a sense of achievement. "Standing on the start line at the Remarkables and being able to see the finish line in the distance on Coronet Peak may seem daunting, but creates a sense of determination to complete the course," comments Hunt.
Growing in popularity each year the race last year attracted a new record field of 76 individuals and 78 teams. Past serious competitors have included Steve Gurney, Richard Ussher, Rachel Barton, Haydn Key, Kristina Anglem and Eric Billoud.
Race categories for individuals include male, female and veteran. Teams can enter the open division or female, male, mixed, business house and veteran. Depending on high school entries, a new category might be created for student aged 16 to 18 years old.
The North Face Peak to Peak is also supported by Queenstown Night and Day, Queenstown Gym, K2 Skis, Smith Goggles, Summerfields Frankton Pharmacy, R & R Sport, Dalbello, Leppin Sport, More FM, NZ MultiSport, Kawarau Jet and Peak Projects and nzski.com
Entries are available at all good sports stores, sponsor outlets and the Southern Traverse office.
Competitors this year will be able to access the new web site at www.southerntraverse.com/peak2peak. With regular competitor updating, news and features, a link to The North Face New Zealand web site, entry forms and photo galleries from previous events.
