GODZone

Richie McCaw & Team PwC in 6th Place

Press Release / 05.03.2018

New Zealand’s rugged southwest coast is treating competitors to a true wilderness experience as the gruelling ten-day GODZone adventure race continues in Southland.

Day five of the 540km race has seen front-running teams slowly emerge from the southwest coastal track to arrive at Rarakau near the Humpridge Track.

An excited crowd gathered to watch as former All Black Captain Richie McCaw and his PwC team members Rob Nichol, Sarah Fairmaid and Bob McLachlan arrived at the transition area in the sixth position.

Team captain Rob Nichol says the course has been spectacular so far.

“We are feeling great about how the team is tracking and happy to be at TA3.The last section was long, and both Richie and Sarah ran out of food, so we are pleased to be here. Richie is slightly unsteady on his feet right now, but once we get some tucker into us everyone will be good to go," said Nichol.

The next stage is a 160km mountain bike leg through Rowallan Forest to Borland and Percy Saddle and over to West Arm on Lake Manapouri. Nichol says racing alongside other top Kiwi teams has been enjoyable and they are pleased with how the race is shaping up.

”At this point on the course, we just want to make the most of the good daylight. This next mountain bike leg has some tricky navigation through the Rowallan Forest so it will be good to get through that before nightfall.”

Nichol is suffering from swollen hands and the team have several scrapes and blisters from bushbashing, but they remain undeterred.

”So far, so good and we are looking forward to getting to final stages of the race particularly the trekking leg from the Freeman Burn on Lake Manapouri over to Lake Te Anau,” says Nichol.

Top 3 Teams

1st Swordfox

Brent Edwards, Ash Whitehead, Stuart Lynch, Georgia Whitla

2nd Yealands Family Wines

Chris Forne, Emily Forne, Dan Busch, Aaron Prince

3rd Bend Racing/Fear Society

Jason Magness, Chelsey Magness, Andy Magness, Adrian Braaksma