Expedition Africa
Merrell Adventure Addicts Ready for Expedition Africa
Press Release / 10.05.2011
Monday, 9th May see’s the start of South Africa’s first Expedition length Adventure Race for almost three years. 21 teams from across the country and 1 international team from the United Kingdom, will all be descending on the picturesque Western Cape coastal town of Hermanus for the Non-Stop 500km Expedition Africa. The MERRELL Adventure Addicts, arguably one of South Africa’s top adventure racing units will be one of the teams lining up at sunrise on Monday morning hoping to come away with the race honours.
The MERRELL Adventure Addicts have had a successful period over the past few years, competing in numerous Adventure Racing World Series Races in Brazil, Spain and Australia. This vast international racing experience will stand the team in good stead in the Expedition Africa. The team will also be using this race as a build up for the Adventure Racing World Championships which will be staged in Tasmania, Australia later this year.
They have been competing together over the past four years and in a sport where teamwork and team dynamics are essential, the foursome have developed a detailed understanding of one another and knitted together to form a powerful combination.
The team is led by captain and navigator Graham Bird, and for him it will all be about focusing the team at the right moment. Stalwart Hanno Smit, one of the original war horses, will be at his side, adding quiet determination and experience to the mix. Tatum Prins, the “lady� of the team, brings true grit, dedication, commitment and motivation to the team. Completing the foursome is Donovan Sims, an adventure racer at the top of his game and who is ready to lay down life and limb to help the team make it to the finish.
MERRELL Adventure Addicts have had a focused build up to this event, with the individual members all coming off strong performances at the 260km GARMIN Wartrail in late March, where Graham Bird was victorious in the three day multi-discipline event and Hanno and Donovan finishing third and fourth respectively.
With the 500km Expedition Africa being one of the teams primary goals for the year, the team feels it is in a great position to challenge for win.
“We as a team have come together with more focus and determination than ever before. We have developed a deep understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, forming an immense bond that will allow us to compete well above our capabilities�, says Graham Bird. “We are all looking forward to racing on home soil and experience the wonderful countryside that our beautiful country offers.�
Their sponsorship deal with MERRELL has enabled the team to focus their energy on racing rather than procuring sponsorship. With MERRELL’s tag line “Let’s Get Outside�, the partnership with the Adventure Addicts is a match made in heaven with the team focusing their lives on the outdoors.
Other team sponsors include PVM Nutritional Science, Giant Bicycles, Island Tribe Sunscreen, Squirt Bicycle Lube, Glider Eyewear and Black Diamond head torches.See All Event Posts
