Southern Traverse Off to the West Coast
Rob / 22.03.2004
Race Directors Geoff Hunt and Pascale Lorre announced the West Coast Development Trust has successfully bid to host the race. \"The opportunity to run the Southern Traverse on the West Coast of the Southern Alps is fantastic,\" says Hunt. \"We will be returning to our roots when we hold the race back in New Zealand\'s wilderness. The last few events have been urban based and we know the athletes will welcome the challenge of the West Coast.\"
The six day race will start at a yet to be confirmed location on November 15th and finish on November 20th. Entries open on April 5th and as usual there will be interest from teams all around the world. 50 places are available and teams are selected after a review process to ensure they meet the criteria for the race. It’s not an event for the inexperienced.
\"The competitors will be blown away by the West Coast and the variety it offers,\" says Hunt. \"There\'s a real mix of bush and rainforest, wild beaches and rivers, alpine passes and stunning scenery.\" And Hunt knows the area well as his links go back to the 1980s when, as a young entrepreneur, he pioneered rafting on the Landsborough River.
\"That was incredibly exciting, and the trips we provided were so different to anything else on the market at the time. It will be amazing to be back on the Coast again and I’m looking forward to designing this year\'s course, and seeing some new territory first hand.\"
West Coast Development Trust Chief executive Mike Trousselot said; “International media coverage of the Southern Traverse makes this a fantastic opportunity to promote the West Coast of the Southern Alps - in return, we\'re providing a stunning scenic backdrop that is literally unique.\"
\"We believe the region will provide the ultimate challenge for contestants as they race through our rugged terrain, beautiful lakes and native rainforest. With its five national and world heritage parks, the West Coast will draw contestants into some of the most spectacular and unspoilt landscapes in the world. This race is all about taking competitors to the limit and beyond and that\'s something the West Coast specialises in.\"
With a resident population of just 32,000 people, the West Coast regularly caters for over one million visitors a year, so the facilities are excellent.
Last year\'s Southern Traverse attracted 31 teams with a good mix of internationals from the U.K., Russia, United States, France, Canada, New Caledonia, Denmark, Australia and Korea. The Kiwis were well represented with Team Icebreaker Bridgedale, led by veteran multi-sporter Murray Thomas winning the 2004 title.
Entries for the 2004 Southern Traverse opens on April 5 at 9.00am (NZ Standard Time) and registrations can be made on line at www.southerntraverse.com
or by contacting the Southern Traverse office direct on 00 64 3 441 8215.
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