Largest Field For Orion Health Godzone As Entries Close

New Zealand / 28.01.2013

With just under six weeks to go to the start of the second chapter of Orion Health GODZone, the 100 % PURE Racing organisers have released the full team List and announced that the event is sold out.

Co Director Warren Bates says the event is on track for its largest field. “The response after last year’s inaugural event has been overwhelming with some highly competitive teams signing up almost immediately after race finish.”

The expedition style adventure race has attracted a strong showing from New Zealand with teams spread far and wide across both the North and South Islands. The majestic appeal of racing in New Zealand’s pristine wilderness has once again proven to be a big lure for international competitors with 40% of all participants’ overseas nationals. There is also a real international flavour with 12 overseas teams representing Scandinavia, Europe, Australia, North America and South America.

Thirty-five teams will hit the start line on March 10th with no space for any more due to the constraints of available boats. Mr Bates says they are still receiving entry enquiries and have created a waiting list for teams while individual racers are being encouraged to post their availability on Facebook.

“ Our team list includes the full spectrum of abilities and age groups with plenty looking for a chance to stand on the podium. We are particularly excited to see adventure racing legends like Aaron Prince, Neil Jones, Jim Cotter and Petri Forsman return to racing in New Zealand.”

Chapter 2 of the Orion Health GODzone is shaping up to be a highly competitive event on this years multisport calendar with a host of strong teams looking to unseat reigning champions, Team Seagate, from New Zealand.

“ The 2011 World Champions, Thule Adventure Team, are already training in the Southern Hemisphere and are preparing for a big showdown with their major rivals, Seagate. This will bring some spectacular racing at the front of the field which of course will all play out on our live website for everyone to follow.

Swedish team AXA-adidas, Australian team Macpac and Brasilia Multisport Team are also pipped to be in contention for placings and Mr Bates says there are some high end New Zealand racers mixing it up.

“ Our race has some challenging New Zealand navigation and so national racers like Jim Cotter, who heads a team which includes Sia Svenson who raced in the team that finished second in last year’s event, will have a good chance. Also Neil Jones’ team will have a wealth of strength and experience on its side and many in New Zealand will be intrigued to follow the progress of new team mates Jess Simson, Aaron Prince, Stu Lynch and Dougal Allan.”

All the action of the second Orion Health GODZone will unfold on March 8th, 2013 with a ground breaking online live coverage platform providing unrivalled viewing around the world.

A full list of registered teams can be found at http://www.godzoneadventure.com/resources/team-list/

To find out more about Orion Health GODZone visit http://www.godzoneadventure.com or http://www.facebook.com/godzoneadventure