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New Zealand’s most acclaimed adventure racing world champions, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, Stu Lynch and Simone Maier have joined forces to race Chapter 12 of One NZ GODZONE this November as Team Rab.

The elite all-star team has collectively competed at every chapter of New Zealand’s premier expedition race, One NZ GODZONE, to date, with Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, and Stu Lynch members of the most victorious team, Avaya (formerly Seagate), with captain Nathan Fa’avae (now retired).

Chris Forne is unmatched at One NZ GODZONE, having forged an impressive legacy, winning ten GODZONE champion trophies. He has won seven AR world championships and Eco Challenge Fiji.

Forne says he’s looking forward to One NZ GODZONE in Marlborough for both navigational challenges and racing over fresh terrain.

“Some good navigation is obviously one of the things I get most enthusiastic about at this expedition-length event. I prefer the longer stages, especially when the pack rafting might be a combo of paddling and trekking – that’s always quite fun.”

“Sophie is obviously excited to be racing in Marlborough as her home area, and I have not done much up there, so I am keen to explore that part of New Zealand in more detail,” says Forne. “From what I have seen, there is quite a bit of bush, which, from my perspective, is great for navigation, and water of various forms has the potential to set an excellent course.”

Forne has raced twice with five-time Coast to Coast champion Simone Maier, winning the AR World Champs in Paraguay in 2023 along with Stu Lynch and Nathan Fa’avae as team Avaya. He also won GODZONE Chapter 8 alongside Maier, Emily Wilson and Marcel Hagener in 2019, and says the mixed team format works well.

“Having a team that you have a good connection with, like Sophie, Stu and Simone, does make a difference to how enthusiastic you are to race and what you get out of it,” says Forne. “ Having raced with Sophie and Simone separately before, it will be fun to race all together. We’re all at similar levels, and it’s more rewarding when you have that sort of bond.”

Sophie Hart is one of the most successful elite women on the global adventure racing circuit, having won GODZONE seven times, five AR world championships, and Eco Challenge Fiji.

“I think when you’re in a world champion team and you’re leading the race, there can be a lot of pressure, but I enjoy racing with Chris and Stu and am looking forward to getting the team back together this time with Simone Maier,” says Sophie. “We have a rough plan of how things might go, but you have to just think on your feet and, depending on how the race goes, hope for the best.”

PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust spokesperson Rob Nichol says having the four greats of this adventure racing generation race together as Team Rab at One NZ GODZONE is a dream result.

“We are thrilled to welcome back this prestigious adventure racing team, who will bring their adventure racing prowess and dynamic to Chapter 12. This team brings a lot of mana to the event that, over the years, has become the most watched and lauded expedition event in the world. Without a doubt, they will be the serious favourites going into the race and are most definitely the team to try and beat.”

“Chapter 12 will be a celebration of some of New Zealand’s most diverse and expansive landscapes and waterways, and there is an excellent field lining up to get amongst all the action in Marlborough from November 27 to December 5, 2025. I expect an intense battle at the front-end, and it will be exciting to see which team manages to claim GODZONE victory.”

Quick Facts
What: One NZ GODZONE Chapter 12
When: November 27 – December 5, 2025.
Where: Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Welcome & Registration Host: Blenheim
Course: The 650+ km course route remains a secret until the event starts
Teams: Pure & Pursuit categories / mixed teams of four

Margo Berryman
One NZ GODZONE Media Manager
P: +64 21 246 3342
E: margo@qt.co.nz
www.godzonadventure.com

ONE NZ GODZONE CHAPTER WINNING TEAMS

CHAPTER 11 – FIORDLAND
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Avaya
WINNING TIME: 4D 8H 25M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Stu Lynch

CHAPTER 10 – TRAVERSE
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Avaya
WINNING TIME: 5D 23H 55M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Stu Lynch

CHAPTER 9 – ROTORUA
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Avaya
WINNING TIME: 4D 23H 25M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Stu Lynch

CHAPTER 8 – CANTERBURY
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Perpetual Guardian
WINNING TIME: 4D 8H 20M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Chris Forne, Simone Maier, Marcel Hagener, Emily Wilson

CHAPTER 7 – FIORDLAND
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Yealands Family Wines
WINNING TIME: 5D 13H 34M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Aaron Prince, Emily Forne, Dan Busch, Chris Forne

CHAPTER 6 – QUEENSTOWN
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Tiki Tour
WINNING TIME: 3D 4H 11M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Tom Lucas, Mike Kelly, George Lucas, Floortje Grimmet

CHAPTER 5 – TASMAN
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Yealands Family Wines
WINNING TIME: 3D 12H 44M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Dan Moore, Sia Svendsen, Dan Busch, Chris Forne

CHAPTER 4 – WĀNAKA
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Seagate
WINNING TIME: 4D 8H 28M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Stu Lynch

CHAPTER 3 – KAIKOURA
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Seagate
WINNING TIME: 3D 17H 54M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Stu Lynch

CHAPTER 2 – MT COOK
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Seagate
WINNING TIME: 3D 3H 35M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Trevor Voyce

CHAPTER 1 – MILFORD
GODZONE TROPHY WINNERS TEAM NAME: Seagate
WINNING TIME: 3D 14H 55M
TEAM CAPTAIN: Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Chris Forne, Trevor Voyce