AVAYA SNAKING THEIR WAY TOWARDS COAST

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Today, the 710km GODZone expedition adventure racing course moved into the Central Otago region. Teams rode 170km over the historic Nevis Back Road on stage six and then onto a stage eight 96km packraft and trek through the Onslow Serpentine.

Leading team Avaya including Nathan Fa’avae, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart and Stu Lynch, completed stage seven just after midday and moved quickly onto the stage eight 100km mountain bike ride through the Taieri Gorge.

“At the bike transition, Nathan said he was sick of wearing his shoes, so for the final 2km, he trekked in bare feet,” says GODZone Race Director Warren Bates, “He also said the navigation on the Serpentine last night was quite tricky finding all the required checkpoints in place.”

Bates says Avaya is showing their world-class champion adventure racing skills on the GODZone Chapter 10 course that has proven very difficult for the chasing field.
“They really have not put a foot wrong in the entire race. Chris Forne is nailing the navigation, and the team have banked plenty of sleep along the way – it is quite extraordinary to watch.”

“We expect them to arrive at the Taieri River later tonight, where they will hustle to paddle down the river as far as possible before the dark zone on the lower Taieri kicks in.”
He says there could be a finish tomorrow (Thursday 9th March).
“Once teams get off the Taieri River, they have the last stage – a 19km coasteer up the coastline to the Brighton Beach finish line. I expect Avaya will keep the momentum going at that point – maybe even a jog up the sand is on the cards depending on what the tides are doing for a finish around midday all going well.”