Resources

Welcome

On behalf of the Pure Adventure Charitable Trust, welcome to One New Zealand GODZONE Chapter 13: Aoraki – Mt Cook.

This chapter is about big New Zealand country: massive mountain ranges, glacier-fed rivers and lakes, high-country golden tussock, and quintessential rural landscapes. The region is breathtaking, and shaping an expedition-length adventure racing experience for competitors, support crews, volunteers and spectators has been a privilege. That work continues and we look forward to sharing more in future newsletters.

We have had a strong response with just under 40 teams entered to date. That puts the event ahead of Chapter 12 and close to our cap for this particular expedition, therefore we expect to reach maximum capacity. Entries close on the 30th September, or sooner if the field fills before then.

To first-time competitors: you are in for an exceptional experience. Enjoy the preparation and training, build your skills, test your gear, get aligned with your teammates, and lock in your support crew. To returning competitors: you know what you have signed up to, and this course will not disappoint. It is shaping up to be a spectacular route, informed by learnings from past chapters, including last year’s race. Packrafting, kayaking, mountain biking, time on foot and technical challenges are all built into both the Pure and Pursuit courses. We are committed to delivering a course that is challenging, memorable and deeply rewarding.

One of the most rewarding aspects of creating One New Zealand GODZONE is working with so many generous and capable people. From the Department of Conservation and the Mackenzie District Council to local iwi and landowners, we continue to be inspired by how strongly New Zealanders support adventure. Alongside a growing list of key partners led by One NZ, SIXT and Macpac, with more to be announced, we feel very fortunate.

To everyone considering attending as volunteers or support crew: thank you. You are also embarking on an adventure built on selflessness, a love of the outdoors, and the satisfaction that comes from supporting family, friends and One New Zealand GODZONE. We look forward to hosting you on course and helping you savour what will be a unique experience.

Expedition adventure racing is incredibly rewarding, but it takes some courage to commit. Be proud that you have stepped up for Chapter 13, encourage others to do the same, support younger competitors showing interest, and reach out if you need help or have questions.

Please read this newsletter carefully. It contains important information to help your race go smoothly. If you have gear or race-related questions, contact competitor liaison Keren McSkimming. Embrace the challenge, plan well, and prepare accordingly.

Rob Nichol – On behalf of the PURE ADVENTURE Trustees

One New Zealand

As the naming right partners of One NZ GODZONE, One New Zealand continues to inspire us through their commitment to advancing mobile communications and connectivity across New Zealand. This partnership plays a vital role in supporting the roll out, safety and management of the event. The level of technology provided is a serious enabler for One NZ GODZONE making a difference to the event delivery and competitor experience in New Zealand’s incredible backcountry areas.

General Housekeeping

If you have been to any of the previous Chapters of GODZONE you will know that things have run smoothly. Check out the general housekeeping items below for your attention. We encourage all teams (and in particular, team captains and/or administrators) to ‘action’ any items that require some form of input, in a timely fashion – it will help ensure that you have the best possible event experience.

Maps, Handbook, Route Planner & Passport

Map sets will be based on the 1:50 000 topographic series that is common to New Zealand. Follow this link for an example of a map used at a recent event. You may source and download generic New Zealand topographical maps at 1:50 000 here. All teams will be provided with three sets of topographical maps for the entire course. Please note that the 2 sets of waterproof maps are the only ones that the teams can carry with them on the course. No additional maps are permitted. A summary of what each team will receive (at least in terms of course related documents) is outlined below:

• One week before the race starts an electronic Route Planner PDF will be emailed to team administrators that will provide a broad overview of the stages. This will be supplemented at Race Registration, generally a few hours before the race starts, with:
• Two sets of waterproof maps (like this) available for use on the course. Yep, no need for coverseal  as waterproof maps remove a lot of the hassle and stress related to race preparation and diminishes the worry about how you will keep your maps dry during water sections.
• One additional paper set for your Support Crew. The additional 3rd paper set provided will allow your support crew to plan, prep and support you accordingly throughout the race.
• An updated Route Planner in paper form (like this, A4 size) that will give more details about stages, transition areas, other important locations, distances, approximate elevation gains and losses.
• Two Team Handbooks, one for the team, one for the support crew (like this, A5 size) that give detailed information about stages, rules, penalties, particular safety requirements over and above generic considerations, dark zones, time cut offs and route specifics (in short, the do’s and dont’s of the course). The Team Handbook also contains a very specific table for each stage outlining what mandatory gear is required to be carried on that specific stage. If there is a small contradiction between what is outlined in the Team Handbook and what is on the Mandatory Gear List on the website, then the Team Handbook is the one to follow. The Mandatory Gear List on the website is just a generic catch all for the entire race and we will modify it to suit particular stages. For example, if you have a vanilla 2hr bike ride, we might remove some gear requirements such as carrying a tent and sleeping bags, as carrying them will not really make you any safer.
• Please note that the Team Handbook must be carried by the team at all times during the race. This is to ensure you have all the important information to hand when out on the course – such as the next time cut off which you are in danger of missing. The Team Handbook is NOT on waterproof paper so we recommend that you have some way to keep it dry.
• Every team will receive two Race Passports (like this, A6 size) which ARE made of waterproof paper. You will ‘punch’ your Race Passport at each Checkpoint along the course as you enter and again when you exit each Transition Area. You must submit one completed Race Passport to officials at the finish. No completed Race Passport, no finish. We recommend that you ‘punch’ both passports at all times and look after them carefully, using one as a back up. Some teams elect to have different people carry each passport to reduce the risk of loss or forgetting to punch. Your call.

Team Finder

A reminder to all teams administrators and/or captains that you can Sign Up your team to the Team Finder page, if you are looking to fill a position in your team. You can also look for replacements at the Team Finder Search page. Injuries, substitutions and last minute replacements are commonplace in expedition events and this feature may help you link up.

Race Apparel

We’re proud to have Macpac as the exclusive apparel and gear partner of One NZ GODZONE, delivering high-quality event products for every competitor. To ensure each team member receives their right shirt size, team captains/administrators can update sizes via the Team Information page. Keren, our Competitor Liaison, will also send a reminder before the deadline so you don’t miss your chance to secure the correct fit. All GODZONE tops are custom printed specifically for the event, so please confirm your team’s sizes by the deadline to allow time for production and delivery.

Support Crew Finder

The facility to find support crew and register an interest in becoming a support crew member is also available on the event website. This can be found (and filtered as required) on the Team & Support Crew Finder tab of the main website. If you know someone keen to assist a team, please get them to sign up. You may be thinking of racing GODZONE one day or know someone who wants to; what better way to learn than supporting a competent team of experienced racers?

Accommodation

Book your accommodation early. The Mackenzie district, particularly Tekapo and Twizel, is popular with visitors, and accommodation can be limited at this time of year. Teams should plan to be in Twizel, the registration and welcome location, by midday on Thursday 25 February for Race Registration, Gear Checks and Briefing. The race start will follow at a time to be confirmed, and most likely at a location a few hours’ drive away. Some teams may choose to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday to allow for travel and preparation. Others may choose to arrive in Twizel on the Thursday itself. We expect the first teams to reach the finish late on Monday 1 March or early on Tuesday 2 March, with remaining teams filtering through until the course officially closes on Friday 5 March. Please factor these timings into your post-race accommodation planning and see the post-race celebrations note below.

Team List

A team list will be added to the website and released to the media later in the year and when team captains or administrators have provided us with a bit more information about yourselves (accessible from the Team Login page with your team administrators email and password). Competitors can update their team and team member information at any time by following the instructions below:

• Visit the Team Login page
• Insert your email address and password in the boxes (these will have been provided by email when you first registered – you can change your password, if you require, once you have logged in)
• Click the Login button
• Use the <Team Info> tab to update general information about your team (remember to press the Submit button – located at the top and bottom of the form – before you close the page, otherwise your update will not be saved)
• Click on <Team Members Info> tab to update biographical information about your team of four (remember to press the Submit button – located at the top and bottom of the form – before you close the page, otherwise your update will not be saved)
• The information collected here will also be used to populate Live Coverage so it is in your interest to do it
• Teams have plenty of time to update their information and can make changes at any time. However, if you want to see a full team list and have your team showcased on social media then it would be great if you could input the information at your earliest convenience. We often receive requests from the media about teams from certain locations or those that have interesting dynamics. Unless we know who you are racing with, we can’t point the media to you. Help us to help you.

Sponsorship

We know that many teams have done a great job securing sponsorship, which can help ease the financial commitment, pay for equipment, or raise money for personal and good causes. GODZONE has been the conduit for over $700,000 in charity donations over the past decade, which is a tremendous effort by all involved. We wish we could do more to assist with sponsorship, but the best we can offer is a significant viewership – literally hundreds of thousands when the race is live – and a massive social media reach. We are also happy to speak with any prospective sponsor you have lined up if that would help. If you need a presentation outlining the reach of GODZONE, please feel free to use and download the following media report from Chapter 12:

• Open Chapter 12 Media Report

WELCOME TO AORAKI - MT COOK - MCKENZIE COUNTRY

Mackenzie District Mayor, Scott Aronsen, has welcomed One NZ GODZONE to his region saying “ We’re excited to attract an event of this calibre that profiles the unique landscapes of our region,” says Mayor Aronsen. “We welcome all the competitors, race management and support crews to the Mackenzie Region, and look forward to watching the action unfold.”

DOC (Department of Conservation) has shown full support for Chapter 13 being held in Aoraki and is working closely with the GODZONE team to ensure safe access through some of New Zealand’s most pristine wilderness areas. Sally Jones, Department of Conservation Operations Manager, Aoraki/Mount Cook says, “One NZ GODZONE is an iconic and incredibly demanding adventure race, and we’re excited to be working alongside organisers, to bring it to Aoraki and wider Mackenzie landscape. This is a unique opportunity to showcase this outstanding natural landscape on the international stage. Our team will work closely with organisers and mana whenua to ensure the event is delivered safely, while protecting the special values that make this place so special.”

Some course details

Every Chapter of GODZONE is slightly different. Terrain, weather and a host of other factors come into play when designing a course. You can get a good overview of the past courses by visiting the Course Details page on the website. It serves as a guide to how things have shaped up historically. Courses have ranged between 500km and 700km. Winning times have been between 3 and 7 days, whilst the percentage of teams completing either the Pure or Pursuit Full Courses have varied considerably too. The finishing percentage is often more a factor of how much time is available overall, rather than how physically challenging or long a course is. For example, a longer, flatter course that takes 5 days for the fastest teams to finish will be hard for the slow teams to compete if the total time available is 7 days. Conversely, a very physically demanding course with lots of ups and downs that takes the leaders 4 days will likely see far more finishers if the total race days allowed are 8. There is no magic formula at GODZONE. The courses are largely forged by nature, and we do our best to challenge you with an epic expedition designed to challenge and bring the best out of you and your teammates.

Chapter 13 is a bit more of the latter outlined above. Lots of ups and downs. Not an extremely long course but plenty long enough, with lots of days to complete the challenge. Breaking things down a little….

At this time, the GZ Pure course will be around 575km in length. The GZ Pursuit course comes in slightly shorter at 515km. Both courses follow broadly the same route and transitions, but material differences relating to some of the stages in length, route choice and elevation gain. If we had to put a percentage on it, we would say the Pursuit is about 65-70% of the Pure. The expected winning times are approximately 4 to 4 and a half days. Obviously these figures are subject to change, the vagaries of the weather, river flows, dark zones, etc. But it serves as a guide if nothing else. There are 9 main stages and 8 transitions. Looking at the Chapter 13 course in its entirety, it would be fair to say that it is a ‘spectacular’, physically demanding, but less of the expedition-style grind that characterised the Marlborough Chapter.

We won’t reveal anything too specific about the Chapter 13 course until the final moments. Probably not until we hand over the course maps, in fact, on Thursday 25th of February. However, we can share some snippets of information that might help you plan your training, or at the very least get you speculating about where we are going and what you will be doing:

• The expected winning time is currently 4 to 4 and a half days for both the Pure and Pursuit courses. This is a best case scenario, of course, and teams who are at their first GODZONE or those who have a tendency to be running close to cut-offs  should actually plan to be on the course for over 6 days…maybe the full 8! That’s a long time in anyone’s book, but it’s also the nature of expedition adventure racing.
• Both Pure & Pursuit courses look balanced. The Pure course has approximately 115km of trekking (minimum), 210km of paddling (maximum) and 250km of biking. There may be other mystery activities included during the race but you may not find out about these until the maps are handed out.
• Given the fact that most teams will be on the course in excess of 5 days, sleep management and strategy will be critical to success. This may be on the course or in a Transition Area. There are different views on the optimal amounts of sleep for a race this long. Too much and you might struggle to make it in time. Too little and it gets very hard to concentrate and you often move a lot slower than you think. If you’re unsure about what to aim for, reach out to more experienced racers and see how they approach it. All we would say is that for every 1 team that crosses the line that says they slept too much, there are another 10 who wished they’d slept a bit more.
• The numbers above confirm that water will play a significant part in the event and we urge every competitor to get the skills/qualifications to turn river sections into a fun experience.  If you’re unsure of the requirements, take a look at the Certification page which outlines the basics required. The better you are, the more you’ll enjoy it.
• Be prepared to keep yourself warm, especially on any longer paddles and at night and in the early hours of the morning. At least one section of water will be dark zoned, meaning that paddling will be forbidden at night. Under this scenario you could well be forced to camp out for up to 9 hours. We will just take this opportunity to remind teams (and their support crews) that visits in the middle of night will be seen as extreme rule breaking.
• All teams should take their packraft training seriously. Learn how to pack them up and down quickly and efficiently and make sure you have ample carrying capacity between the four of you.  Time spent preparing for packrafting will not be wasted.
• More information about what to expect from the course will be released in forthcoming Newsletters 2 & 3. Don’t panic. Just be meticulous and plan properly.

Registration & Welcome HQ

All registration, pre-event administration, gear checks, media interviews, the official welcome and race briefings for both GZ Pure and GZ Pursuit teams will take place in Twizel after midday on Thursday 25 February. The race start will follow at a location a few hours’ drive away. AR Duo kayaks, inflatable canoes and any other race equipment provided by the organisers will be available for testing and inspection. More specific schedule information will follow in subsequent newsletters. For a general overview of event timing, please check the schedule.

Post Race Celebrations

We are planning to hold post-race celebrations at the finish line on the evenings of Wednesday 3 March, Thursday 4 March and Friday 5 March. In the interests of course secrecy, we cannot yet confirm exactly where these celebrations will take place. Please keep these dates in mind when planning your accommodation. More information about post-race celebrations will be released in subsequent newsletters.

Travel

For most teams the host venue of Twizel will be best accessed via self drive, whether that is directly from home or after arriving via air. The two most convenient airports servicing Twizel are Christchurch and Queenstown.

Queenstown Airport, based in Frankton, is an extremely scenic two and a half hour drive to Twizel. Multiple airlines service Queenstown. For those wanting to use a larger airport, there is the option to fly and drive from Christchurch airport which is a three and a half hour drive away.

Important:

All international competitors must have a current passport, valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from New Zealand. Most visitors to New Zealand do not require visas unless they intend to work, study or seek employment. Please check with your local travel authority before travelling.

Support Crews & Equipment

GODZONE is a supported race. This means that all teams are required to bring a support crew to Chapter 13 – Aoraki Mt Cook. The support crews are responsible for transporting the majority of team equipment around the course and to various transition areas. Bike boxes and gear boxes are not a mandatory requirement for GODONE (though your support crew may still wish to use them to keep things safe and organised). This is the case for both GZ Pure and the GZ Pursuit categories. As with all items of your race equipment and surplus luggage, we do not provide insurance cover for items that go missing or that break so if you are in any doubt, do not bring the item or arrange suitable personal insurance.

For a more comprehensive discussion about support crews, please visit the Support Crew page.

Important: the information below is provided as a preliminary guide only, but is a good start point for planning:

• Support crews are responsible for transporting team bikes. Given that your support crew has access to bikes throughout the race, we recommend that they have some knowledge on how to service, clean and fix them
• Support crews are responsible for transporting team clothing, food, water and supplies
• Support crews are responsible for removing team waste and recycling from transition areas
• Support crews are responsible for transporting other team equipment
• In some instances, support crews will be responsible for transporting packraft equipment and paddles
• A logistics planner, that outlines the stage character, length and different disciplines, will be released to team captains one week before the race starts. This will allow teams and support crews an opportunity to get their heads around the adventure and begin equipment planning. It will not reveal the location of checkpoints, transition areas, start or finish line. These will be kept secret until right up until the last moment.

Mandatory Gear Update

At this time, there are no changes to the Mandatory Gear List. However, we draw your attention to the following key bits of information:

• All teams must bring split double bladed paddles. No full length/non-split paddles can be accepted. These can be split into 2, 3 or 4 pieces. All teams will use these paddles for kayaking and packrafting
• Spraydecks, if required, will be provided by the organisers
• Packrafting equipment has been separated out from canoeing and kayaking to give you a clearer picture of what needs to be carried on packrafting stages
• We frequently get questions about the wetsuit requirement. Some competitors prefer to use ‘sharkskin’-style tops and bottoms as an alternative for better heat performance. However, teams should understand that the wetsuit requirement is not just about warmth. Wetsuits provide good warmth but also better protection against impacts, abrasion and they also assist with buoyancy. For these reasons, ALL teams must bring a wetsuit to Chapter 13 (farmer john-style is a great option). Teams are welcome to bring sharkskin-style clothing for use when the wetsuit is not a mandatory requirement. Wearing a wetsuit and sharkskin might not be a bad idea at times

Packrafting at GODZONE

In the past we have received a fair number of questions about packrafts and related equipment. Most teams seem to have got their heads around what types are good for adventure racing and the quality and quantity of available rafts continues to expand. For those new to GODZONE, we’d first of all recommend that you try and talk to someone who has experienced a few GODZONES before and who knows their watercraft. There are some very knowledgeable people out there. From our perspective, we’re not particularly interested in how fast/light your new packraft is.  What we care about is that teams are safe and that you all know how to use the rafts correctly. The following is a brief outline of things to consider when looking at packrafts. However, the number 1 piece of advice we’d give to new to pakrafting is to go and get some instruction first. They might help you make sensible purchases or even be able to source boats for you at competitive rates.

The reality is that the optimal packraft for this event may not be the best one for your personal travels, the next Chapter of GODZONE, or any other race you may do around the globe. If you are going to buy a packraft then we would advise that you get the best quality that you can afford and one that is good for most water conditions, rather than a rather ‘specialist’ version. Packrafts with sprayskirts have some advantages in terms of water ingress and warmth. Those advantages are offset by cost and weight. A sprayskirt or cover is not a mandatory requirement but if it is cold, you may be thankful of having one. There are pros and cons of single versus double packrafts. The latter can be lighter overall for a team of four and possibly a bit quicker. However, those benefits are offset by the reduced flexibility of the rafts afterwards – in the sense that 4 singles could go home with 4 different people. Teams should definitely ensure that their rafts are big enough to carry not only people but plenty of equipment too. We have some great photographs from previous editions with two very tall people cramped into a small raft, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Equipment needs to be stored on the rafts in a way that it does not impede access out of the raft in the case of a capsize. Backpacks should not be worn whilst rafting. They must be in the raft. Rafts need to be capable of coping with white water up to Grade II+.

Like most things at GODZONE, skills go a long way to ensuring a safe and enjoyable adventure. We thoroughly recommend that teams spend a good deal of time in their rafts prior to the race to understand their strengths and, more importantly, their limitations. Teams wishing to skill-up or expedite their learning should definitely look into some of the training courses on offer.

Remember, it is our job to lay out a great adventure race and make sure that it operates smoothly with plenty of information. It is your job to ensure you turn up with the requisite skills. It will only add to your enjoyment and peace of mind.

One NZ GODZONE Partners

Macpac

Macpac are the exclusive apparel and gear partner of One NZ GODZONE, providing premium outdoor apparel and equipment for event crew, volunteers, management, competitor swag and promotional activities. The Macpac team deliver outstanding support, ensuring our crew and volunteers are well equipped with high-performance outdoor clothing designed for demanding environments. As an iconic Kiwi outdoor brand, Macpac shares our commitment to inspiring people to perform at their best while embracing New Zealand’s spectacular wilderness. Visit www.macpac.co.nz

SIXT New Zealand

SIXT New Zealand provides exceptional vehicle rental services to One NZ GODZONE, supporting our management and media teams as they access remote locations throughout the course. With a modern fleet of reliable vehicles available nationwide, SIXT NZ ensures the event can travel wherever the adventure leads – safely, efficiently, and in comfort. Visit www.sixt.nz

Volkswagen New Zealand

Volkswagen New Zealand is renowned for European craftsmanship, innovation, safety, and advanced vehicle technology. One NZ GODZONE is proud to drive the event forward in the latest Volkswagen Amarok vehicles, whose capability and reliability make them perfectly suited to New Zealand’s rugged landscapes and the demands of adventure racing. Visit www.volkswagen.co.nz

Mountain Adventure

Mountain Adventure is a valued supplier partner of One NZ GODZONE, providing innovative outdoor equipment from leading brands including La Sportiva, Fenix, and LEKI. These technical products help competitors perform at their highest level, delivering the uncompromising quality and performance required for one of the world’s toughest adventure races. Visit www.mountainadventure.co.nz

Back Country Cuisine

Back Country Cuisine is our newest nutrition partner providing fast nourishing meals designed for big adventures. With nutrition playing a critical role across 600+ kms, they will support competitors, vollies and event crews via swag bag products and potentially even a remote food station. Watch this space! Visit www.backcountrycuisine.co.nz

Final Thoughts

That’s probably enough reading for Newsletter 1. As with any decent briefing, there’s a lot to take in, but here are the bits we’d like to reinforce:

• Get the skills. Navigation, water confidence and a sensible race strategy are a pretty good place to start. If you’re not already handy in a packraft or comfortable on moving water, spring is the perfect time to jump on a course or two and sharpen the tools.
• Have a proper talk with your team. Figure out where everyone’s strengths lie – and where they don’t. Adventure racing has a funny way of exposing the weak links, usually at 3am on a hillside in the rain. A slower technical rider or someone who struggles on steep descents can turn three faster teammates into a very patient support crew. Set yourselves a goal that suits the whole team, not just the fastest person.
• Log into your team information page and fill in your details so we can release the team list and lock in your Macpac sizing. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s one less thing to think about later.
• Get onto your accommodation and travel plans sooner rather than later. The Mackenzie District is one of the South Island’s most popular destinations, and beds disappear quickly.
• Keep an eye on our social channels for race updates, important notices and the odd bit of inspiration. Better yet, share your own GODZONE journey with us. We love seeing the training missions, the epic views, the questionable weather decisions and the occasional “what were we thinking?” moments. We’ll do our best to give you and your team a shout-out along the way.