History

The Teams

The Kaikoura edition of GODZONE sold out 7 months before the start. The full quota of 40 teams were taken but the organisation opted to make room for the Merrell Alpha Pack team who brought a significant media presence to the event (you can watch their exploits during the race by checking out their video). Forty one teams graced the start line, with 10 countries represented - Australia, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and the US. However, the New Zealand-based teams were to set a very high benchmark for the internationals when it came to coping with the technically and physically demanding course.

The Route

The route covered a total distance of 520km, with approximately: 9km of coasteering, 114km of trekking, 267km of biking, 101km of canoeing and 38km of kayaking. Total elevation gain for those on the full course was approximately 11,800m. Kaikoura provided a unique challenge with huge mountains juxtaposing a stunning, wildlife rich, coastline. Teams started by coasteering and sea kayaking around the Kaikoura Peninsula. Wilderness beckoned after this with a tough bike section through Puhi Peaks to Waiautoa. Day two and three was the mouth-watering prospect of climbing towards Mt Tapaeu-o-Uenuku, towering above the Clarence River at a shade under 10,000ft (2885m).

An iconic bike ride through the Molesworth Road led to the Glynn Wye trek which many teams expressed to be the most enjoyable and navigationally challenging. The biggest river adventure yet in GODZONE followed with a 101km paddle down the Hurunui River, taking in Grade 3+ rapids along the way, with teams camping overnight along the banks of the beautiful river. The last 4 sections of the race headed north along the stunning Kaikoura coastline with navigation increasingly difficult. A final sea kayak, accompanied by local dolphins, saw the teams complete a monumental challenge that tested them to the mental and physical limits.

Results

Seagate were back and once again in a class of their own for this Chapter. The tricky navigation choices provided by the first mountain bike stage let them get clear and after that they were long gone, winning the event by over 12hrs. The mother of all battles played out behind them with the most exciting racing so far seen at GODZONE. After 3 full days of racing the next 5 teams were locked in a navigational battle which saw places lost and won. In the end, critical navigation choices saw R&R Torpedo 7 clinch second place by just 22 minutes, with third placed Absolute Wilderness NZ clinching the final spot on the podium with a blistering transition and final sea kayak, a mere 28 minutes back.

Vida de Aventura, Kathmandu XT and Chimpanzee Bar took the next 3 places. Those placed between 2nd and 6th position at GODZONE were separated by less than 5 hours, which is incredibly close over such a long race and a great testament to the strength and consistency of the teams at the top level in New Zealand. It was team Next Generation who came out on top of the Colt Trophy. They finished an extremely credible 8th place overall - the best result for any young team so far at a GODZONE. They used good tactics, navigated exceptionally well and looked to be working as a fantastic team throughout the 5 days it took them to finish.