Meet The Team

Putting together a world class event of this scale, distance and duration is not easy. Expedition events throw up unique challenges and when you consider how far teams and logistics can be stretched, how unpredictable the weather can be, how hard it is to provide up-to-date live coverage when teams are in the middle of nowhere, you can understand why Race Directors look so haggard before the event even begins. We wanted to get it right from the start and that meant finding individuals capable of ensuring seamless delivery and the very best experience for the participants. We doubt that a more experienced group has ever been involved in putting together an expedition adventure race.

Operational Team

Event Co-Director Warren Bates 2009 Adventure Racing World Champion, 7 world championships, over 25 expedition races completed covering most continents, currently racing for Team adidas TERREX. www.teamadidasterrex.com	Event Manager Anna Bastin Queenstown local Event Manager and Outdoor Enthusiast. Competed in various endurance races including the Southern Traverse and 24hr World Rogaine Champs. Loves any event that involves a map!	Event Co-Director Adam Fairmaid Southern Traverse winner, adventure race career spanning over 20 years, and veteran of many expedition length races including Eco Challenge.
Safety Manager Michel Lepage Head Guide for Queenstown Rafting and Team Leader for Remarkables Ski Patrol unit. 25 yrs of trip leading and outdoor industry experience, highlighting a 50 day canoe trip to the Arctic.	Traffic Management Bill Godsall President of New Zealand Multisport and Regional Coordinator for Sports Central. 3 x Southern Traverse wins and 2 x vet Coast to Coasts victories. Three Eco Challenge appearances and a brisk 2hr 25min best marathon time.

Event Patron

Event Patron Steve Gurney World Multisport Champion, 9 x winner of the Coast to Coast, winner of 12 international adventure races (including 3 x Raid Gauloises, Eco Challenge and Primal Quest), awarded New Zealand order of Merit for services to endurance sport. www.stevegurney.co.nz “I’m so excited to see such a race back here in Queenstown with a strong visionary and energetic organising team.” Click here to see the rest of the patrons message.

Media Team

Media Specialist Margo Berryman Magazine publishing, radio broadcast, television production, event management and communications. Managing editor of QT Magazine, Life Synergy Magazine, Style Magazine and Queenstown’s More FM breakfast host.

Live Coverage & Reccies Ian Edmond With 20 years adventure racing, including multiple international podium placings, combined with a Computer Science degree, Ian brings a unique blend of knowledge and experience to the team. His technical IT skills have brought the adventure racing live coverage platform to new levels. He is also heavily involved in course planning and reccies ensuring that the race works not only from an operational stand point but also has the right mixture of challenge and adventure for the teams.

Advisory Team

Event Advisor Wayne Oxenham 2008 Adventure Racing World Champion, multiple podium finishes around the world as captain of the hugely successful Orion Health adventure racing team.	Event Advisor Richard Ussher Adventure Racing World Champion in 2005 and 2006, 4 x winner of Abu Dhabi Adventure Race, winner of the Coast to Coast World individual multisport championship in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2011.

Event Advisor Kristina Angelm 2005 Adventure Racing World Champion, 2 x winner of the Coast to Coast, winner of the one-off 2200km Mizone length of NZ race, veteran of Kiwi teams Seagate & Balance Vector.	Event Advisor Dr Keith Murray Multisport World Champion, current course record holder for both the Coast to Coast one day and two day events, which remain unbeaten since 1994 and 1993 respectively.