Competitors in the 2011 The North Face Peak to Peak (August 6) will be going all out to topple the record time of 2hours 02.51 clocked in 2010 by Queenstown’s Fergburger team in the prestigious mountain-to-mountain multisport event from the top of The Remarkables to Coronet Peak.
Race Director Geoff Hunt says there are several hardcore teams aiming to break the two hour mark.
"It has always been a target for some of the top athletes and last year's race which saw Fergburger just pip the experienced defending open champion team Outside Sports by two minutes has intensified the goal to go under two hours."
The North Face Peak to Peak is being staged for the 18th consecutive year and the August timing this year is due to the later New Zealand school holiday period.
"We don't expect the change from the traditional July date to have any impact," says Hunt. "There is a lot of interest already building out there amongst both returning and first time athletes. There are a number of school teams competing which is good to see as we are keen to foster the younger, up and coming multisporters who are the future of the sport."
The 44km race starts at the top of The Remarkables with a 2km ski/snowboard on The Homeward Bound run finishing at the skifield access road. A 17km mountain bike ride down the high altitude road finishes at Frankton Beach and is followed by a 7km paddle to Queenstown Bay. From the Bay it is a 9km run to the foot of Coronet Peak and a 9km cycle ride up the access road to finish at the base buildings.
The Remarkables Ski Area team headed by Assistant Manager Ed Bezett has challenged all the ski areas in the region to take them on in the race.
"We have been competing for several years and last year had an inter-mountain challenge with Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt but this year we have thrown it out to all the other fields to enter and provide a bit of friendly rivalry. It's a great event."
To reinforce the challenge race organisers have included a prize this year for the fastest skifield team and the fastest individual skifield employee.
"There are other challenges being thrown down by local businesses, including the construction industry, which should make the results interesting," says Hunt.
Last year's open men's race was a cliffhanger with Adam Milne (Christchurch) pipping Gavin Mason (Wanaka) across the line by two minutes in 2.16.14. The women's open was won by first time competitor Simone Maier (Wanaka) in 2.37.58.
Competition is open to men and women competing in open and veteran individual classes. The teams' section includes male, female, mixed, business house, veteran or school.
"While there are a number of serious athletes competing in this event it is also very much a race for people starting out in multisport. For business teams or teams of work colleagues or friends it is a great opportunity for team building and developing team spirit," says Hunt.
A prizegiving will be held at Coronet Peak following the race and during the evening film coverage of the event will be screened at the Dux de Lux in Queenstown.
