Local adventure racers won the South Island leg of the Kathmandu Adventure Series at Brooklands and Bottle Lake Forest Park on Saturday.
It was the first time the Australasian series has been raced here.
 Michael Varnam (left) and Nathan Hey win the mens race(Photo: Katherine Brigden; click to enlarge) |
Racing and social teams navigated to orienteering type controls with running, mountain bike and kayaking sections. The racing teams covered 27km and the social teams 17km.
Nathan Hey and Michael Varnam won the men's race by 34 minutes, after being second to enter the forest leg.
Policeman Varnam said his race was good practice for the Coast to Coast and he is now convinced Burnham soldier Hey will be up for the Coast challenge.
In bitter southerly conditions, the paddle on Brooklands lagoon was the most tiring leg for many. Teams had to leave their kayaks to reach control points.
However the mental challenge lay in the forest.
With over three hours in the field prior to starting the foot orienteering, placings changed in all sections as teams finally emerged from the forest. The fastest team took 40 minutes to complete the 3.3km foot navigation.
Levi Hibbert and Aaron Blyleven, representing Hillcrest Christian, were the only team to complete the schools race. They drew on map skills to keep going as energy levels faded.
"Earthquakes didn't scare us off," says Sydney based event manager Todd Stafford of Maximum Adventure. "After six years, it was time to expand the race programme into the South Island."
Competitors from Australia were no match for local multisport athletes.
The 2012 series opens in Anakiwa in March and organisers are already planning the second Canterbury event for next October.
Results: Kathmandu Adventure Series, Christchurch
Competitive Men
1. Nathan Hey and Michael Varnam 3:34:53
2. Paul Davies and Glenn Hedges 4:00:12
Competitive Mixed
1. Linda and Daryl Poulsen 4:43:40
2. Laura Renshaw and Patrick Frew (Australia) 3:54:00
3. Marie Fox and Scott Laurence 4:45:18
Competitive Schools
1. Levi Hibbert and Aaron Blyleven 4:15:08
Social Men
1. Thomas Neilson and Thomas Ricketts 2:32:35
2. Simon Pease and Greg Wilson 2:52:55
3. Dominic and Dave Bain 3:21:09
Social Women
1. Emma and Hannah Bedford 2:49:21
2. Jane Boxall and Jennifer Russell 2:49:34
3. Caitlyn and Andrea Mather 2:57:35
Social Mixed
1. Els Coster and Brian Wilson 2:49:18
2. Charlotte and Ronnie Williamson 3:05:36
3. Jackie and Grant Bunting 3:15:27
