After a brutal weekend defying the odds in 2017, 85 two-person teams will again have the opportunity to race Red Bull Defiance in 2018.
The race takes athletes across eight iconic high country stations, set amongst New Zealand’s most wild and spectacular terrain and has become a bucket list race for many Kiwi and international endurance athletes. The 2018 dates have today been announced as the 20th and 21st of January in Wanaka and early bird entries open at 7am on the 16th of March 2017.
 Team Red Bull, Braden Currie (front) and Josiah Middaugh hike up a steep hill at Red Bull Defiance 2017(Photo: Miles Holden / Red Bull Content Pool; click to enlarge) |
Red Bull Defiance is a unique two-day race format combining running, kayaking and mountain biking - mixed with special stage elements of abseiling and clay bird shooting. This year, athletes battled it out in the toughest weather conditions the race has ever seen, making the experience even more challenging with snow, wind and sub-zero temperatures.
“Today is the hardest day’s racing I’ve ever had” - Alex Hunt, 2016 Elite Men’s division champion, said.
Since the birth of Red Bull Defiance, the race has attracted high profile elite athletes from around the globe as well as many sports category athletes. It has fast earned a reputation of being one of the toughest off-road multi-sport events in the world.
 Team Thule Adventure, Martin Flinta (front) and Rickard Norlin mountain bike at Red Bull Defiance 2017(Photo: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool; click to enlarge) |
“Athletes race Red Bull Defiance because it has been designed to push the limits of endurance. On paper it looks very achievable but in reality it’s a lot bigger challenge than most anticipate. The sense of achievement garnered whether you are racing Elite or Sports is one that has a permanent effect on the psyche.” – Sally Currie (2015 competitor and 2014/2016 Event Director).
Looking forward to its fourth instalment, Red Bull Defiance 2018 is expected to fast secure its maximum capacity of 85 team entries, which sold out last year in less than three weeks.
Early-bird entries for the Elite and Sports team categories open 7am Thursday 16th March 2017. These very limited early-bird entries will be released, with a saving of $400 per entry. Last year, early-bird entries sold out in less than 24 hours.
 Team Racers Edge, powered by Torpedo7, Marcel Hagener and Simone Maier kayak at Red Bull Defiance 2017(Photo: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool; click to enlarge) |
Athletes are encouraged to follow Red Bull Defiance on Facebook and sign up to E-News to be notified and reminded when entries go live at www.redbulldefiance.co.nz.
