It will be all guns blazing when 70 New Zealand adventure racing teams line up on the start line for Godzone Chapter 9 in Rotorua next month, and eyes will be on team ‘isport’ after Simone Maier’s recent decisive win.

Godzone is New Zealand's only multi-day, non-stop, expedition-style adventure race. Teams will spend up to ten days racing in the challenge which features navigation, trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing.

A week ago Wanaka athlete Simone Maier won her second women's longest day Coast to Coast title, taking on a gruelling 243 kilometre course and beating four-time champion Elina Ussher to the finish line, and Godzone race director Warren Bates said Simone’s win “turns the spotlight” on her Godzone team. 

“Simone was in the winning team at Godzone Chapter 8 so she knows what it takes to lead from the front of the pack, and she is fast,” Warren said.

She is well-supported by her top teammates, including Wanaka homeowner and All Blacks legend Richie McCaw, Rob Nichol and Aaron Prince.

“Aaron Prince brings all the adventure racing credentials required for a swift and consistent pace having 20 years under his belt, mainly with the Swedish team Haglof Silva,” Warren said. 

“His strategy and decision making could be key for isport.”

But there will be plenty of tough competition for the team, especially in team Avaya, Warren said, which includes six-time world adventure racing champions Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Stu Lynch, and Chris Forne. 

Isport team member Rob said the team is looking forward to experiencing an interesting Rotorua course.

“With all four team-members competing at Coast to Coast last weekend, we have now turned our attention to full GODZone preparation and are super keen to get out and race and see how we go together as a team,” he said. 

“There is nothing quite like the unknown.”

Learn more about Godzone Chapter 9, taking place Rotorua March 4-14, here.

PHOTO: Supplied