Update
KNYSNA NEWS - SA Rugby legend Stefan Terblanche has just completed GODZone with Team Merrell, competing against the best adventure racers in the world in his first-ever attempt at the sport.
“That is by far the toughest thing I have ever done,” said the former Springbok who in his career as a wing played against the All Blacks numerous times. “Fifty times harder than I imagined. Just when you think a bad part is done, there’s more. Always more," he added.
Only 24 of the 72 teams who started the epic expedition in New Zealand’s remote Fiordland could manage to finish the full course and Merrell paddled up to the finish after nine days, two hours and 45 minutes – the longest-serving racers on this course.
Nonstop racing
This year the event, in its seventh chapter, has gone even bigger and tougher, using the wild terrain and unpredictable elements of the southwestern Fiordland corner of New Zealand to challenge the top navigators and delight competitors with the astounding experiences and views that they had to work so very hard to see.
Team Merrell finally reached the finish of the GODZone adventure race in New Zealand in nine days and three hours. Here they are at the finish line. From left: Grant Ross, Jane Swarbreck, former Springbok rugby player Stefan Terblanche, and Knysna local and team captain Graham Bird.
Having started on 1 March, teams set out to tackle the seven legs and 550km nonstop trekking, packrafting, mountain biking and kayaking while managing the toll on the body of being constantly wet and overtired. Packs weighed 15kg to 20kg, full of mandatory equipment to keep them completely self-sufficient, as well as food and gear for the various disciplines. This is the extreme end of extreme sports.
Merrell team member Jane Swarbreck.
Broken, but no giving up
“Ten weeks ago Stefan had never done more than 21km in a day. Never done anything overnight. He has been amazing. He was broken but he would never give up,” said team captain Graham Bird.
Terblanche was equally impressed by his team-mates. “It's just amazing how they work the terrain, move through the bush, skip up a river, haul their bikes up the mountain passes. And keep going. Machines,” he said.
Merrell team member Grant Ross.
Online support
Supporters around the world have been checking in on the live tracking to follow the teams across countryside that demands superlatives.
Access to the majority of the area is normally only viable by helicopter and through the event, those watching online get a taste of what lies well beyond the popular hiking trails.
Known locally as the Merrell Adventure Addicts, the team has been supported by Merrell since 2010 under the captaincy of Bird, a Knysna local, and have raced extensively internationally and at home.
Sometimes they win, sometimes they place and sometimes they persevere against the odds, winning the hearts of everyone who follows their incredible journeys.
This time they weren’t planning on reaching the podium, but on finishing and although it took them a few days longer than they originally expected, they are all in a relatively healthy state.
Photos must be accredited to GODZoneTeam captain and Knysna local Graham Bird. Photos: GODZone
Will he do it again?
Don’t ask the obvious question just yet... Terblanche’s feet were swollen and sore, his body damaged, keen to get home and see his wife and kids. But already there was that glint in his eye as they chatted about what they have just accomplished.
“What could you possibly do after this that could compare?” asked an onlooker.
Team Yealands won again in a phenomenal effort of five-and-a-half days, and PwC – the team that Kiwi rugby legend Richie McCaw has been training hard with for his second GODZone – finished in sixth position in six-and-a-half days.
Article: Sarah Hearn
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