Multisport: Elite field competes in event

Whakatane's Sam Clark will be eying his first title at the Coast to Coast later this month. Photo / Andrew Warner

Whakatane's Sam Clark will be up against a strong elite field when he races the Coast to Coast later this month, including Australian multisport star Jared Kohlar.

While defending champion Braden Currie won't be on the start line, as he focuses on Rio Olympics qualification, Clark still has plenty of tough competitors to beat after finishing runner-up last year.

Australian multisporter Kohlar is poised to set up an intriguing transtasman battle with Kiwi Coast to Coast favourites Clark and Sam Manson.

Kohlar is spearheading a number of Australian entries in this year's iconic event being held on February 12-13 in the South Island.

He is in good form having set a new course record over the Albany Adventurethon course in Australia, which included segments of rock and boulder hopping similar to the Coast to Coast mountain run.

Karen Masson leads the Australian female entries and also has good form which includes winning the Adventurethon National Challenge Ultra distance event in Townsville.

Kohlar lost his last battle with Clark at the Augusta Adventure Fest in Western Australia, losing time in the bike leg, but hopes to mount a good challenge this month.

Adventurethon Series event director Joel Savage said he was excited by the potential of the New Zealand verses Australia showdown on race day.

"I think the bike strength goes Clark's way so the question is will it be possible for Kohlar to out run and paddle him, or will Clark use the cycle legs to damage Kohlar. Either way it's set to be a real transtasman battle that should add some real spice to the racing."

Savage said that having seen both Clark and Kohlar in action recently, he rated them as very close and both capable to beat each other.

For the women's race Masson is a performer who won the Adventurethon National Challenge 2015 and has been preparing meticulously for the Coast to Coast since July last year.

Masson has a strong bike and run leg with paddling being her newest discipline.

Masson will have to overcome top Kiwi athletes like two-time winner Elina Ussher and Corrine Smit to make the top step of the podium.

Five-time Coast to Coast winner, turned race director, Richard Ussher said he was looking forward to seeing Australians take on Kiwis.

"We are keen on growing our international competitors and there is no doubt Jared and Karen led some talented Australians at this year's Coast to Coast that will add some real spice to the racing."