STELLAR SETTING: Rotorua hosted New Zealand's most successful all-female adventure race- the Torpedo 7 Spring Challenge on the weekend. PHOTO/MARTYN DAVIES.
STELLAR SETTING: Rotorua hosted New Zealand's most successful all-female adventure race- the Torpedo 7 Spring Challenge on the weekend. PHOTO/MARTYN DAVIES.
Rotorua has been praised by New Zealand's most successful all-female adventure race organisers after hosting a "spectacular" competition over the weekend.
It was the first time in Torpedo 7 Spring Challenge's 10-year history that it was held in the North Island. The course route involved rafting, biking and hiking and looped around Lake Tarawera and the forest.
The annual race attracted almost 500 entries, with many participants who missed out on the South Island Challenge last month in Golden Bay making the trip north.
Event director Nathan Fa'avae, the event director, praised the competitors and said he was impressed with the "rugged wilderness" the Rotorua race course provided.
"This was the inaugural race in Rotorua and it was incredibly successful," he said.
"The course design was brilliant - it offered participants a thrilling challenge and put them in some really remote wilderness spots.
"In particular, the rafting along Tarawera river was just amazing and the walking track was stunning."
The Torpedo 7 Spring Challenge involved a challenging biking section in Tarawera forest on the weekend. PHOTO/MARTYN DAVIES.
Rotorua's Rachael Smith was part of the winning team - Expedio Girls On Top- in the premier nine-hour course, along with fellow competitors Debbie Chambers and Emma McCosh.
It was the first time the trio had raced together winning in an impressive 06h 48m 52s- more than 30 minutes faster than favourites Rebel Warriors, which included local Nic Leary.
Smith, 39, was delighted to win, and the Orienteering Bay of Plenty athlete said strong navigation was key to the team's success.
WINNING TEAM: Expedio Girls On Top (from left to right- Emma McCosh, Debbie Chambers and Rotorua's Rachael Smith) won the Torpedo 7 Spring Challenge premier course on Saturday. Photo/ Supplied.
"I am very happy because there were a few very tough teams we were up against," Smith said.
"We are a very experienced side and it showed in a very solid performance with our navigation and that won it for us.
"I was actually surprised with the time we clocked - I expected to finish around the 8h 30m mark.
"The biking was certainly the most challenging section of the course for us but we dominated on our feet in the hiking."
Team Chilli Fillies won the six-hour race in a time of 4h 11m 07s, while school side Warts won the three-hour challenge title.
