Peak to Peak
Impressive turnout of athletes for the element Peak to Peak
10 July 2004
Athletes from across the South Island assembled in the Wakatipu for the twelfth element Peak to Peak multi sport race, yesterday.
The racing conditions were good for the record field of 78 teams and an impressive 76 individuals taking part.
Competitors traversed from the top of the Remarkables ski area across to Coronet Peak via downtown Queenstown. Competitors traveled using skis/board, mountain bikes, kayaks, foot and road bikes in teams or as an individual.
A great contest was on in the open team section with reigning champions Team Pulse Cycle Surgery winning over Christchurch Top Sport Titans who again put up a fantastic challenge and made an exciting race for competitors and spectators.
A snow fall the night before race day offered a good ski run down the Shadow Basin to the bike transition by the base building. Skiers and boarders came in fast and furious before heading off on a muddy and exciting mountain bike ride down the Remarkables access road.
At the next transition for the paddle section, competitors were met by flat waters which allowed for a fast kayak leg in to Queenstown Bay.
For the first three sections the top teams and Richard Ussher, the leading individual male, were neck and neck within 30 seconds at all transitions. Then following a fast paced run to Coronet Alpine Hotel by local athlete Adrian Bailey put Team Pulse Cycle Surgery in lead of 3 minutes. With fresh legs for the uphill bike to Coronet Peak ski area, Ashley Whitehead for Top Sport Titans dug in deep and managed to close the gap on leading biker Leigh Chapman.
Chapman managed to hold his position and rode Team Pulse Cycle Surgery to a 23 second victory in a time of 2hrs 6 mins 41 secs. Other members of the team include: Paul Kilpatrick, Dave Thompson, Nick Titov, Adrian Bailey.
Not far behind the leading teams Richard Ussher, showing his strength and style in all multi sport disciplines, crossed the line in 2hrs 14mins and 21 secs.
Ussher is delighted with his win and encouraged by the number of people in the field competing.
"It is great to see the race so well supported. The weather was good for racing and the course was in a great condition offering a fantastic playing field" said Ussher. And on finishing just a few minutes behind the leading teams, who had fresh legs for each discipline he's "pleased to keep them on their toes!"
Second place male went to Hamish Robb from Alexandra in a time of 2hrs 23mins14secs with Jacob Roberts closely behind in a time of 2hrs 23mins 41secs.
Talented female multisporter, Sally Pearson, from Alexander raced to first place female in a time of 3hrs 9mins 37secs and was delighted with her win.
Second placed in the female category was Melanie Smith from Arrowtown in 2hrs 48mins 07secs and third place went to Sophie Hart in 3hrs 01mins 14secs.
First male veteran across the line was Ray Hope from Dunedin in a good time of 2hrs 22 mins and 18secs. Multisporter Steve Gurney from Christchurch came in second veteran in a time of 2hrs 33mins 21secs and Murray Thomas from Alexandra third in 2hrs 36mins 22secs.
Traveling from Christchurch Team Topsport Titans, put up another great challenge to winners Team Pulse Cycle Surgery, they crossed the line in 2hrs 7 mins 2 secs. Whilst Know How, Can Do from Alexandra finished in third place in 2hrs 17mins 2 secs.
First female team home was the from Wanaka in a time of 2hrs 43mins 21secs. Topsport Hot As came second in 2hrs 43mins 29secs and third went to Element Chicks from Queenstown in 2hrs 56mins 38secs.
The hotly contested Business House section was fiercely fought between the Queenstown construction companies, with 1 minute between the top three teams. Naylor Love Likely Lads picked up the title in a time of 2hrs 40mins 14secs with Forge Builders coming in second in 2hrs 41min 06secs and just 8 seconds behind was Holmes Consulting Group.
First home in the mixed team category went to Queenstown Chiropractic in a time of 2hrs 15mins 37secs. The Famous Five representing James Hargest School in Invercargill raced to second in 2hrs 22 mins 06secs and 4 Guys and a Girl in third place 2hrs 23mins 48secs.
Warbirds over Wanaka flew to first place in the veteran team category in a time of 2hrs 39mins 04secs and second prize in this category went to a local Queenstown team APIGI in a time of 2 hrs 59mins 48secs.
The major spot prize, an Avanti mountain bike from element, was won by Karl Boomsma from Lake Hawea.
The element Peak to Peak receives great support from a dedicated group of associate and supplier sponsors who offer a fantastic line up of prizes for places and spot prizes including:
For further information or some action pictures free for use, please contact the Southern Traverse office. Ph: 03 441 8215 email: infost@queenstown.co.nz
The element Peak to Peak is supported by the following sponsors; element, Back on Track Physiotherapy, Ground effect, Queenstown Night 'n Day, Queenstown Gym, Outrigger at the Beacon, Earth-Fit, Summerfield's Frankton Pharmacy, K2 Skis, Smith Eyewear, MoreFM, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Kawarau Jet, Alpine Gold, Leppin, Coronet Brasserie, MacAssist and New Zealand Multisport.
Element Peak to Peak Results Summary
Teams
Team Open:
1st- Pulse Cycle Surgery, Queenstown/Dunedin
2nd- Team Topsport Titans Christchurch 2hrs 7 mins 2 secs
3rd- Know How, Can Do, Alexandra 2hrs 17mins 2 secs
Team Female:
1st- , Wanaka 2hrs 43mins 21secs
2nd- Topsport Hot Christchurch 2hrs 43mins 29secs
3rd- Element Chicks Queenstown 2hrs 56mins 38secs
Team Mixed:
1st- Queenstown Chiropractic 2hrs 15mins 37secs
2nd- The Famous Five Invercargill 2hrs 22 mins 06secs
3rd- 4 Guys and a Girl 2hrs 23mins 48secs
Team Veteran
1st- Warbirds over Wanaka 2hrs 39mins 04secs
2nd- APIGI Queenstown 2 hrs 59mins 48secs
Team Business House:
1st- Naylor Love Likely Lads, Queenstown, 2hrs 40mins 14secs
2nd- Forge Builders, Queenstown 2hrs 41min 06secs
3rd- Holmes Consulting Group, Queenstown 2hrs 41 mins 14 seconds
Individuals
Men
1st- Richard Ussher, Queenstown 2hrs 14mins and 21 secs.
2nd- Hamish Robb Alexandra 2hrs 23mins14secs
3rd- Jacob Roberts 2hrs 23mins 41secs
Women
1st- Sally Pearson, Alexander 3hrs 9mins 37secs
2nd- Melanie Smith, Arrowtown 2hrs 48mins 07secs
3rd- Sophie Hart, 3hrs 01mins 14secs
Veterans Men:
1st- Ray Hope, Dunedin 2hrs 22 mins 18secs
2nd- Steve Gurney Christchurch 2hrs 33mins 21secs
3rd- Murray Thomas Alexandra 2hrs 36mins 22secs
Vet women
1st- Sarah Kennedy, Invercargill 3hrs 5 mins 58 secs
Skiers at the Start Line
Paddlers on Wakatipu
Paddlers on Wakatipu
Richard Usher in Gorge
