A DV E N T U R E
Team Virbac Animal Health headed for a win in the 2017 Godzone mixed pursuit section; teammates Anthony Oswald (left) and Brendan Hickman
Relentlessly forward to victory B Y A N N A B E L L E L AT Z PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX SOCCI
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he pressure of defending a title always adds extra fuel to a race. GODZone – ‘An adventure like no other’, as it’s been coined – was just that according to teammates Brendan Hickman and Anthony Oswald. These adventure racers took it all in their dusty stride and gruelling pedal stroke. Hailing from Ward and the Awatere Valley, Brendan and Anthony, Virbac Animal Health veterinarians based in Nelson and Taihape respectively, took top spot in last year’s pursuit section of GODZone. With new teammates Adam Stanyer and Tina Moore, they took top honours once again for 2017. Standing on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in February, at the start line of a journey that would cover 360km of southern terrain, they were sure as heck going to put up a fight to win. With little idea about the quality of the 14 other teams in their section, a successful campaign relied on careful planning. “The race was all about being competitive: good preparation, a well68
organised support crew, quick transitions, RMF, (relentless forward motion) and minimal sleep,” says Anthony. For three days and 13 hours this team trekked, mountain biked, kayaked, ‘gorgeered’, rafted and abseiled their way around the land and in the waters surrounding Queenstown. Hitting the top of the climbs – in particular the trek up Mt Crichton – rafting the Skippers Canyon and mountain biking into Halfway Bay were just some of the highlights. “Especially the last paddle for our team – Lake Wakatipu was like glass,” says Brendan. “We were in a drag race and had to give it our all, mentally and physically.” The course to victory wasn’t plain sailing. Anthony broke his derailleur just 50 metres into the first mountain bike, but thankfully it was downhill into Queenstown, where they got themselves sorted. The team were in a solid first position at the final trek, but bluffs and dubious ridgelines posed challenges and meant very slow-going. They thought they’d lost
their lead to second-placed team Best Foot Forward, which included a local link in Marlborough-born, Queenstown-based Kate Baxter. “Walking into transition at Kingston after that trek, thinking we had blown our lead, only to find out we were still 30 minutes ahead, was a real highlight,” says Anthony. Brendan adds: “Crossing the finish line after that was quite emotional for our entire team. Our support crew and families had been riding an emotional rollercoaster with us throughout the last day.” For Adam, a Nelson-based vet, this was his first adventure race. Although his knee gave him some solid gyp, he loved his adventure, and encourages anyone to have a go. “There are so many things you can’t predict … but that’s what makes it special. Once you have done this race – sure, you will hit some highs and lows – you will never forget the journey that you made as a team.” Virbac Animal Health raised nearly $4000 for Starship Hospital, a recipient particularly close to the heart of Anthony. His young daughter Pippa underwent open-heart surgery when she was just five days old. She’s now a healthy five-year-old. “Starship is such an amazing place, and my wife Charlotte and I have always wanted to give something back,” says Anthony. The team paid tribute to their support crew: “Thank you so much for being so energetic, positive and making sure we had fast transitions,” says Brendan. “Chris Royds, Kevin Graham, Kieran Hickman and Brad Moore deserve huge accolades as they did superbly. They went with minimal sleep, lots of curveballs and pressure to get it right, which they did.”