Media Release
Queenstown, NZ
Shape up for THE NORTH FACE Peak to Peak
2 May 2006:
The North Face Peak to Peak
As the long autumn draws to a close it's time for sporting men and women to start waxing their skis, and getting in some
winter training for 'The North Face Peak to Peak'.
For this thirteenth peak to peak the date has been shifted to a later date of 22 July. The event will again attract
multi-sporters from across the South Island drawn to the challenge of racing from the Remarkables ski area, down through
Queenstown and up to Coronet Peak ski area. Travelling by skis or snowboard, mountain bike, kayak and foot.
New major sponsor, The North Face is delighted to be associated with this annual event. Jackie Robertson, brand manager
of The North Face, believes the peak to peak is "a great event for the brand to be linked with.
For over 30 years The North Face has teamed up with the world's finest mountaineers, alpinists, climbers, skiers,
snowboarders and endurance adventurers who have defined the limits of what is humanly possible. The support of this
winter event is a logical extension of this and we can offer competitors access to leading adventure equipment."
The race starts high on the Remarkables ski field with a 2km ski or snow board down to the Remarkables access road. A
17km mountain bike down the road takes competitors to the edge of Lake Wakatipu in Frankton for a 7km paddle into
Queenstown Bay. From downtown Queenstown the final two race stages are a 9km run to the Coronet Alpine Hotel and then a
9km bike ride up to the finish line at Coronet Peak.
Race director Geoff Hunt says the event is aimed at not only the accomplished multisport athlete but with the distances
achievable by all he
encourages people at all levels of fitness to enter year.
"If the distances are too daunting to enter as an individual grab your friends or work colleagues and enter as a team.
For first timers, pulling a team together is a great way to experience The North Face Peak to Peak. Not only is it great
fun on the day for teams cheering their members on but you may find it easier to get out and train together.
Competition is fierce for the team trophies and many corporates and businesses use the race as a team-building exercise
or a healthy social outing. Teams can comprise two people or as many as five (with each person doing only one leg of the
race).
The North Face Peak to Peak rewards competitors with a sense of achievement. "Standing on the start line at the
Remarkables and being able to see the finish line in the distance on Coronet Peak may seem daunting, but creates a sense
of determination to complete the course," comments Hunt.
Competitors this year will be able to access the new web site at www.southerntraverse.com/peak2peak. With regular
competitor updating, news and features, a link to The North Face New Zealand web site, entry forms and photo galleries
from previous events.
Growing in popularity each year the race last year attracted a new record field of 76 individuals and 78 teams. Past
serious competitors have included Steve Gurney, Richard Ussher, Rachel Barton, Haydn Key, Kristina Anglem and Eric
Billoud.
Race categories for individuals include male, female and veteran. Teams can enter the open division or female, male,
mixed, business house and veteran.
The North Face Peak to Peak is also supported by Queenstown Night and Day, Queenstown Gym, K2 Skis, Smith Goggles,
Summerfields Frankton Pharmacy, R & R Sport, Loaded Hog, Leppin Sport, More FM, NZ MultiSport, Kawarau Jet and Peak Projects and nzski.com
Entries are available at all good sports stores, sponsor outlets and the Southern Traverse office.
For further information or pictures free for use, please contact the Southern Traverse office. Ph: 03 441 8215 email:
traverse@queenstown.co.nz
About The North Face®
Never Stop Exploring
The North Face, a subsidiary of VF Corporation, was founded in 1966. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the
company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme
skiers and explorers. The company's products are sold in speciality mountaineering, backpacking and skiing retailers,
premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor speciality retail chains. Additional information about The North
Face® can be found on the company's website, http://www.thenorthface.com/aunz/
Ends