The third annual
Yeti Trans NZ presented by Shimano opens doors for online registration on September 2, 2016. This twice sold-out event showcases the best of New Zealand’s South Island and kiwi hospitality with five days of enduro racing, February 26 — March 2, 2017.
“New Zealand is a unique experience unlike anywhere else in the world. A combination of people, scenery, the biking and the raw feeling that the mountains provide,” said Megan Rose, founder and race director of the Trans NZ. “It is fast becoming the dream location for any mountain biker in the North Hemisphere to visit during winter months.”
Rose hand selects all tracks to highlight the premier and exotic riding that the Southern Alps and Remarkables have to offer. The Trans NZ will explore all style of trails from the alpine and dense beech forests of Craigieburn in the Canterbury region to the iconic peaks and steep chutes in the infamous adventure capital of the world in Queenstown. A completely new day of tracks may be unveiled to start off the week.
“This is my favorite kind of event because it's more than a race, it's an adventure,” said Deborah Motsch (Annecy, FRA), winner of the 2016 Trans NZ Open Women. “We share our passion with people from all around the world, and every day we discover new singletrack and landscapes.”
The all-inclusive event offers three registration packages to soak in every bit of the experience without having to worry about the details including the “Standard” package, the “Pamper Beauty Queen” package, and the “Dirt Bag” package for locals and those who like to rough it a little more, ranging in price from $1000NZ - $1850NZ.
Travel light and keep the camping gear at home— this is one of the only enduro stage races that includes indoor accommodations in backpacker/dorm style lodges for six nights from February 25 — March 3. Meals and pick-up/return transportation from/to Christchurch is also included, or you can choose to extend your stay in Queenstown longer.
The enduro stage race format has spawned a new class of racing where the competition is nearly second to the atmosphere, camaraderie, and culture at the event. At the finish line, racers are high-fiving and congratulating each other over beers and stories. Climbs are untimed and social, and the time timed technical descents go towards the week’s accumulative standings. Everyone is on an equal playing field with the multi-day blind racing format.
“We feel like we are lost on the middle of nowhere, especially in Craigieburn,” Motsch said. “All day long we don't see any cities, houses or other humans. The wilderness in New Zealand is incredible.”
With two Enduro World Series events kicking off the official calendar in Australasia beginning the end of March, the Trans NZ is the perfect introduction to Oceanic riding. “For the riders seeking out training leading into the first big races of the year, or those who are in quest of the adventure of a lifetime, the Trans NZ will kick off a series of events with the local guidance and care to make you feel right at home,” Rose said.
Yeti NZ returns as title sponsor for the third year in a row, and
Shimano joins the team as presenting sponsor and will follow the event to support riders throughout the week.
Registration for the
Yeti Trans NZ will open on September 2, 2016 at 9 a.m. (NZST) until 11:59 p.m. on September 5. Just over one hundred riders will be elected from the lottery system, and notified on Wednesday, September 7. The Trans NZ will be capped at 110 entries for all-inclusive packages, and 10 self-supported riders.
Volunteer positions will be available for February 24 - March 3. All meals, transportation and accommodations will be provided.
For more information, contact megan@ridingbc.com or visit
www.transnz.com. You can also find Trans NZ on
Facebook for the latest details.
ABOUT MEGAN ROSE - Megan has been riding and racing bikes all over the world for 13 years and organizing bike events for the past eight years. She splits her time between British Columbia, Canada and New Zealand, running the BC Enduro Series and the new Trans BC for 2016, and running the Trans NZ race. Over the past three years Megan has personally races in over 30 enduro races, timed over 65 days worth of enduro races, and personally organized 25 enduro races. Megan and her team look forward to bringing you the best of the best from all of these perspectives.
Where you can enter as a group of say 3 people.
And if the group wins a lottery pick, then ALL 3 people get in.
Or if the group does not win the lottery, then none of the 3 people get in.
Maybe they can implement something like that for Trans NZ also?
I think it's a great idea. It certainly eliminates the chances of 2 friends getting a spot & 1 friend getting left behind.
(Note: if you enter your name on a group lottery ticket, you cannot also enter on single lottery ticket. So it is not possible to abuse this system to increase your chances of getting in. You would do group or single, not both).