I lined up for this event on the 13 August. This is one of my favourite long standing multisport events having done my first Peak to Peak back in 2001 (!) and having now clocked up 8 more since!! I really enjoy the fast paced mix of disciplines involved in this race.

The support crew offering some last minute advice before the start

I must make it clear I am not really a good skier at all so it is always a relief to get through the ski section ‘un-damaged’ and then usually play a bit of catch up on the time lost on a slower ski section.

I had all of my gear organised the night prior to the event and support notes sorted for Neil my uncle who was crew man for the day. Wifey Cherie took charge of our three boys at home with the plan of meeting me on the last stage to the finish later in the day!

The event starts high up on the Remarkables Ski field with a run down from a rocky spot high on the ridge to waiting skis and then onto a cat track before launching onto the run ‘Homeward Bound – (Black Diamond – steep). I had a day skiing at TC on the Wednesday prior to the race however the race day ski was a lot steeper than my ability is so I was like a bit of a human torpedo on the steeper slopes and manage a couple of good wipe outs!! Anyway off the ski section undamaged and onto my trusty Trek Fuel EX 29er for the 17km MTB stage down the ski field access road heading for Frankton Beach where stage 3, the Kayak to Queenstown bay began. Now that it’s sealed I had a fast descent down the ski field road, a whole lot different to the early years of doing this event when it was unsealed and not as much ‘hanging out’ around the corners!!

All those training miles were being put to good use come race day.

Into the Kayak at Frankton beach and it was time to really put the chase on the faster skiers and teams. Kayaking is one of my stronger disciplines and piece by piece I picked off a large number of paddlers in the 7km paddle to Queenstown bay.

Out of the Kayak and feeling good, the 9km run out to the bottom of Coronet Peak Ski Field road began. It’s a pretty gradual incline for the whole 9km and I got into a good pace and knocked this out in 39 minutes, a time I was pretty happy with. For the duration of the run, I had in my mind the last gruelling stage, an 11km uphill cycle to the base building of Coronet Peak Ski Field.

Coronet Peak access road – Yes that’s it still snaking it’s way to the valley floor in the distance!

I had chosen to take my road bike for this stage, the main reason for this was due to the super light weight over the MTB. The slight negative of this choice was the roadie has a slightly higher gearing so I would have to dig deeper and push harder as the legs were by now feeling pretty tired with no option of getting out with some ‘easy spinning’. Anyway onto the last stage and I just pushed away on the pedals, working hard at chipping it off bit by bit.

I eventually made it to the top feeling pretty well drained of all energy but with a great feeling of satisfaction. One of the highlights of the race was during the last stage when my wife Cherie came along in the car to meet me with our three boys. The little voices cheering “GO Dad” from inside the vehicle as they cruised past made all the difference and boosted me onto a happy finish to be greeted by them all!

Pretty knackered by the time I reached this sign but a hugely satisfied feeling.

All up a finish time of just on 3hrs30min and a fantastic #seeyououtthere day!!

Quality Gear that got me through the day thanks to Torpedo7:

Toastie Icebreaker base layer and socks to insulate a little!

Atomic Skis & Salomon Boots soreted by the crew at Racers Edge Powered by Torpedo7

Trek Fuel EX8 29er for the awesome descent down the ski field.

JKK UFO Kayak – slick and quick through the water.

Giant TCR Roadie to crank up the final cycle stage to Coronet Peak