Team Next Generation is a promising young adventure racing team based in the South Island of New Zealand.
This year the team features four Torpedo 7 athletes Tim Farrant, Elisha Nuttall, Emily Wilson and welcomes back Hamish Fleming.
The team’s first race on the calendar is the much anticipated Godzone Adventure Race held in the Mt Aspiring National Park region near Wanaka from the 28th of February to the 7th of March.
Wanaka is home for Emily and Hamish and close to Tim and Elisha’s base in Christchurch so the team is very excited to get to race through their own region in what is shaping up to be a strong international field this year. Despite being one of the youngest teams involved, the group has competed in a combined total of over 12 races on the Adventure Racing World Circuit over the last 3 years. All four team mates have a burning passion for adventurous activities that push the boundaries and have been involved in varies forms of competitive sport whilst at school and university. These experiences have given the team a great combination of skills which better enables them to cope with the large mental and physical demands of adventure racing.
Tim is the Rogaine specialist, having won the New Zealand, Australian, North American and World Junior titles and the recent N.Z title in the Open Men’s division, this guy is extremely good with a map in hand. Tim is a natural leader and has the ability to install great confidence in those around him with his calm but direct approach. The team has had the privilege of been organised and captained by Tim for the last few years.
Elisha is the mountaineer and paddling expert, he has climbed several major peaks, summiting Mt Cook twice and has represented New Zealand in canoe polo. Elisha gives the team a worthy boost with his technical skills and is the all-round nice-guy, with a very easy-going nature and strong shoulders for pack horse duties!
Hamish is the man of many talents, skilful and experienced in a wide range of outdoor pursuits, light and fast on his feet, he has recently been smashing out some great results in the hotly contested round of multisport stage-races in China. Hamish is a real team player who always has the team’s best interests at heart. He can navigate seriously well, has great leadership skills from captaining teams in the past and is the level-headed mediator when things are not going to plan.
Emily is the team mother and energiser, with a wealth of race experience in different teams, she has good communication skills and keeps everyone feed and entertained with her endless chatter and positive spirit. Emily is determined and consistent across all disciplines, always happy to take more weight and she only tends to get stronger as the race goes on.
The team have built up a great deal of trust in and respect for each other from racing and training together over the last few years. This trust and respect is vital in a sport which has elements of real risk and where careful decision-making and cooperation is needed to move effectively through the course. It can be said that Team Next Generation is a close unit of friends that enjoy each other’s company and want to discover how fast they can push their bodies over some of the best terrain that New Zealand (and the world) has to offer.
For Next Generation the aim is simple, have as much fun as possible while going as fast as possible. This year the team believes that they have one of the best combinations yet and can’t wait for the next adventure to start on the 28th of February.
See them out there or follow dot number 27 on the live tracking at www.godzoneadventure.com.
