GODZONE TEAM 2017
Ryan Thompson
Team Role: Navigator & Team Captain
"My interest in adventure sports was sparked while at school when I competed in the Hillary Challenge (national schools outdoor adventure champs). Since then I have taken on the challenge of a number of multi-sport and adventure races around New Zealand. I love getting out in the mountains and paddling the beautiful rivers of Aotearoa while training. When racing I enjoy the competitive aspect and pushing myself to the limit. I also teach Te Reo Maori at Whangamata Area School."
Patrick Higgins
Team Role: Biking Powerhouse & Navigator
"A 29 years old Brit living in sunny Nelson for last 3 years. Working currently as an arborist, from a mountain biking background originally - with a lot of navigational skills in the orienteering sections of the adventure race. Patrick's first and only expedition length adventure race was Godzone (Tasman) 2016, and from then on got the AR bug, representing Bivouac Inov-8 at last years World Champs at XPD!"
Bobby Dean
Team Role: All Round Multisporter and Triathlete
"Bobby is back in the team for 2017 after having previously raced Team Bivouac Inov-8 in 2015 at Tropics XPD where they came an awesome 3rd place in a highly competitive field. He has also raced for multiple other crews with Bivouac athletes Georgia Whitla and Anna Barrett, as well as coming third in Rotorua Half-Ironman behind the legend Javier Gomez! Bobby is also and is also a familiar face at trail, bike and multi-sport events in the Bay of Plenty region. "
Anna Barrett
Team Role: Trail Running and Multisport Champion
"Anna is a previous Coast to Coast 2-day champion with a great background in multi-sport beating many of the favourites to the title in 2016. Anna has also raced with Bobby in numerous races (individually, and as part of the Sneaky Weasel Gang at XPD in 2016) and is an extremely talented runner taking out the Tauranga Trail Race 2015 and previously a podium spot at The North Face 100 in Australia."
OTHER BIVOUAC-INOV-8 TEAM MEMBERS
Dayne McKnight
Team Role: Packhorse & Bike Expert
"I started multi-sport at the age of 22 and have been doing it for two and a half years now. I have learnt a lot and have loved being able to meet the diverse range of people that all these events attract. Having a back ground in motor cross and surfing has meant that I been able to make to transition to mountain biking and kayaking easily and has meant that I have been able to be competitive straight away. I am very focused on what I want to do and believe nothing is impossible. In 2011 I completed my first Speights Coast to Coast and I'm excited at the prospect of more challenges to test me and help improve me as a person and athlete. By day I work as a plumber, over the last year and a half with the help of my coach I have learnt the skills to juggle both a full time job and the training required to be competitive. My strengths would include pushing myself to the limit both physically and even more so mentally."
JJ Wilson
Team Role: Navigator & Gear Guru
"I started doing multi-sport at the age of 18 when i competed in my first every Speights Coast 2 Coast. In the last 18 months a more focused approach to racing I have seen some more encouraging results. Along with racing multi-sport races in New Zealand, in 2010 I was selected to represent New Zealand at the World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh. While over there I also competed in two other races and gained some good international racing experience. Over the past 4 years while training and racing I have also graduated from university with a degree in finance and coached rowing at St Margret's College, which has been important to me to ensure that I maintain a balanced life-style."
Becky Law
Team Role: Nutritionalist & Team Motivator
"My background is largely in the triathlon area; which started at a young age competing in the annual Weet-Bix kiwi kids triathlons, and local club races. In my later years at high school I took up kayaking and mountain biking which lead to more endurance based multi-sport racing. This lead to a taste of success in the NZ X-terra off road triathlon champs in 2006 where I won my age group and earned a place in the NZ team to compete in Hawaii at the World Xterra Champs later that year. From there I went on to represent NZ in Hamburg at the ITU Triathlon World Champs. After returning home In 2008 I attended Lincoln University and have recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce; majoring in Agribusiness and Farm Management. This has lead to a Rural Managers position with Farmers Mutual Group. Whilst at university I took a break from competing competitively to focus on my studies. This year I have got back into training seriously with my main goals being the Coast 2 Coast longest day and to compete in more adventure races both here in NZ and internationally with the team. This sport has been my passion for a long time as I love the competitive nature of racing and pushing myself to the limit both physically and mentally.""
