TOP 5 EXPEDITIONS
World Championships 2011
We are pleased to introduce to you, our team to take on this years World Championship Adventure Race in Tasmania starting 30th October 2011 and lasting for 10 days. We have assembled a young and upcoming team of athletes who will be dedicated to training and preparing themselves to undertake what will no doubt be one of the most gruelling and difficult events they have ever faced. The race covers some 700 kms of terrain using mountain bikes, kayaks, rafts, opens and trekking legs. This is a non stop event with only one mandatory 6 hour stop required during the event. It will push them and all other teams to their absolute limits both physically and mentally. As well there will be a number of lead up events and exhausting training to make sure they come as well prepared as possible.
Special Note : It appears that to be a member of this team you have to have a name we can add a "y" to the end of to give their diminutive! (Except for Mel)
Team Member #1 (Captain) - Jeff Price " Pricey"
About Me: Age 32. A dairy farmers son from rural NZ with an upbringing to appreciate the outdoors, and a practice approach to problem solving. After completing my forestry degree I headed to Tasmania to be a forester where I learnt how to nav in remote locations as we would run bearings for kilometres at a time in an attempt to find old trig points and private land holdings (pre GPS days). From here the outdoors were explored and Mountain bikes and triathlons took hold. This was fuelled from uni days as many friends completed in the coast to coast whilst I played rugby. From Tassie I had a small stint back in NZ where more racing took place but nothing really serious until I returned to Oz and took up residence in the Blue Mountains where I met team mates (plus others). Over the last 5 years I have been actively racing in all forms of the sport from multisport, adventure, tri, rogaining, bike and paddle races with mixed results.
Event History: My best results today would be 7th in open male in two day anaconda race earlier this year. Strengths: Paddle and Bike .Some races - 3x Geoquests, AROC 50 hour, 2x Kathmandu 24hr (2nd) World Rogaine champs 24hrs, Arrow 24hr, Hawkesbury classic (3rd LREC2), Bridge to manly (1st in class), kayak for Kids (1st in class) mountain bike races, Anaconda Forster (7th open Male), many sprint races (won a few).
Team Member #2 - Matt Shields " Matty"
About Me: Age: 34 One of my most vivid childhood memories was scrolling through the pages of a National Geographic Magazine and seeing foreign countries and cultures. This has staying with me since that time and I've wanted to experience these places first hand. Expedition style adventure races are as big as it gets in the sport and after finishing the Cairns 2010 XPD I'm ready to take on the worlds best in 2011. Adventure racing provides me with the opportunity to explore some of the most remote and pristine areas on the planet. With years of bike racing under my belt we'll be mowing down the competition and leaving them in our dust. I love the outdoors and revel in a good adventure into the unknown with my mates. Strengths: Navigation and strategy.
Event History: XPD 2010 9th overall ,Land Rover 2009 G4 Challenge - Australian Representative, Arenal Adventure Race Costa Rica 1st overall 2007, GeoQuests – 2006, 07, 08 with 5th place in 2009,MAX 24hr 2010 2nd Mens, 2008 2nd Mixed pairs, AROC 2009 Sydney - 2nd Overall & AROC 2009 Canberra - 2nd Mixed, NSW 2009 State Rogaining champs 2nd, AROC 2008 final at Murrays Beach - 1st overall & AROC 2008 Canberra - 2nd Male, NSW Metrogaine 2008 – 2nd Male team, AROC 2007 Central Coast - 1st overall.
Team Member #3 - Mark Howell "Marky Boy"
About Me: Age : 37. Born and grew up in the Blue Mountains. As a boy I spent my time exploring the bush on my horse. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and playing sport. I accepted a challenge to try adventure racing and have been hooked ever since. Enjoy working as part of team and pushing/ testing my physical and mental limits. Have been competing in various events over the years including Rogaines, adventure races, mountain bike races and kayak races.
Event History: Events completed so far include: 3 Geoquests, Vanuatu adventure race, Arrow 24hour, Kathmandu 24 hour, Hawkesbury classic(kayak), AROC 50 hour, World rogaine champs, numerous sprint adventure races and rogaines(on foot and kayak). Two time winner of the Kathmandu Blue Mountains. I love adventure and a challenge and so far I have completed the Kokoda track, trekked in the jungles of Borneo, paddled around the Komodo islands and have been perched on the edge of an active volcano(awesome!)
Team Member #4 - Melanie Pelly "Mel"
Age: 32 With my love of the beach growing up, in my early 20’s I
decided to get my Bronze Medallion, join Manly Lifesaving Club, and
start competing in surf lifesaving. Since then I have won 3
Australian titles, as well as the over 30 female category of the
Coolangatta Gold in 2009 and 2010. I have been doing this now for the
last 12 years, and this is really where my love for adventure
started. I started surf ski racing, which has gradually led to longer
events and wilder ocean paddles as the years have gone on. In 2007 a
few friends and I then decided to do the Anaconda in Forster. Having
not ridden a mountain bike for 10 years, and never run 16km, this was
my first taste of the adventure racing challenge! Since then I have
never looked back, competing in numerous events and challenging
myself a little more each year. The main things that keep me going
are the people I meet, the amazing scenery and places that come with
the races, and the physical and mental challenge of each race. 2011
will definitely be my most challenging year yet! Strengths: Anything
in the water.
Event History: Anaconda 2 day adventure race, Forster - 2007, 2008, 2010. Best result, 3rd in 2010. Keen Adventure Race, 2009. Kathmandu Max 24, 2009. Go Natural Multisport, 2008-2010 (1st in 2008, 2nd in 2009, did ankle in 2010!) Blackheart 24hr, 2010 (1st place). Mountain Designs Sprint Adventure Race 2010 (1st) Kathmandu Central Coast 2010 (1st), and Glenrock 2011 (2nd).
ACTIVITIES
