Team Blackheart now Team Macpac

After four years racing with the help of sponsor Blackheart.com.au, we now have a new naming sponsor- Macpac.


Macpac is widely regarded as New Zealand’s pre-eminent outdoor clothing and equipment brand and has almost 40 years of heritage and experience in producing quality outdoor gear.The company, founded in Christchurch back in 1973, has a long association with adventure racing as a major sponsor of events like the Adventure Racing World Championships held recently in Tasmania.

We would like to thank Blackheart for their fantastic support which have helped our team to win two XPD races and compete in the 2009 and 2011 World Championships. With Macpac on board, we believe we can achieve some even greater goals. In particular we will be focusing on the World Championships in 2013 and 2014. 


Thank you to Macpac staff Campbell Junor and Madeleine Cook for their helping in getting the team moving fast, and looking good at the same time.


Check out the Geoquest 48Hr Adventure Race Live site here. 

Godzone Adventure video and photos

Here are some photos of the course and Team Blackheart at the The new AR World Series race in New Zealand, the Orion Health Godzone Adventure. Thank you for the fantastic photos from Green Pixel.

		Godzone Adventure VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

And if you haven’t already watched them, here are the Wild Racers summary for each day. I can’t wait for the full series which starts screening in Australia on Fox on 23rd May.


Day 1 http://vimeo.com/40006975


Day 2 http://vimeo.com/40084929


Day 3 http://vimeo.com/40154523


Day 4 http://vimeo.com/40228708


Day 5 http://vimeo.com/40290236


Seagate win http://vimeo.com/40280504

Godzone Adventure almost. almost. almost.

The wait is almost over for the start of the inaugural Orion Health Godzone Adventure race in Queenstown New Zealand. This part is always the most stressful, but now sitting at Patagonia Chocolates drinking coffee, enjoying the view and chatting to teams walking by we are starting to relax.




A huge thanks to our sponsors who make racing possible and more enjoyable..
http://www.Blackheart.com.au
SILVA compasses
Shotz Sports Nutrition
Ayup Lights
Craft
Aussie Butt Cream
Moxie Gear Gaiters
Trigger Point Therapies

Team Blackheart sponsor of the day - SILVA compasses

SILVA are the leading compass manufacturer in the world. Starting in 1993, this iconic Swedish business started by an entrepreneurial trio of champion Swedish orienteers invented the liquid-filled compass, which was more precise and easier to use than other such instruments. At the same time they launched their first headlamp, setting the stage for innovation in diverse areas of outdoor sport. Though much in the company has changed, Silva compasses remain the first choice for Orienteers and Adventurers around the world. Check out more on SILVA at www.silva.se. 

SILVA Spectra OMC 66 Wrist compass

Team Blackheart, and in particular myself (Rob) and Kathryn Ewels have been using SILVA compasses for years for Orienteering and rogaining. Since taking up Adventure Racing I have found the SILVA Spectra OMC as the most useful part of my kit. Since it sits nicely on the bottom of the big thumb, it doesn't get in the way when biking or kayaking unlike other compasses. 


But don't just take my word for it. The top 3 teams from last years World Adventure Racing Championships in Tasmania were using SILVA compasses. Per from champion Team Thule is pictured with his OMC 66 on his wrist. 2nd place Team SILVA, well of course they use SILVA compasses. And kiwi World Rogaining Champion Chris Forne would be lost without his Jet 6 Spectra thumb compass. 


Check out our SILVA compass specials here. 


Get in touch if you need a compass for your next Adventure, eg Geoquest 48hr in June. 

Per from champion Team Thule is pictured with his OMC 66 on his wrist. 

Team Blackheart- What have we been up to over summer?

With the impending Orion Health Godzone Adventure starting next week, you may have been wondering what we have been up since the ARWC last November.

The Adventure Junkies X-marathon race held in late December was a great race for the team(s) with the pairs format enabling a rearrangement into 3 teams. Rob and Kathryn, Damon and Fleur and Josh and Chris Mucha teamed up to take on a small but quality field including Peak Adventure (Jarad Kohlar and James Pretto) and Thule Adventure (Jacky and Mimi) the recently crowned world champions. The course centred around Lake Nillahcootie in Central Victoria was picturesque and challenging, and the low 30’s temps made it ever tougher. Peak Adventure took the overall win in 15hrs 10mins, with Rob and Kathryn coming in just 30mins behind and 1hrs in front of 3rd place Team Thule. Josh and Chris finish 4th, and Damon and Fleur 5th (2nd mixed). Full results

Rob and Kathryn’s Wedding

On New Years Eve, the social event of the millennium took place at Mt Baw Baw in Victoria- Rob and Kathryn’s Wedding. A perfect weekend in the beautiful Victorian Alps was enjoyed by the cream of Australia’s Adventure racers and orienteers.

Damon’s running adventures

Damon continues to add to his already impressive Ultra-running resume. At the Bogong to Hotham race in the first week of January, poor weather caused the cancellation of the race at half way. Damon was leading the race at this point, 9 mins faster than his previous best time, but he didn’t feel right about keeping the winners trophy so will return next year for another go.

Then Damon headed overseas for the The Coastal Challenge, an annual 6 day, 225km adventure run through Costa Rica. After a very tough battle with a local athlete, Damon won the race. Damon's Coastal Challenge race report

Orienteering season begins

Rob, Kathryn and Josh have been keeping busy with orienteering races, both on foot and mountain bike. The first round of the SILVA National Orienteering League was held in Ballarat on the Labour Day long weekend. With 3 races over two days, and some very close and fast racing, it was great start to the season.

The following weekend was the SILVA Duo at Silvan in the Dandenong Ranges. This race involved a short scatter-o on foot (choose your own order), then MTB, then again on foot. Aaron Dodd (Melbourne Forest Racers) had a great race to defeat Rob in his first Du-O from 5 starts by about 30secs. Josh continues to improve his nav skills and was satisfied with 3rd place.

And not to be forgotten, Kim and Dave Provan teamed up with Rob Davis to win the Melton Meanders 5hr MTB rogaine.

For the first time in many years Rob and Kathryn will miss the next round of the SILVA National League, the Easter Carnival in Queensland to compete in the Orion Health Godzone Adventure.

Godzone Adventure starts in 2 weeks

Expedition Adventure Racing returns to the home of adventure- Queenstown New Zealand.

In just two weeks Team Blackheart will again toe the start line of a World Series Adventure Race, the new Godzone Adventure in New Zealand. Queenstown has been chosen to host the inaugural GODZone Adventure. Internationally renowned, it is the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four seasons lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown’s stunning scenery is challenging, yet inspiring, and offers unparalleled scope in terms of wilderness and the very best of what nature has to offer.

Check out this video preview from what we can expect to encounter. While snow topped mountains always look nice in photos, cold weather racing can be unpleasant at times so hopefully winter stays away for a bit longer.


Orion Health GODZone Adventure 2012 Promo from GODZone Adventure on Vimeo.

Our team has undergone some changes for Godzone. Rob and Josh are being joined by Rob's new wife Kathryn and NZ multisport talent Glen Currie. Kathryn has raced with Rob in Wulong Mountain Quest and Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge and represented Australia at 6 World Orienteering Championships so is no stranger to AR or international racing. Kathryn and Rob teamed up to win the Adventure Junkie X-Marathon race in December beating Team Thule's World Champs Jackie and Mimi on the way. Kathryn also raced the 2011 AR World Champs, finishing 10th with City Bike Depot, and has been poached from that CBD who are also racing in Queenstown.

Glen has been recruited for his local knowledge and multisport pedigree, having finished 3rd in last years Coast to Coast World Multisport Championships. He also won the Goldrush Multisport race and was 4th in the Oceania Multisport Champs. As an outdoor education teacher Glen has all the right skills to become a great Adventure racer and will be a huge asset to the team.

More news and pre-race discussions to follow. 

Damon's Coastal Challenge race report

The Coastal Challenge is an annual 6 day, 225km adventure run through Costa Rica. The location alternates each year between the rainforest in the south and the volcanoes in the north. In 2012 I went to compete in the north, along what they call “The Route of Fire”  with about 50 other competitors  mainly from North and Central America. The race organisers moved our kit around and set up a camp for us each day, allowing us to run with only the minimal equipment. Each night a feast was also laid on for us, with more than enough food (provided you liked rice and beans). 

The race start was in La Fortuna, next to Volcan Arenal, a classic cone shaped volcano towering 1500m above and would finish on the Pacific Coast within sight of Nicaragua. I ran most of the 25km of Day 1 which included 1500m of steep climbing, with Canadian Chris, until he dropped me on the final descent into Rancho Margot, our first camp for the race.  I felt comfortable though and knew I had kept plenty in the tank for Day 2, which was to be the toughest stage - 63km and 4200m of ascent. 

Day 2 started off fun with a few tricky river crossings before a steep and often muddy 900m climb. I got to the front early in the climb and I was with Chris again until he dropped off, only to be replaced by Roiny, a local who I was to have a great race with for the rest of the week. It took me about 40km to finally shake him as we ascended a ridge covered with wind turbines, before reaching the finish line in a local village. I must have pissed Roiny off, because he came out hard on the relatively easy 33km 

Day 3, with another 1500m climb. We ran together until he got away from me in a neat little singletrack section and disappeared and I was unable to catch him again. 

Day 4 was a little tougher, 47km and 1500m of climbing and I loaded up with Shotz gels, determined not to let him get away again. After about 15km I made the first break on a long climb and managed to get out of sight for about 30 mins until Roiny came charging past on a steep downhill. The final km was up an awesome river canyon with several crossings and swims before finishing at a waterfall. This is what I had come to Costa Rica for and was one of the highlights of the race. The heat and humidity had been intense so it was refreshing to have a swim, and it was a good chance for me to wash as I’d forgotten to pack any spare clothes for the week and it was starting to be noticed.  Later at camp I was told that after the 4 stages and 165km of running, Roiny had taken the overall lead by 7 seconds! 3^rd place was several hours behind so it was a 2 horse race. The remaining 2 days would be relatively easy, however it was promised to get even hotter in the areas we were to enter and I knew that would advantage the locals. 

The final stages consisted of a 11.5km time trial and then 20km run on Day 5 and a 22km run to the finish on Day 6. Starting in reverse finishing order at 1 minute intervals, I set off and slowly caught all the runners ahead except for a few before finishing and turning to see how Roiny went. The minutes ticked by until it became apparent that something had gone wrong. He had missed a turn and ran an additional 5 kms before realising his mistake. He finally arrived just over an hour later, obviously devastated. Knowing I now had a pretty handy lead, and with a fresh shirt donated by my suffering race mates, I could relax a bit and enjoy it (provided I didn’t get lost). To his credit, Roiny, the tenacious little bastard (the Americans loved me saying this), came good after his mistake and got back some time in the next 2 stages but I still managed to get the overall win by 1 hour in a total time of 20hr38min. Roiny Villegas from Costa Rica was second and Chris “Turets” Barth from Canada was third. It was a sensational week of running in a real paradise, supported by a helpful crew of locals and volunteers, I can definitely recommend it.

cheers

Damon

Damon Goerke wins the 2012 Coastal Challenge ultra run

Damon has won the 2012 Coastal Challenge Ultra in Costa Rica. After a tough battle with local Roiny Villegas, Damon finally gained the win in the last 2 stages of the 220km running race. Damon can now add this title to a growing list of international wins that include the Namib Desert Challenge and Gobi Desert run. Now he has just 3 weeks to recover before a title defence at the Maroondah Dam run. Congratulations Damon.

report and photos thanks to http://blog.leadadventuremedia.com/

Stage6 - Australian wins 8th edition of The Coastal Challenge

Australian Damon Goerke is The Coastal Challenge's new champion. Goerke is a long distance runner and international adventure racer.

This is his first event in Central America's tropical jungles and accentuates Roiny Villegas's strength throughout the race. Roiny missed markings on SectionA of Stage5 and ended up running twice the distance, losing his recently gained first overall on Stage4 merely 7 seconds ahead of Goerke.

Today's stage started in Junquillal, a natural reserve located on the Pacific Coast and headed north on reef and sand to finish at Bolaños Bay near the border with Nicaragua.

Male/Masculino

Damon Goerke (AUS) 20:38:42 Roiny Villegas (CRC Elmec): 21:39:17 Chris Barth (CAN): 24:21:10

Femenino/Female

Laura Hronik (USA): 29:03:48 Kelly Wilson (USA): 30:32:12 Patricia Ossenbach: 31:11:03 ---

Today's Stage:

- Km: 22Km - Start: Bahía Salinas - Finish: Bahía Salinas

DAMON GOERKE CLIMBS NEAR ARENAL VOLCANO

Damon in great battle in Costa Rica Coastal Challenge

Damon is involved in a tight battle for the lead of the Costa Rica Coastal Challenge with local Roiny Villegas.  Damon finished a close 2nd in stages 3 and 4, and with 2 stages left he is just 7 seconds behind. There are reports that race leader Villegas got lost on stage 5 so Damon may have taken the lead.

More race reports from http://blog.leadadventuremedia.com/

CRC runner, Roinny Villegas came in first position on Stage3, taking off 6m45s from the overall leader, Damon Goerke who came in second today. Goerke continues on the lead by six minutes.

Etapa de hoy:

- 33Km - 1550 Metros Elevación Acumulada - Inicio: Tierras Morenas (Faldas de Volcán Tenorio - Meta: Cuipilapa (Faldas de Volcán Miravalles)

Today's Stage:

- 33Km - 1550 Elevation Gain - Start: Tenorio Volcano - Finish: Miravalles Volcano

Male/Masculino

Roiny VILLEGAS 02:54:39 Damon Goerke 03:01:24 Chris Barth 03:39:55 Steve Bremner 03:44:41 Christian Schiester 03:48:14

Femenino/Female

Laura Hronik 04:12:19 Kelly Wilson 04:16:15 Patricia Ossenbach 04:44:47 Ana BARRANTES 05:05:40 Tanya Meeth 05:27:30 ---

Stage4 - Costa Rican takes first overall at The Coastal Challenge

Roiny Villegas runs ahead of Australian, Damon Goerke after four stages of running in some of Costa Rica's most remote locations.

"The Australian is very strong," kept repeating Villegas as he grasped first position. After 200km of running Villegas shortens the remaining five minutes separating the two racers and starts Stage5 first in the general list.

Went from the Miravalles Volcano to the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.

In the girl's field Laura Hornik (USA) holds tight to first place, followed by Kelly Wilson (USA) and Costa Rican Patricia Osembach. "I think I'm running with one less toenail," said Osembach as she complains about strong pain in her feet after 200kilometers of racing.

Male/Masculino

Roiny Villegas: 04:02:00 - General 15:53:43 Damon Goerke 04:07:00 - General 15:53:50 (00:00:07) Vicente Charpentier: 004:56:17 - General (+6:39:40

Femenino/Female

Laura Hronik: 5:57:58 - General 22:15:04 Kelly Wilson: (se define en unos minutos) Patricia Ossenbach: (se define en unos minutos)

---

Today's Stage:

- 46Km - 1550 Elevation Gain - Start: Miravalles Volcano - Finish: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Damon Goerke competing in Coastal Challenge, Costa Rica

Team Blackheart's ultra running machine Damon Goerke has started 2012 in fine form. Firstly he placed first  in the Bogong to Hotham 64km ultra. Unfortunately the race was cancelled at half way due to poor weather and Damon didn't feel right about taking the trophy. But he was in front of his best previous time at Langfords Gap by 7mins so he was certainly in good form. Good enough form that he booked a flight to Costa Rica and is now running The Coastal Challenge. This race has been on Damon's bucket list for a while now and its easy to see why. The course looks amazing and this years edition is 220km over 6 days. 

The good news is that Damon was 2nd in the first stage, just one minute behind Canadian Charlie Barth, and in front of several time Coastal Challenge winner Roiny Villegas. 

But  Damon has taken the lead on a the extremely tough stage two and now leads by 11 minutes with 150km left to race. Keep it up Damon!

Here is a link to the website-http://www.thecoastalchallenge.com/
But there are more updates via the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/TCC.Rainforest.Run

Race Facts:Dates: January 21- January 28th
Length of Race: 6 Days
Location: The remote and dry Northwestern coast and volcanic regions, through inland lakes, windswept highlands, jungle and tropical dry forest. The course is set in Costa Rica's driest area. 
Terrain: jungle and rainforest trails, rough and winding dirt roads, farm roads and some asphalt; mountain trail and some single track across ridgelines, passes and highlands; beaches and rocky outcroppings or reefs, dry tropical forest and rainforest, open lands including river/water crossings and more...

here is the stage one and two reports translated to English from http://blog.leadadventuremedia.com

(TCC2012) RECAP - STAGE 1

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012 AT 2:57 PM

In Stage 1 of The Coastal Challenge was Chris Barth Canadian who comes in first place in stage one of the event. This is the second occasion on which the Canadian competing in the sack.

The Stage 1 was very sunny and moderate wind in the hills west of Lake Arenal, where he met the goal of this first stage. This is one of the shorter stages in preparation for the second stage which has a distance of 62km.

The competitor Roiny Villegas (CRC) ELMEC team comes in third position and remains one of the favorites to win the eighth edition of the Coastal Challenge.

Kelly Nelson is the first woman to finish the stage in the female category this is the first occasion on which Kelly competes in this event and leads the overall standings.

Stage one of the event was a distance of 24 km, up to 1550 meters and accumulated two checkpoints.Started in La Fortuna de San Carlos, climbed the hill flat, went through the Arenal Volcano and came to the castle (Rancho Margot) on the shores of Lake Arenal.

This year participants from Australia, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Sweden and the United States were present to participate in the eighth edition of the ultra-marathons planet's strongest stage.

1. Barth Christ - Canada - 2:26:07

2. Damon Goerke - Australia - 2:27:15

3. Roiny Villegas - Costa Rica / ELMEC Team - 2:30:39

Stage 2 Find New Leader

In stage two of the Coastal Challenge Expedition Run World's Damon Goerke was (AUS) who won the first position followed closely by Roiny Villegas (CRC / ELMEC). Chris Barth (CAN), who finished first in yesterday's stage today suffered the consequences of a scorching sun and a cumulative total ascent over 4200mts losing first place in the overall standings.

From this stage the fight is between the Australian national Roiny Goerke and Villegas.

The Stage 2 began in the Arenal Volcano and went to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, then heading north through the mountains to pass Tilarán Wind Project near Lake Arenal and then turning to the community in Moray Land Volcan Tenorio

In the women's U.S. Keri Nelson had to retire in the Doping Control after presenting two knee problems and fatigue.

The stage went from tropical rainforest in the Cloud Forest Arenal to Monteverde area and then dry forest in Guanacaste where competitors have four stages to go before reaching the finish line in Bahia Salinas near the border with Nicaragua

There is nothing defined yet, four stages remaining after the event and more than 150 km yet to go on the slopes of the volcanoes of Guanacaste.

Masc. 1. Damon Goerke - Step 6:18:49 - 8:46:04 2 General. Roiny Villegas - Step 6:27:09 - 8:57:30 3 General. Chris Barth - Step 8:15:53 ​​- 8:57:30 General

1 female. Laura Hronik - Etapa 8:48:10 - General 12:12:24 2. Kelly Wilson - Etapa 9:14:31 - General 12:50:38 3. Patricia Osembach - Etapa 9:14:31 - General 12:57:48

More #ARWC2011 photos- thanks to Craig Shadbolt

Craig’s full photo album is here.

The photos of Team Blackheart are at the end of the 2nd last MTB ride and the final coasteering section. There’s also a few good pics of City Bike Depot hunting us down on the final trek.

There are some great photos of the river crossing at Reynolds Falls. I particularly like this photo of Aaron Prince of Team SILVA. The look on Aaron’s face is pricelist. It brings back the memories of “oh shit, do we really have so swim across there?” I don’t think I really appreciated the beauty of the waterfall until I looked at these photos.