Chris Forne is expecting his mostly Queenstown team will encounter some wildlife during the Adventure Racing World Championship in South Africa this month, but is hoping most of the “exciting animals” will be safely locked away in game parks.
The 46-year-old is referring to the likes of lions and rhinos, which he hopes to not stumble across while defending the title, which he won at last year’s world champs in Paraguay, with a new team.
He has yet to race with fellow Queenstown team-mates Eryn Cutler and Tom Lucas plus Wellington’s Ali Wilson, but has competed against them a number of times.
He concedes the team hasn’t “afforded ourselves the most optimal build-up” for the 700km-plus epic they will run, trek, mountain bike and kayak over days and nights through the Eastern Cape Province.
However, he’s hoping their experience will get them through the mixed event based in Kouga.
Forne’s experience alone is probably second to none on the globe, having won eight adventure race world championships and nine GODZONE adventure races – including this year’s event in Fiordland/Southland.
As navigator, he will literally be charting his team’s success in the race, which sets off on October 16.
As well as his adventure racing titles, Forne has tasted national and international success in rogaining, winning three world championships and as a NZ orienteering rep.
It’s the navigation skills he has honed in those sports that will be key in getting the team safely and efficiently through the South African wilds.
Organisers keep the course route under wraps.
“They drip-feed us the maps and hand them out during the actual event.
‘‘The first maps will be handed out at the start, another set of maps at a transition.”
What he does know is the race encompasses lots of “little random villages and trails that go everywhere and aren’t very well mapped”.
“So that’s a bit of a challenge.
“There’s lots of deserty dry areas, so it will be really vital to carry enough water.”
Another challenge is getting an unfamiliar team humming in time for race day.
He, Cutler and Lucas are getting in some good training together in the Basin, but won’t be teaming up with Wilson until they board the flight on October 14.
Despite all the logistics involved in keeping the team fed, watered and aligned with the likes of bikes and kayaks, the foursome will be “self-supported”, as they do not travel with support crew.
Forne prefers it that way, and says it’s all part of the adventure racing deal.
As are the decisions around sleeping during the event.
“How long to sleep, when to sleep.
“Part of the strategy is getting enough sleep but not too much sleep.
“It’s a fun challenge — trying to go out and win world championships is always something special.
“We’ve been to some really cool parts of the world.
‘‘If you were a normal tourist, you wouldn’t get to experience what these events offer.
‘‘The organisers try to make it as challenging and as interesting as possible, but also safe.”
