Land Rover Perfect Compliment For Multisport Star

Media Release
23 July, 2001

Managing Director of Land Rover New Zealand, Peter Lockie, with Neil Gellatly and his new Discovery S Td5.

Land Rover Endurance And Relaibility Perfect Compliment For New Zealand Multisport Star

Two-time New Zealand Multisport champion, Neil Gellatly, has been joined in his quest for continued national honours by the support of Land Rover New Zealand, and a new Land Rover Discovery S Td5.

The vehicle, which is supplied as part of a sponsorship agreement with the motor company, will become a critical tool for use as part of his training for the four events that make up the New Zealand Multisport calendar, as well as the mammoth 28 day long 'Wild Places' length of New Zealand Challenge.

Multisport events consist of grueling stages including cycling, road and alpine running, mountain biking and kayaking. These marathon length events break competitors as often as they break equipment.

"As well as the 'Wild Places' Challenge, there are two events in the North Island and two in the South which make up this years calendar," said Neil Gellatly.

"The size, versatility and four wheel drive capabilities of the Discovery make it an ideal vehicle for traveling to and helping me train for these events," he said.

"The Discovery will enable me to get to hard to reach locations and places that are inaccessible to two wheel drive vehicles. These are places I have not been able to access previously, and will also mean my support crew will be able to travel through streams and across stony river beds to collect me after kayak exercises."

Winner of the New Zealand Multisport title for 1999/2000, and again for the 2000/01 season, Neil has competed in the legendary Coast to Coast Multisport event five times – an event which he says never gets any easier.

"Last years event doubled as the World Championship, and for the second year in a row I finished third. I was pretty happy with the result, but want to improve."

"There is time for this to happen, as the top competitors these days are all a lot older than me, and being only 28 years old means that I still have many more years of serious competition left ahead of me."
Neil's dedication to Multisport has impressed many people, none more-so than the Managing Director of Land Rover New Zealand, Peter Lockie.

"Neil is a prominent and consistent performer in the Multisport scene, and his results and perseverance with training have seen him achieve what others can only dream of doing," said Mr. Lockie.

"As well as working full-time, Neil is able to average 50-60 hours of training a week. This dedication has really impressed us, and we are proud to be supporting such a committed and professional New Zealand athlete."

Neil lives in Auckland, and while frequently using the harbour, lake and nearby Waitakere Ranges to train, often travels south to Taumaranui to be close to the central plateau and the physically demanding alpine environment on offer.

"My parents also live down there, and it is great to base myself there and head into the mountains to train for mountain running or mountain biking. I will now though be able to do the trip in a lot more style and comfort, thanks to the new Land Rover Discovery."

For more information contact Lisa Franklin, Land Rover New Zealand Public Affairs
Phone (09) 277 8556, Mobile (025) 997 761, lfrankl3@ford.com

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