Mountain Bike Series Gets Devoy Thumbs Up

Media release
27 March 2000

MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES GETS THUMBS-UP FROM DAME SUSAN DEVOY

Hansells this week launches the inaugural Hansells Vitafresh Mountain Bike Series for kids and parents, with support from New Zealand sports hero Dame Susan Devoy.

The series turns traditional competition prize giving on its head, by putting participation ahead of competition. The biggest prizes of mountain bikes, helmets and pre-paid mobile phones will be subject to a draw of all race participants. Race winners will receive a small prize and a certificate.

Dame Susan says the series celebrates the value of giving sport a go, rather than just playing to win.

"More and more these days, children are pressured to be the best in every arena - whether it's being smart, cool at school or good at sport.

"The Hansells Mountain Bike Series gives kids a break from that, and gives them a chance to have fun with friends and family while getting some exercise," Dame Susan says.

Anthony Aitken, Hansells group sales and marketing manager, says this year's event resulted from a successful trial in Christchurch last year.

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"We had about 300 entries without really trying very hard. This suggested to us and event organiser Jim Rennie that there was definitely a place for an event where winners do not take all," Mr Aitken says.

"This year we decided we would commit to a nationwide five-centre programme. If kids and their families enjoy it, we plan to make the series an annual event," he says.

The Hansells Vitafresh Mountain Bike Series will run in five centres around the country - Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland. It kicks off in Dunedin on April 30, then moves north on consecutive Sundays through May. Hansells is expecting up to 500 entries in each city.

The series includes a range of individual events for males and females aged 8-17, as well as team events and child/parent races. Entry forms are available in grocery outlets that sell Hansells Vitafresh.

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For further information, please contact:

Anthony Aitken
Group Sales & Marketing Manager
Hansells (NZ) Ltd
Tel: + 64 9 571 04 02
Fax: + 64 9 571 0352
Email:grantf@hansells.co.nz Penelope Barr
General Manager
Beyond Public Relations
Tel: + 64 9 306 1801
Fax: + 64 9 302 7169
Email: peneb@beyondpr.co.nz

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