Opunake High School Wins Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge

Media release
For immediate release

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Opunake High School Wins Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge

In a hard-fought battle, Opunake High School emerged with the top place at the final of this year’s Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge. Runners up last year, Opunake High emerged victorious with a total of 3980 points, 232 points ahead of their nearest rivals and winners of last year’s competition, New Plymouth Girls/Boys who ended with 3748 points. Whangarei Girls/Boys came in third with 3298 points.

Held at Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre’s (OPC) Tongariro Centre in the Central Plateau, the five-day event experienced a range of weather conditions - sometimes challenging - to see the teams battle it out in a series of wilderness and sporting challenges in the region’s mountains, rivers, lakes and bush. Each team faced challenging tests of outdoor skills and endurance as well as tests of mental acumen and teamwork.

OPC events manager, Darren Ashmore said this year’s final was a contest to the last minute as the winning team, Opunake High School, worked in terrific uniformity to win the top title.

“We’re really proud of Opunake High School for their win, they were runners up last year and had absolute determination they were going home with the first placing this year. We’d like to congratulate every team, it is fantastic to see how well they all work together, we know how much training and hard work goes into preparing for the competition.”

Ashmore also paid credit to the sponsors who make events such as the Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge possible.

“We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to our competition sponsors, Genesis Energy, Bivouac Outdoor Clothing, The Bayview Grand Chateau, Keen Footwear, Total Sport and Lactic Turkey Events. Their support enables us to make our events such a great experience for many young New Zealanders.”

Twelve teams compete in the Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge, each comprised of four boys and four girls from Years 12 and 13. Five of those teams earned entry by being the top finishers in last year’s event. The other six New Zealand teams were decided after proving their credentials in qualifying events earlier this year.

The top six finishers of this year’s final qualify for entry in next year’s competition. They are: Opunake High School, New Plymouth Girls/Boys, Whangarei Girls/Boys, Middleton Grange (the only South Island entry and winners in 2010), Cambridge High School, Hamilton Girls/Boys and Onslow College.

The other six teams will be selected in qualifying events in Christchurch in June and in Tongariro in September.

Opunake School receives a first prize of $6,000 worth of outdoor equipment from competition sponsor Bivouac Outdoor.

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The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand has been built on the legacy of Sir Ed and Graeme Dingle nearly 40 years ago. Education is still being valued as OPC’s primary benefit during the rich outdoor learning experiences.

OPC’s school programmes are about ‘seeking summits’ on many levels. OPC develops tomorrow’s leaders by building spirit, a strong sense of group unity, camaraderie and valuable socials skills that last a lifetime in unique and unspoiled New Zealand settings.

Programmes take place at OPC centres in Tongariro and Great Barrier Island, as well as nationwide events including the Genesis Energy Hillary Challenge for senior students (year 12 and 13), the YouthTown Get2Go for junior students (year 9 and 10), and NavQuest for all secondary school level students, their families and interested public.

ENDS

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