Queenstown Trails Trust Purchases Renowned Motatapu Event

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY MAY 1 2013 -4.00pm

Queenstown Trails Trust Purchases Renowned Motatapu Event

May 1 2013: The Queenstown Trails Trust has purchased the internationally renowned Motatapu event from Iconic Adventures providing an income stream to help fund the on-going development of trails in the Wakatipu and ensuring the high standard of the Queenstown Trail is maintained.

Trust Chairman Terry Stevens said the Queenstown Trails Trust has been broadening its funding base for the past two years, and due to the generosity of the estate of Peter Wilding, has been able to buy the event for an undisclosed price, effective from today (May 1 2013).

“The Motatapu, which includes five separate events under the one umbrella, particularly stood out for the Trust. The 2014 event will mark the tenth year of the event and for many athletes in both New Zealand and offshore the Motatapu is seriously on their bucket list.”

The Queenstown Trail was developed and opened in October 2012 at a cost of $5.4m - a joint venture between the Government, Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Trust, with the Department of Conservation an invaluable partner. Mr Stevens also paid tribute to the community for its support enabling the 100km+ trail to become a reality.

“With cycling exploding the Motatapu has a fantastic future and it provides the Trust with an opportunity to showcase the many trails in our region to a diverse group of competitors from around the world.”

Mr Stevens said the estate of Peter Wilding, already a generous benefactor of the Queenstown Trails Trust, was pivotal to the deal. “The Trustees made a significant donation to help with the development of the Queenstown Trail and are now offering further assistance by providing a loan to help buy the Motatapu.”

Estate trustee Graeme Todd said the trustees were delighted to be able to assist the Queenstown Trails Trust further. “The Queenstown Trail has in a very short time had a huge positive impact on our community in so many ways and we need to ensure that the Trust is adequately funded to meet future calls for development and further improvements.”

Iconic Adventures directors , Geoff Matthews, Tracey Neil and Tom Pryde, developed the Motatapu event nine years ago providing an exclusive once-a-year opportunity for people to cross three historic high country properties, Motatapu, Mt Soho and Glencoe Stations, starting at Glendhu Bay and finishing in Arrowtown.

The Motatapu brand is widely recognised and the 2013 event attracted a record number of competitors competing in the mountain bike, off road marathon, Miners Trail, off road triathlon and adventure run sections.

“The directors have a huge commitment and passion for the Motatapu and have given us unqualified support. We are indebted to them and to the owner of the high country properties, Soho Property Ltd, for the opportunity to utilise this legendary event in a way that will pay continuing dividends to the community,” said Mr Stevens.

Geoff Matthews said that from the outset Iconic Adventures had a vision of creating a truly world class event that would justify Motatapu’s positioning as New Zealand’s premier off road event.

“Tracey, Tom and I are extremely proud of what we have achieved over the past ten years. We have always made sure that we put the needs of our competitors and volunteers first, and we knew that if we successfully did that, there would be tangible benefits for our sponsors, commercial partners and the community.”

“In a way, we have created a large Motatapu family, and this has made it all the harder to let go,” he said. “However, we believe that placing the Motatapu into community ownership through the Queenstown Trails Trust will give the event legs for the next ten years and beyond. We would like to publicly acknowledge all the competitors, volunteers and sponsors, as well as the landowners, who have supported the Motatapu with such passion and commitment.”

Queenstown Trails Trust CEO Kaye Parker said “the Trust is excited about the planning already under way for the tenth anniversary event in March 2014 and is delighted that experienced Motatapu event organiser Gemma Boyle, who has worked on eight Motatapu events, is confirmed as Race Director. In the tradition of the Motatapu the Trust will continue to innovate and offer fresh challenges to its present and future competitors. “

ENDS

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