All-Star Adventure Racing Team Aligns For One NEW ZEALAND GODZONE

New Zealand’s most acclaimed adventure racing world champions, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, Stu Lynch and Simone Maier have joined forces to race Chapter 12 of One NZ GODZONE this November as Team Rab.

The elite all-star team has collectively competed at every chapter of New Zealand's premier expedition race, One NZ GODZONE, to date, with Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, and Stu Lynch members of the most victorious team, Avaya (formerly Seagate), with captain Nathan Fa’avae (now retired).

Chris Forne is unmatched at One NZ GODZONE, having forged an impressive legacy, winning ten GODZONE champion trophies. He has won seven AR world championships and Eco Challenge Fiji.

Forne says he’s looking forward to One NZ GODZONE in Marlborough for both navigational challenges and racing over fresh terrain.

“Some good navigation is obviously one of the things I get most enthusiastic about at this expedition-length event. I prefer the longer stages, especially when the pack rafting might be a combo of paddling and trekking – that’s always quite fun.”

“Sophie is obviously excited to be racing in Marlborough as her home area, and I have not done much up there, so I am keen to explore that part of New Zealand in more detail,” says Forne. “From what I have seen, there is quite a bit of bush, which, from my perspective, is great for navigation, and water of various forms has the potential to set an excellent course."

Forne has raced twice with five-time Coast to Coast champion Simone Maier, winning the AR World Champs in Paraguay in 2023 along with Stu Lynch and Nathan Fa’avae as team Avaya. He also won GODZONE Chapter 8 alongside Maier, Emily Wilson and Marcel Hagener in 2019, and says the mixed team format works well.

“Having a team that you have a good connection with, like Sophie, Stu and Simone, does make a difference to how enthusiastic you are to race and what you get out of it,” says Forne. “Having raced with Sophie and Simone separately before, it will be fun to race all together. We’re all at similar levels, and it's more rewarding when you have that sort of bond.”

Sophie Hart is one of the most successful elite women on the global adventure racing circuit, having won One NZ GODZONE seven times, five AR world championships, and Eco Challenge Fiji.

"I think when you're in a world champion team and you're leading the race, there can be a lot of pressure, but I enjoy racing with Chris and Stu and am looking forward to getting the team back together this time with Simone Maier," says Hart. "We have a rough plan of how things might go, but you have to just think on your feet and, depending on how the race goes, hope for the best."

PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust spokesperson Rob Nichol says having the four greats of this adventure racing generation race together as Team Rab at One NZ GODZONE is a dream result.

“We are thrilled to welcome back this prestigious adventure racing team, who will bring their adventure racing prowess and dynamic to Chapter 12. This team brings a lot of mana to the event that, over the years, has become the most watched and lauded expedition event in the world. Without a doubt, they will be the serious favourites going into the race and are most definitely the team to try and beat.”

“Chapter 12 will be a celebration of some of New Zealand’s most diverse and expansive landscapes and waterways, and there is an excellent field lining up to get amongst all the action in Marlborough from November 27 to December 5, 2025,"says Nichol. " I expect an intense battle at the front-end, and it will be exciting to see which team manages to claim GODZONE victory.” #

Quick Facts

What: One NZ GODZONE Chapter 12
When: November 27 - December 5, 2025.
Where: Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Welcome & Registration Host: Blenheim
Course: The 650+ km course route remains a secret until the event starts
Teams: Pure & Pursuit categories / mixed teams of four

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