Patagonia takes on title sponsorship for challenging Queenstown 8hrs@jacks event

The multi-lap relay mountain bike event, 8hrs@Jacks, scheduled for
October 23, has attracted leading outdoor sports company Patagonia as
its head sponsor and the event is expected to attract a large field
keen to compete on the challenging and scenic Jack’s Point course
overlooking Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu.

The event was staged for the first time last year by Southern
Traverse and Race Director Geoff Hunt says it was inspired by the
demand for a new and different style mountain biking race.

“We were delighted with the response, and anticipate that there will
be a lot more teams this year, now that the word is out there that it
is a very different and quite stunning course.”

“We are particularly excited about the new relationship with
Patagonia which was an associate sponsor last year,” says Hunt. “It
reflects their confidence in the 8hrs@Jacks and it is significant
that they have decided to make a bigger commitment to the event.”

Patagonia Director Hamish Cochran says there is strong synergy
between the outdoor clothing and footwear company’s brand and
8hrs@Jacks. We have been looking for a good event to title sponsor
that reflects our brands philosophy of making the best technical
products that are also nice to wear for fun outdoor activities or casually.
It is a serious race at the elite end and a fun race for
recreational bikers and we look forward to playing a bigger role as
head sponsor this year.”

The race involves individuals and teams of two, three or four members
competing on an eight kilometre course through Jack’s Point over a
period of eight hours. Teams compete in Junior, Open (men’s, women’s
or mixed) and Veteran (men’s, open and mixed) sections. One rider per
team rides a lap then tags a team mate and elite riders will complete
the lap in about 35 minutes while recreational competitors average 45
minutes.

The track, known as Straggler’s Loop, has been developed specifically
for the event and traverses areas through rocky outcrops, and even a
small gum forest on the northern edge of Jack’s Point resort, before
returning to the internal trails.

“The course is designed technically to suit recreational bikers. It
is the same as for last year’s inaugural event but there will be no
stiles to cross this year,” says Hunt. “Last year there was a great
atmosphere around the base, a lot of camaraderie and friendly rivalry.”

Jack’s Point spokesperson Sara Roy has welcomed the 8hrs@Jacks for a
second year.

“We are looking forward to hosting competitors and supporters during
the race and at the prize giving which is being held this year at the
Jack’s Point clubhouse. Geoff Hunt and the Southern Traverse team
provide great organisation for the event and the challenging and fun
race, taking in outstanding scenery and tracks, complements the
growing number of community events at Jack’s Point.”

The individual winner of the 2009 8hrs@Jacks was Andrew Ballantyne of
Invercargill who completed 15 laps, just pipping leading Queenstown
multisporter Jim Hawkridge, to take the title.

The Patagonia 8hrs@Jacks will help promote the work of the Wakatipu Trails
Trust in developing trails in the district.