ANZ City Chase drew more than 300 teams yesterday into an adventure which ranged from the North Shore's Davenport to the Eastern Waterfront's Okahu Bay.
The event was the first in New Zealand and the 300 teams made it the largest first time event per capita for any counrty which has a City Chase event. The winning team completed ten of the twenty chase points in 2hours and nine minutes.
As with many teams, and with our team, the winners had helpers at home helping out with clues and planning their course. The winners said their strategy to win was to work their way back in from the far Chase point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnUZwl-hZ6g
Check out the photos at Magic Memories. (enter code "AC99")
I competed with my flatmate Tommy. We finished eighth in 2hours 39mins, half and hour behind the winning team. Our strategy was to comlete the event in the shortest possible route and try to take public transport or hitch lifts between the most spread out chase points.
Auckland's Top 20 finishers
Pl | Team | Participant 1 | Participant 2 |
1 | Ultimate Fishs | S.Abe | J.Seebeck |
2 | MBAS | M.Lichtwark | N.Lichtwark |
3 | Silver Bullets | C.McGregor | I.Phillips |
4 | Team Commando Squad | R.Sissons | C.Bennetts |
5 | TwoThreeFive | I.Crandell-Tanner | R.Allington |
6 | Carlos and Kane | G.dos Santos | K.Harton |
7 | The Ultimate Chasers | S.Scott | J.Sinclair |
8 | Mare Force | D.Tomsett | P.Hodge |
9 | Blue Scrubs | E.Lawrey | Y.Lawrey |
10 | Monkey Nightfight | W.Douglas | N.Dykes |
11 | Juice Ferrari | D.Ripley | J.Kingi |
12 | Team Pearl Izumi | B.Tompkins | J.Keugler |
13 | Georgie Pie kids | D.Heynen | D.Averill |
14 | B.Farrand | J.Sandall | |
15 | Mod Wolves | S.Eddington | S.McDaid |
16 | Max and Anna | A.Phillips | M.During |
17 | Fast Foodies | J.Santosa | C.Rafferty |
18 | the navigators | D.Klosser | M.Dowsett |
19 | Kung Fu Panda | G.Hetaraka | R.Tupou |
20 | Wolv & Muffet | N.Dale | C.Barnett |
Talking to all of the competitors afterwards was just as much of an experience as the race itself as each team revealed different stratagies which did and didn't work and how luck had shaped a par in everyones day.
While we stayed on the southern side of the harbour, many teams which did venture to the North enjoyed jumping off The Te Mana Naval frigate.
The day was great fun and a well organised event which I am already looking forward to next year.
NOTE: A special thanks to the two blonde beauties who shadowded us throughout the race. Thanks for the laughs and the moral support, hope to see you on the Hill. Better luck next time.
A map of our chase points is at the link below.
A few of the basic rules are below. For more info see www.anzcitychase.co.nz/nzrules.html
Travel
Teams must travel only by foot or approved local public transport - bus, ferry or train, and stay within 20m of each other at all times. Any and all other methods of transportation, including, but not limited to, any form of private transportation, car, taxi, skateboard, scooter, motorcycle, rollerblades, hang glider, magic carpet, camel and rickshaw are strictly prohibited.
Use of Support Crews
Teams are allowed to accept assistance from a friend, colleague, or family member who is not on the course. For example, a team could call a person stationed at a computer for assistance with directions to a ChasePoint location.
ChasePoint Cut-off Time
All ChasePoints will officially be closed at the 6 hour mark.