MEDIA/ NEWS RELEASE - THREDBO NAMED HOST OF WORLD SERIES XPD EXPEDITION RACE

4 Feb 2008
For Immediate Release

From the 17-28th November 2008 the alpine village of Thredbo will host up to 80 national and international teams of four athletes attempting to qualify for the 2009 Adventure Racing World Championships (ARWC). Race Director Craig Bycroft said “Thredbo has so many great things to offer the event, it is ideally located right in the heart of the high country, has all the services and facilities the event needs and plenty of adventure for teams and support crews before and after the race”.

"We are ecstatic that such a diverse adventure event is making Thredbo their home base. It is a great opportunity to showcase both the rugged and delicate highlights of the Snowy Region" said Richard Phillips Thredbo's Sales & Marketing Manager.

Entries open Sunday 10th February 2008 at 0900 AEST and like previous editions are expected to sell quickly.

Competitors will be unsupported in their 800+km journey as they race day and night on a course involving stages of trekking, mountain biking, lake and white water kayaking and roping. Navigation is a key element of the event and the course is only revealed 24hrs before the start.

The XPD course will take competitors through the highlights of the Australian High Country. Some of these experiences will include grand views some of Australia's highest mountains; flat and white water paddling on crystal clear streams and rivers fed by melting winter snow; exploring the alpine forests of snow gum, sub-alpine ash and tall mountain gums; stops at historic gold rush towns; and breathing crisp mountain air while dangling from ropes on exposed high country cliff faces.

As a member of the AR World Series, XPD is a qualifying event for the Adventure Race World Championship (ARWC). The AR World Series is an international circuit of premiere adventure races representing 10 countries creating a 12 month calendar of professional events around the world. The top two teams at each qualifying event receive automatic entry to the ARWC.

XPD receives generous support from Casio, Mountain Designs, Adventure Racing World Series, Sevylor, Thredbo and Sleepmonsters.