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Team Trinity training in the beautiful New Zealand Marlborough Sounds. |
The Teams 2008 ACCOR BLACKS
This is Lee “they don’t call me Hercules for nothing” Watkins second time on the Cure Kids Race to Survive Fiji race and this time he intends on doing more than just surviving! Lee enjoys listening to the sound of rain falling, the smell of bread baking and if he was a crayon, he would be the purple one but don’t let his sweet side fool you, this lean mean fighting machine will be ready to speed right past all the other competitors once he has had his daily fix of coco pops! Lee is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Novotel Ibis Tainui Hamilton and he hails from all the way down in Palmerston North and he is ready to lead the Accor Blacks to victory!! Claire Martin seems like another big softie, especially after she has finished watching SPCA animal rescue on the telly, but be prepared for a few surprises, this is one tough cookie!! Claire is a Taxations Services Manager for PWC New Zealand and this lady knows how to crunch abs as well as figures! Claire has a bit of a self confessed sweet tooth so her team mates will be running along in front of her with a scrummy crème brulee to keep her motivated!! Claire is looking forward to meeting the beautiful children of Fiji and raising money and awareness for the Fijian Children’s medical care! Troy Newton is the General Manager for Mercure Windsor Hotel situated smack bang in the middle of Auckland. This hotel is doing more than enough to keep this wonder boy on his toes but he decided to challenge him self further with the Race to Survive Fiji! Troy is relying on his 20/20 vision, fresh coffee and his many special talents, details of which he will not divulge, to keep his edge over the competition. Troy comes from Waihi, a small town on the coast of New Zealand and he has a lot of experience doggy paddling through waves so watch out, his bark isn’t as scary as his bite! Morgan Emery has been thinking to herself lately that she doesn’t quite know what she has gotten herself into, but don’t you worry, her mind is stronger than her matter, she doesn’t come from Waikato, the land of the mighty Chiefs, for nothing! Morgan is the Regional Office Receptionist for Accor Hospitality New Zealand and Fiji so she is used to dealing with many challenges, mainly the too many Australians in her office, so she knows that the bulk of Aussie competitors wont be able to pull the wool over her eyes! Morgan is a Taurus and was born in the Chinese year of the Ox, a double stubborn whammy and she is determined to raise many many dollars for the gorgeous children of Fiji and make it through the race in one piece! These four are trouble and are determined to live up to the name of the mighty AB’s, keep your eyes wide open for the ladies and gents in black, the Accor Blacks, ready to smash, bash and crash their way through whatever Fiji throws at them!! TEAM TAO ASIA "THE TURTLE"
Free and smooth in the water, long lasting, born on the beach and practical enough to carry a home on their back prepared for any occasion the turtle is a truly majestic creation. Personnel for Team Tao: Murray Davison, “Mr Fundraiser”, previous Fiji resident, CK Hero and currently residing in Auckland. No stranger to this race format Murray was Race Director (drill sergeant) on the last RTS and is looking to sharing the blood sweat and beers from the “other side”. Murray is discovering the joy of early mornings and late nights as he prepares for his first of many adventure races. Motivated by the laughter afforded him when he announced to those close to him he was turning to competitive sport and Adventure racing the “big man” will be one to watch as the race draws on. Erwann Mahe, “The man of steel” known for his sterling efforts in Triathlon. This very popular French tuned athlete is keen to set the pace of the weeks racing. Using Asia as a base and living in Thailand running a multi Ibis hotel unit Erwann uses the small hours of the morning for his unique Bangkok street training and is often seen assisting other fallen comrades along the way. Erwann will be essential towards the end of the race to assist the older members of the team through a myriad of challenges both physical and otherwise. No doubt he will need every ounce of race experience and empathy towards the aging to pull the team in his wake.
Jim Moore, “The mountain man” having recently moved to Queenstown, New Zealand to be head honcho at Novotel Queenstown ans a ferocious supporter of Cure Kids. Jim joined Team Tao just two weeks out from the Race. Cycling - not a problem: Jim has been there done that in the Accor Cycling to Cure Kids. Running - not a problem: Jim has been there, done that in the Cure Kids Great Adventure Race. Outrigging - not a problem, after all what is in a bit of a paddle? Swimming - hmm. The man is packing his childrens floaties and rubber duckies to help him along the way. (Ed's note: Jimmy Moore - you walk on water - a big Bula Vinaka!) Paul Stevens, “The veteran”, ex Fiji resident, uncompromisingly passionate about the kids of Fiji and currently residing in Bangkok. Paul saddles up for his 2nd RTS after being one of the team along with Murray, Paul C and Sonya that first conceived the idea. Yet to find his specialty in the 5 (ed's note - 5, thought there were only 4?) disciplines of the race Paul trains hard in all but masters none. A solid race performer that will enjoy the spoils of giving the Children of Fiji a chance at life. Team Tao is doing the Race to Survive for the comraderary between competitors and supporters, the chance to race around the beautiful tropical Fiji Islands and most of all we believe that Fijian kids have the right to life saving and life improving medical assistance via equipment that is purchased and maintained and medical training in modern techniques for local doctors and nurses. AGAINST ALL ODDS www.againstalloddsteam.blogspot.com
The latest team to join the ACCOR RACE TO SURVIVE TO CURE KIDS, the team was formed in mid July. Yet despite their late inception, they are brimming with confidence and enthusiasm. Their confidence may be due to the fact that none of them did this race before and do not know what they are getting into. Their enthusiasm may not help them to finish this race at the top ranks, however, it may lead to a great amount of donations for the kids. Cenk Baban Cenk decided to take part in the race when he saw the race DVD -many times during his honeymoon at Fiji. He is the team captain. Although team members told him they elected him because he looked more “athletic” than everyone else, he suspects it is because they want him to do all the paperwork. But he will have his revenge by organising rigorous training sessions. When he is not plotting his training sessions, he can be found @ Mercure Hotel Sydney Airport- looking after marketing. He loves all of the sports in the race and is a veteran ACCOR team member of City2Surf and Corporate Triathlon. Ana-Maria Montoya-Lazo Among hectic wedding plans, Ana- Maria put her hands up to take part in this great race. According to one conspiracy theory, it is because she wants to fit in to that wedding dress she contemplates buying. Nevertheless she promised to schedule the wedding after the race and do not let her wedding plans stop her from training. Among all this chaos, she is still a long term member of Construction & Cost team in Sydney. Trish Oswald Trish has no experience in endurance events, but does enjoy team sports. Trish plays a high level of hockey in winter and enjoys some social touch footy and recreational football in the summer. Trish has never been to Fiji before and is looking forward to the challenge and the experience of a lifetime. The opportunity to help support such a great cause is a major motivstor for Trish who is the Furniture, Fittings and Equipment Supervisor for Accor Asia Pacific. Lee Marklew Lee is rumoured to celebrate his 60th birthday which would entitle him to be rewarded as the oldest participant in the race. Yet, it is only a rumour and his real age is kept as a secret. His training regime is another secret which makes him the “ secret weapon” of the team. Lee’s slowest time in the City to Surf was 69 minutes but that is also rumoured to have been 30 years ago. His previous experience in long distance swimming and the fact that he has access to 3 canoes position him as a crucial team member. He is known to burn the midnight oil as head of Construction team in Sydney.
TEAM TRINITY
This fabulous team of four hails from the 3 sports capitals of NZ - Picton, Auckland and Wellington. Often referred to in their respective capitals as "super athletes" they turned down requests from the NZ Olympic committee to represent NZ in Beijing in favour of helping out the kids in Fiji. Team Trinity has already met in Picton for their first training session together - the team was spotted by paparazzi on the harbour in an outrigger racing against all forms of water transport, in the end giving up on the motorboat and successfully taking on the Interislander Ferry. The team spirit is fantastic and captain Stefan Kracke is continuously reviewing the training process to make sure the team will deliver peak performance in October. Casey Potatau (AKL), Kirsty Parkhill (WGT), Di Ivamyand Stefan Kracke (both PIC) are on a mission to battle the rough seas and rocky roads of Fiji to bring sunshine into the kid's lives. It’s official, there is no stopping them. Bring on Fiji!!
GONG GLADIATORS Yes you have heard right. Wollongong is going back to Fiji. It has only taken nearly 2 years to recover from last time Wollongong walked the sandy beaches of Fiji. We came, we saw, we conquered. This time we’re back with some old faces and some new ones also. So you may have thought you knew Wollongong, but you have no idea!! Now to introduce this years Gladiators….
MAYHEM – Never a quiet moment with this man around, a fact anyone that meets him will soon realize. Also a seasoned veteran of the Cure for Kids experience, his flair and charisma behind the bar transfers across as a determined man infront of it. He showed his abilty to explode in competition last time and his Thorpedo type swimming skills are forever etched in the minds of competitors past. Mayhem is large and in charge, let the silence be broken. GLAMAZON –
CRASH & BURN
Will they or won’t they-that will be the question as this dynamic foursome travel from Sofitel Werribee Park Mansion Hotel & Spa all in the name of the kids! Leading the team is General Manager John Dickson an “ironman of sorts” if nowhere else at least in his own mind-there to make the best deal possible! Supported by Rooms Division Manager- Rob Unson, Chef de Partie- Ben Bollwell and Pastry Chef- Kate McKenna this team is looking to win where it counts- in fundraising where ever possible to bring in a great donation for the kids! ISLAND HOPPERS
New to the Cure Kids circuit, the Island Hoppers team is a mix of corporate and hotel employees with one common goal – to raise money to help the kids of Fiji while challenging themselves physically and mentally…and, of course, to celebrate the experience and their achievements afterwards! Meet the team… He’s only been back working with Accor since May and already Assistant Brand Manager Sam Angelico has stepped forward to help the kids of Fiji. Sam’s experience competing in triathlons has helped him get back into training since relocating since Brisbane, for his first Cure Kids event and his first visit to Fiji. Detta Holloway joins the team from The Menzies Sydney, where she is Duty Manager. A member of Bronte Surf Club in Sydney, she’ll be right at home in Fiji’s waters and knows them well, this being her third visit to the islands but her first time for Cure Kids. Assistant Online Marketing Manager for Australia, Michael Mangos is no stranger to endurance events. If he’s not adventure racing somewhere in New South Wales, you’ll probably find him training for a marathon run, kayak or bike ride. No wonder this all-rounder was voted team captain! Nishara Miles rounds out the Island Hoppers’ Sydney component and like her teammates, will be taking part in her first Cure Kids event. Another Bronte clubbie, Nishara is a newcomer to Accor and joined the company in January as Sponsorships Manager. The Island Hoppers fifth and local Fijian team member will be announced in the coming months – stay tuned! BILLA BILLABONGS What do you get when you combine the tribal passion of Fiji with the calm, cool and collected commitment of Accor’s original corporate office team in Australia? That’s right, it’s the BULA BILLABONGS!
Hailing from Accor's corporate office in Sydney, team Bula Billabong is comprised of a once unruly squad of sales and PR people who have embarked on a hectic training schedule to put their newly found muscles where their mouths are to raise money and awareness for Cure Kids Fiji. Director of Business Development and team captain Michael Smith has been asked to put his leadership skills to the test in what could just be his most challenging role to date – Training Director. Joining him for this adventure of a lifetime is Virginia Hamilton - a well known and friendly face to Accor’s Fiji hotels and many associates. Virginia is and always will be a true blue Bula Babe to Accor. PR and Communications comrades, Yvette Peverell and Rebecca Freestun, balance out the team, using their powers of persuasion to not only fundraise, but indeed convince themselves (and their team mates!) that it really is worth the effort to get out of bed that early each day to hit the gym, pool and pavement in order to prepare for the Race to Survive. Michael says the event captured his team’s imagination as an imaginative way to get fit over the winter months in Australia, while providing a chance for all to become more actively involved in developing and supporting a worthwhile Accor sponsorship. “The Bula Billabongs team spirit embodies all the best qualities of Fiji and Australia – good sportsmanship, generosity, looking out for your mates and giving it a fair go,” says Michael. “We’re really looking forward to the entire experience in October. We know it won’t be easy but we also know it will be an adventure we’ll never forget.”
For Rebecca and Virginia who work closely with Fiji in their roles at Accor, the Race to Survive represents a chance for them to contribute something back to the Fiji community that has been so welcoming and generous since they started working and visiting the destination some three years ago. The claim, “If we can survive infamous Ed’s Bar in Nadi with our many Fijian friends and excitable expats, then we figure that we can definitely handle what the race to survive has to throw at us! Our simple game plan - no kava or cocktails till we cross the finish line!” Now that’s commitment to the cause…. Yvette who ventured on her first trip to Fiji last year for a diving holiday says although the team lacks overall experience in endurance events (an understatement perhaps?), that she believes there’s no better place than the Fiji Islands to motivate them to do their best and stay focused. “We’ve heard the horror stories. We know that we’ll be sweating it out on bikes, feet and outrigging canoes through the ocean and mountains. But we also know that we will be privileged to see another side of Fiji and Fijians working on the race and for the charity that we’d never get to witness otherwise. “People may say we’re crazy, but the faces of the kids in hospital who benefit from our endurance and fundraising at the end of the day will absolutely make all it all worthwhile.” DARK HORSES TOO
Two years was not enough for Jeff Hermes, General Manager at The Crossley Hotel Melbourne and Roger Matthewman, Maintenance Manager at Novotel Melbourne on Collins. After participating in 2006, they are back to take part in the 2008 challenge. Joining them are two other staff members from Novotel Melbourne on Collins, Carly Martin, Front Office Shiftleader and Kelly Ford, Human Resource Manager. The girls are pleased to have two experienced members with them, who they will no doubt be turning to for advice, support and encouragement. The team of four is very excited to be taking part in the race, albeit a little nervous about the daunting task ahead. Dark Horses Too are ready and revving to go, motivated by the fact that their efforts will make a difference to the lives of of Fijian children.
TEAM PACIFIC - TEAM MANLY Team Manly is a group of self confessed competition junkies forged from Manly Pacific Sydney (managed by Novotel). The team consists of: Tom ‘The Barbarian’ Schimanski- Concierge Supervisor who is currently being sponsored $1 a day for every cigarette free day until Fiji (and beyond…), Alex ‘The Machine’ Northcott- Assistant Financial Controller is taking the Nicotine route to deal with the stress of training, head strong nothings going to get in his way. Mike ‘The Duck’ Britt- Food & Beverage Manager, the most competitive of the group we shall see if his actions can speak as loud as his words do!. Alison ‘The Rabbit’ Hutchinson- Assistant Restaurant Manager has recently made her way down the coast from Manly to Novotel Brighton Beach, the youngest member of the team (by two weeks!!). The motivation behind team Manly started as pure drive to win mixed with a love of camping in tiny two-man tents whilst being attacked by mosquitoes. However, we also have our own personal goals which we would like to reach and overcome but from what we have heard about previous Fiji cure kids events and what can be achieved as a result of this event we are very proud to know that our efforts will make a big difference to the kids in Fiji. SA YAWA 2
Lead by a fervent and experienced captain, Hugo Johnston, ‘Sa Yawa’ is excited to continue to play their part in Cure Kids Fiji 2008. |
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SHADOW – The thing that goes bump in the night. He is a night manager and is ready to lead this team of gladiators once again. This young gun is a seasoned veteran of the Cure for Kids experience and knows all the survival tips needed to make the most of the adventure. Fiji almost broke this pure athlete a few years ago but now he is back bigger, badder and stronger and wont be held down. On the field and off this is one man that will make an impact. As the sun goes down a shadow only gets bigger.
Our resident powerhouse puts both man and woman to shame when it comes to fitness levels. She runs, rows, cycles and even dabbles in the odd bout of cage fighting. Nothing will keep our Glamazon down. She not all machine tho, she can bat an eyelid or two as a fancy waitress, and back up with the best of them. This flexibility makes her a vital team member, and therefore the newest member of the Gong Gladiators.
SIREN – Once our siren goes off everyone will know about it. This pocket rocket is definitely one to watch out for. Her physical stature may be small but her personality and drive makes up for it. Currently under 24/7 guidance from our veteran Gladiator Mayhem, she is undergoing a strict training regime to make sure she is primed and ready come October. Lets hope the competition is ready and doesn’t set our Siren off.
