Whakatāne’s Sam Clark has joined a world-class team for next week’s Godzone adventure race in Marlborough.

Alongside Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, and Simone Maier, Clark was called up for the New Zealand Godzone team after member Stuart Lynch suffered an injury while kiteboarding.

“Sophie called me last week with the invite, so I have been scrambling to pack and prepare,” said Clark.

Clark is fresh off the Tibet/Xizang Challenge, a four-day race that finished at Everest Base Camp.

“The event in Tibet was absolutely mind-blowing. I feel very privileged to have visited the roof of the world, and it was breathtaking in every sense of the word,” he said.

Clark is more than happy to tackle the 12th chapter of the prestigious expedition race, having last competed in 2013. He’s quick to acknowledge that he is joining a team of world-class athletes.

Forne and Hart are legends of the event, with Forne claiming 10 Godzone championship titles and Hart, seven. Maier is a five-time Coast to Coast world champion and a member of the 2019 Godzone winning team. Hart, who grew up in Ōhope, is regarded as the world’s top female adventure racer.

“I have raced alongside Simone before, but not Sophie or Chris. A critical element of Godzone is navigation, and Chris has a reputation as the best in the world; he’s next level.

“You have to have faith you’re going in the right direction, and there is nothing worse than having to backtrack in the middle of the night,” Clark said.

Balancing training with events and full-time work can be a challenge, and Clark admits it sometimes tests his boss’ patience.

“I have no more annual leave left, but Godzone is an event that’s etched in my mind, so it’s worth an earbashing from the boss to have the opportunity to compete,” he said.

With no outside assistance allowed – and no GPS, just a compass and a map – the team will navigate a gruelling 615-kilometre course, which won’t be revealed until tomorrow.