Young contenders including Matty Graham, of Dunedin, and Mike Walker, of Invercargill, will make today's North Face Peak to Peak race one to watch, organisers say.
Race director Geoff Hunt said the high-profile multisport winter event continued to attract elite athletes in the individual sections, as well as an increasing number of teams, particularly from business houses.
But a feature of this year's race was the number of under 23-year-old "young guns" competing.
"Young and promising multisporters are eyeing up the Peak to Peak as another string to their bow," Hunt said.
"It is a great opportunity for them to combine another set of racing skills."
Hunt said seasoned competitors, including Ian Huntsman, Gordon Blythen, Tim Pearson and Leigh Chapman, would provide much the action, while last year's open winning team, Physio Med, was returning with three teams.
The race starts on the Homeward Bound run at The Remarkables with a 2km ski/snowboard to the access road followed by a 17km mountain bike down the road to Lake Wakatipu in Frankton.
A 7km paddle finishes in Queenstown Bay where the changeover is made for a 9km run from Queenstown, through Arthurs Point to the Coronet Alpine Hotel near the Coronet Peak turn-off.
The last stage is a 9km cycle up the Coronet Peak road to the base building and the finish line.
Race categories cater for male, female and veteran individuals.
The teams' section includes female, mixed, business house, school or veteran.
