The emerging professional multisport athlete has only completed one team adventure race - the Southern Lakes Multisport Club's 24-hour race at Cromwell last year - but has raced successfully in a variety of other endurance disciplines for several years.
The invitation to compete in the Baise Outdoor Quest in Nanning was a breakthrough for the 31-year-old baker, who has dreamed of a professional career.
"I think for me it is another step. I just realised yesterday when I went for a cruisy run and bike that this is another dream come true, to do a race that I am going to be paid for and doing what I love to do," Maier said last week.
Maier was invited to join the Chiru Edurance team about a month ago.
She flew to Hong Kong on Saturday to prepare for the three-day, staged race beginning today.
Multisport has taken China by storm and events attract top international teams from around the world.
Top Wanaka multisporter Dougal Allan introduced Maier to Chiru Edurance after its female team member withdrew.
Allan is racing with defending champions Jacky Boisset and Myriam Guillot, of France, in Chiru Edurance 2, with Nelson athlete Trevor Voyce a last-minute replacement for the injured Marcel Hagener, of Ohakune. Another accomplished Wanaka multisporter, Joanna Williams, is also racing in Nanning as a last-minute call-up for the Adidas Terrex team, of Britain.
Maier has not met her team-mates Pierre Arnaud Le Magnan, of France, or Australians Mark Thirlwell and Cosmos Richards and has never raced a three-day event before.
"Jo [Williams] is lucky. She has done the Gold Rush a few times so she knows what it is like racing three days. But I have no idea. I am a bit nervous about it but I am excited, racing in a team, having people to race with and not just on my own," Maier said.
The 220km event includes adventure running, mountainbiking, kayaking, rafting, abseiling, and orienteering.
Maier's previous results include third in 20-30 year age-group at the Hawaii Ironman in 2009, first in the Cromwell 24-hour Adventure Race last year (with Williams, Floorte Draisma and Ailsa Rollinson) and second in the Challenge Wanaka long-distance triathlon in January.
Maier's next competition is the Challenge Cairns long-distance triathlon in June.
