Paul Gruber - Team Captain and navigator
Having completed 2 previous XPD events, he's back for more. Recruiting two friends who live several streets away in Warrandyte Vic (Angus and Karina) his training this year has a great bunch of fun and rarely been lonely.
Paul is a former Ironman Triathlete, but has was captivated when watching the extreme nature of the Ecochallenge events. With some rogaining experience he became involved in a few shorter adventure races before sticking his hand up for XPD Whitsundays.
He loves the feeling of standing on top of a mountain that has taken the team all day to get to. And the experience of exploring countryside that few have been able to access.
He enjoys making video's and you'll likely see him on course with GoPro in hand capturing the unfolding adventure.
Mick Kolody
Director of MDK Wealth Management. Mick is an advisor for Madison Group and is the link with the team and PHAROS Financial Group. Mick has competed in three former XPD events (2011 Tasmania, 2010 Cairns and 2008 Whitsundays) and he's like a diesel locomotive that just keeps chugging away day and night.
He got into Adventure racing in 2005 with a few mates on a fitness kick. This lead him to meet more like minded people and help him keep focussed on keeping fit and setting challenging goals.
In 2011 he paddled across Bass Strait with a group of friends on surf skis, a task never previously accomplished.
Mick is constantly reminded by fellow teammates from XPD Tassie about a part of the race where he was just not with it and took off on his bike, riding for a few km without his pack and his helmet on backwards. "Mick....you left your pack" we shouted at him before having to chase him down with his pack.
Karina Vitiritti
Karina can get talked into just about anything as long as you promise she'll have an adventure. Let's do Geoquest - "sure"....XPD, "why not, I'm in!" She doesn't spend many waking hours off the Mountain bike, and when she's off it, she's probably running, or boxing or (more recently) rock climbing. She is a cartographer by trade (so reasonably handy with maps). Karina's background is triathlon, and she's still heavily involved with Nunawading Tri Club and specifically their Tri Kids program. She gets a great kick out of getting kids excited about getting out and doing sport and keeping active.
Usually racing as team "Helmets On" due to some extra km done on foot with cycling protection still secured, we'll be sure to check for extra headwear before heading out on any mamoth treks. Karina is always keen to introduce new people to adventure racing, and has a keen eye for potential gun teammates.
Angus Rodwell
Angus is a builder with an eye for adventure. His studied outdoor education before getting on the tools. He's been riding bikes since before he can remember and is a super competitive bloke. We're still trying to find a tow rope strong enough to attach to his seat post so we can all hang on to his back wheel! Hoping we've got that sorted in time for the race.He's our resident twitter account holder and is a big fan of You-tube to research anything and everything. XPD will be his third adventure race ever... nothing like jumping in the deep end eh?
He has spend a signifcant time doing "high altitude training camps" at Hotham Ski Resort this season. We're hoping that will pay dividends in the Flinders Ranges, though he may not get to have as many caffe latte stops as he does on the slopes!
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