Video: New Zealand adventure racer has big plans for the future

Video: New Zealand adventure racer has big plans for the future

At just 22, Isla Smith has seen the Pyrenees like few others.

The "Raid in France" is one of the world's great adventure races. It was five days of rafting, hiking and a whole lot more.

For the first time, she competed in the non-stop expedition race as part of the world champion "Seagate" team that was captained by New Zealand's best known adventure racer, Nathan Fa'avae.

Smith is a novice in adventure racing terms; many of the world's best are in their 30s and beyond.  

"Going to my first multi-day race I was pretty terrified," she says.

"Knowing what I was going to do - when you achieve it having pushed your limits, there's a huge feeling of success."

Some of the terrain was extremely challenging, and the fact that Seagate won against teams from all over the globe has only whet her appetite.

"I've got some big aspirations for Coast to Coast over the next few years - step up in the Longest Day - and I'd love to go to other world series adventure races and find myself at a world championship sometime."

Right now Smith is training for the Coast to Coast in February after finishing second in the two-day women's race this year

This year has seen her charter new territory, and that's exactly what adventure racing is all about.

Newshub.