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Fri 5th February
7pm on Newstalk ZB
Lancaster Bomber Pilot
Tony Iveson

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Guest List
 

This Weeks Guest, Friday 5th February, Squadron Leader Tony Iveson

7pm to 8pm, Newstalk ZB 

RAF Bomber Pilot Tony Iveson
Squadron Leader Tony Iveson joined 616 Squadron at Keley on 2 September 1940 flying Spitfires. In May 1942 and his second operational tour was with Bomber Command. He joined 617 Squadron (the Dam Busters) in 1944. Tony is Chairman of the Bomber Command Association. Brian Milton worked with Tony to write the compelling book 'Lancaster'. A journalist and broadcaster, Brian is also an aero enthusiast and flyer, having flown a microlight aircraft around the world in 1998, recording his adventures in the book Global Flyer. 

For more on Tony Iveson and in particular the mission to sink the Tirpitz, click here

 

 

 


This Weeks Guest, Friday 15th January, Sir Steve Redgrave

7pm to 8pm, Newstalk ZB 

A lot of water has passed under the bridge for Steve since winning his fifth gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Despite the earlier famous request to "shoot me if you see me in a boat again" in Atlanta, Sydney marked the end of a long and extrordinary career in competitive sport that resulted in Steve winning an unprecedented five Gold Medals in consecutive Olympic games.

Gold for the Coxed Fours in Los Angeles in 1984, followed by Gold with his previous partner Andy Holmes in the Coxless Pairs at Seoul in 1988, Gold with partner Matthew Pinsent for the Coxless Pairs at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and of course, the famous win in the Coxless Fours at the Sydney Olympics.

World Champion
In addition to his Olympic successes and following four unbeaten seasons from 1993 to 1996, Steve won his ninth World Championship Gold in August 1999 in St Catherines, Canada. His previous World Championship Golds were in 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998.

Key achievements
He has also won many other honours in the sport over the past eleven years, including the Henley Royal Regatta Diamond Sculls several times and the Silver Goblets a record seven times. In 1986 Steve became a Triple Commonwealth Gold Medallist at Edinburgh, winning the Single Scull, Coxless Pairs, and Coxed Four. His other sporting interests include golf and winter sports, and during the 1989/90 season, he was a member of the British Bobsleigh Team.

Together with partner Matthew Pinsent, Steve was the holder of the World Record in Coxless Pairs set in Lucerne in 1994 until 2002 and still retains the Olympic Record, set in Atlanta in 1996. Steve and Matt enjoyed an exclusive sponsorship deal with Lombard, which allowed them to devote all their time to training for international regattas and to winning more honours for Great Britain.

Already established as the world's most outstanding rower of all time after his Atlanta victory, Steve announced in 1997 that he had decided to carry on competing through to the Millennium Games in Sydney in the hope of winning a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal - a feat which has confirmed him as one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history.

The Knighthood
Steve was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List in 1987 and the CBE in the New Year's Honours List of 1997 and following his success in Sydney was awarded a Knighthood in the 2001 New Years Honours List. The University of Durham also awarded him an Honorary Degree in December 1996.

For more on Sir Steve Redgrave, click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


POSTPONED UNTIL 2010 - Watch this space for details - See note below for new guest Ken Bradshaw

7pm to 8pm, Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport

UMBERTO PELIZZARI was born on 28th August 1965 in Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese. He is 1.89 metres tall and weighs 84 kg, and his lung capacity is 7.9 litres. By the age of 5 he can already swim perfectly and by the age of 17 he already had 11 seasons of swimming behind him at a professional level.

In 1984 he begins to dedicate himself to apnoea. He reaches his first world record in 1988 when, with 5'33", he establishes the record in apnoea without moving.

Having become a member of the NO LIMITS SECTOR Team, on 19th May 1990 - in the public pool of Busto Arsizio - he breaks the world record of apnoea without moving, beating the previous record of 5'50" established by the French Philippe Goasse with 6'03".

On 12th July 1990 he takes a degree in Information Science at the University of Milan. In the meantime he has started training, with the goal of breaking the world record on the Isle of Elba. On 10th November, the same year, at Porto Azzurro, Umberto amazes everybody by reaching a new world record of immersion in apnoea in constant weight reaching a depth of 65 metres, though he has just started to participate in this difficult discipline. He beat by 3 metres the record established by Pipin Ferreras only two months before. In Hawaii, on 9th July 1991, he reclaims the world record in apnoea without moving with 7'02"88, smashing the old record of 6'40" held by the French Michael Bader.

In this discipline, his best performance is now 8minutes. In 1995, during a medical test held by Prof. Piergiorgio Data, at the University of Underwater Medicine in Chieti, after 8minutes breathing pure oxygen, Umberto Pelizzari holds his breath for 19'56''. But let's return to deep freediving: in September 1991 on the Isle of Elba he conquers all the records of immersion in apnoea. The 3rd October sees him descend in constant weight to a depth of 67 metres improving by 2 metres his previous record. On 22nd October Umberto reaches a world record of immersion in apnoea in variable weight reaching -95 metres, improving the record established by Pipin in September 1990 in Milazzo, by 3 metres.

For more on Umberto Pelizzari, click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This Weeks Guest, Friday 18th December, Ken Bradshaw

7pm to 8pm, Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport

"On January 28, 1998, Ken rode the biggest wave ever ridden in history, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii at an outer reef known as Outside Log Cabins. This wave was considered to be in excess of 85 feet. That same day he also rode another 20 waves between 40 and 65 feet to make this the largest day ever ridden. Ken's dream has always been the same, to be one of the best big wave riders, and possibly the best big wave surfer in the history of the world. It looks like his dream may have come true."

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Ken started surfing at the age of 13 on Surfside Beach, Texas in 1965. After many youthful experiences in and out of school, Ken had to choose between academics, school sports or surfing. To his parents disapproval surfing won Ken's heart. For the next year, Ken threw himself into surfing 100%. Searching for better waves, he moved to California in 1969 and finished high school in Encinitas. By 1972 he was ready to master the big waves of Hawaii and decided to move to Sunset Beach. His first clothing sponsor was Sundek from 1979 to 1986. Then Quiksilver sponsored Ken from 1986-1992.   For more on Ken Bradshaw, click here

 

 

 

 


This Weeks Guest, Friday 11th December, Mark Marks

7pm to 8pm, Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport (subject to live coverage of the cricket ending on time).

Mark Marks - Shark Biologist and Researcher
A native Californian, Marks is best known for his pioneering studies of the behavior and social dynamics of great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. Marks literally swims with the sharks outside the confines of a cage to get a unique perspective on the little-known world of white shark behavior and feeding ecology. For more than 20 years, his research on elasmobranch fish (sharks, skates and rays), including dozens of shark species, has taken him to numerous countries and remote locations off four continents. For more information and a Q&A with Mark Marks on Sharks, click here   
 

 

 


This Weeks Guest, Friday 4th December, Phillipe Petit

7pm to 8pm, Newstalk ZB only this week (live coverage of the Phoenix on Radio Sport).

High Wire Artist Extraordinaire Phillipe Petit (born August 13, 1949) is a French high wire artist who gained fame for his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers (WTC) in New York City on August 7, 1974. For his feat (that he referred to as "le coup"), he used a 450-pound (200 kg) cable and a custom-made 26-foot (7.9 m) long, 55-pound (25 kg) balancing pole.

Early career
Petit was born in Nemours, France in 1949; his father, Edmond Petit, was an author and a former Army pilot. Philippe became interested in magic at a very early age. A strong rebellious streak got him expelled from five different schools, and by the age of 15 he had run away from home. By the late 1960s, he had trained himself as a wire-walker. "Within one year," he told a reporter, "I taught myself to do all the things you could do on a wire. I learned the backward somersault, the front somersault, the unicycle, the bicycle, the chair on the wire, jumping through hoops. But I thought, 'What is the big deal here? It looks almost ugly.' So I started to discard those tricks and to reinvent my art."[3] Spurning circuses and their formulaic performances, he began performing as a street busker in Paris. In the early 1970s, he frequently juggled and worked on a slack rope in New York City's Washington Square Park.

Beginning in the 1970s, Petit began eyeing world-famous structures as stages for high-wire walks, which he executed as a combination of circus act and public performance. He performed his first such walk between the towers of the Notre Dame de Paris. In 1973, he walked a wire rigged between the two north pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Sydney, Australia.

World Trade Center walk
Petit's most famous work was his performance which he executed at the World Trade Center in Manhattan. It was dubbed the "Artistic Crime of the Century," by Time Magazine.

Planning
Petit was first inspired to attempt what he called his "coup" on the Twin Towers while he sat in his dentist's office in Paris in 1968. In a magazine, he came upon an article about the as-yet-unconstructed buildings, along with an illustration of the model. He became obsessed with the towers, collecting articles on them whenever possible.

The 'artistic crime of the century' took six years of planning, during which Petit learned everything he could about the buildings, taking into account such problems as the swaying of the towers because of wind, and how to rig the steel cable across the 140-foot (43 m) gap between the towers (at a height of 1,368 ft (417.0 m)). He traveled to New York on several occasions to make first-hand observations. Since the towers were still under construction, Philippe and NY-based photographer Jim Moore went up in a helicopter to make aerial photographs of the WTC.

Petit snuck into the towers several times, hiding on the roof and other areas in the unfinished towers, in order to get a sense of what type of security measures were in place. Using his own observations and Moore's photographs, Petit was able to make a scale model of the towers to help him design the rigging he needed to prepare for the wirewalk. He made fake identification cards for himself and his collaborators (claiming that they were contractors who were installing an electrified fence on the roof) to gain access to the towers. Prior to this, to make it easier to get into the buildings, Petit carefully observed the clothes worn by construction workers and the kinds of tools they carried. He also took note of the clothing of businessmen so that he could blend in with them when he tried to enter the buildings. He observed what time the workers arrived and left, so he could determine when he would have roof access. As the target date of his "coup" approached, he claimed to be a journalist with a French architecture magazine so that he could gain permission to interview the workers on the roof. The Port Authority allowed Petit to conduct the interviews, which he used as a pretext to make more observations. He was once caught by a police officer on the roof, and his hopes to do the high wire walk were dampened, but he eventually regained the confidence to proceed.

On the night of August 6, 1974, Petit and his crew were able to ride in a freight elevator to the 104th floor with their equipment, and to store this equipment just nineteen steps from the roof. In order to pass the cable across the void, Petit and his crew had settled on using a bow and arrow. They first shot across a fishing line, and then passed larger and larger ropes across the space between the towers until they were able to pass the 450-pound steel cable across. Two cavalettis (guy lines) anchored to other points on the roof were used to stabilize the cable and keep the swaying of the wire to a minimum.[2] For the first time in the history of the Twin Towers, they were joined.

Walking
On August 7, 1974, shortly after 7:15 a.m., Petit stepped off the South Tower and onto his 3/4" 6×19 IWRC (independent wire rope core) steel cable. He walked the wire for 45 minutes, making eight crossings between the towers, a quarter mile above the sidewalks of Manhattan. In addition to walking, he sat on the wire, gave knee salutes and, while lying on the wire, spoke with a gull circling above his head.

As soon as Petit was observed by witnesses on the ground, the Port Authority Police Department dispatched officers to the roof to take him into custody. One of the officers, Sgt. Charles Daniels, later reported his experience:

I observed the tightrope 'dancer'—because you couldn't call him a 'walker'—approximately halfway between the two towers. And upon seeing us he started to smile and laugh and he started going into a dancing routine on the high wire....And when he got to the building we asked him to get off the high wire but instead he turned around and ran back out into the middle....He was bouncing up and down. His feet were actually leaving the wire and then he would resettle back on the wire again....Unbelievable really....[E]verybody was spellbound in the watching of it.

Petit was warned by his friend on the South Tower that a police helicopter would come to pick him off the wire unless he got off. Rain had begun to fall, and Petit decided he had taken enough risks, so he decided to give himself up to the police waiting for him on the South Tower. He was arrested once he stepped off the wire. Provoked by his taunting behaviour while on the wire, police handcuffed him behind his back and roughly pushed him down a flight of stairs. This he later described as the most dangerous part of the stunt.

His audacious high wire performance made headlines around the world. When asked why he did the stunt, Petit would say "When I see three oranges, I juggle; when I see two towers, I walk."

Consequences
The immense news coverage and public appreciation of Petit's high wire walk resulted in all formal charges relating to his walk being dropped. The court did however "sentence" Petit to perform a show for the children of New York City, which he transformed into another high-wire walk, in Central Park above Belvedere Lake (which has now become Turtle Pond.) Petit was also presented with a lifetime pass to the Twin Towers' Observation Deck by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He signed a steel beam close to the point where he began his walk.

Petit's high-wire walk is credited with bringing the then rather unpopular Twin Towers much needed attention and even affection. Up to that point, critics such as technology historian Lewis Mumford had regarded them as ugly and utilitarian. The landlords were having trouble renting out all of their office space.

The documentary film Man on Wire by UK director James Marsh, about Petit's 1974 WTC performance, won both the World Cinema Jury and Audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival 2008. The film also won awards at the 2008 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, N.C. and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

Petit has made dozens of public high-wire performances in his career; in 1986 he re-enacted the crossing of the Niagara River by Blondin for an Imax film. In 1989, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, mayor Jacques Chirac permitted him to walk a wire strung from the ground, at the Place du Trocadero, to the second stage of the Eiffel Tower.

He is one of the Artists-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He currently lives in Woodstock, New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This Weeks Guest, Friday 27th November

7pm to 8pm, Radio Sport and Newstalk ZB

Sports Administration - building a great club and a great team, Ian Robson, talking about the great 'Hawthorn revival'.

Ian Robson is a name familiar to many in New Zealand. The colourful and outgoing sports administrator was in charge of the Warriors when they first entered the NRL. Of late though he has returned to the AFL and in an incredible five years at Hawthorn turned the clubs fortunes around from no hopers to champions, on and off the field. Now at Essendon, Hawthorn joins HPH to talk about his administrative philosophies - what makes a great club and a great team? 

This from Essendon when they signed Robson as their new CEO earlier this year:

"He has held senior management positions in Australia and overseas, including Auckland and Scotland, culminating in his employment at Hawthorn for the past five years – he has a wealth of corporate and football knowledge and we are confident we have secured the best person for the job.

“Significantly, during his time at the Hawks the club had grown considerably - including attracting over 50,000 members this year for the first time - and I believe he will help Essendon build towards further on and off-field success

 

 

 

 

 


This Weeks Guests, Friday 20th November

7pm to 8pm, Radio Sport and Newstalk ZB

'Fly me to the Moon' - a look back at the Apollo 11 mission from 1969.

Jon and Andrew took listeners back to the year 1969 when man first walked on the moon. The show included some amazing statistics and figures from the mission - did you know the computer running the mission had the same power as a calculator you can know buy at the $2 Shop!!

If you don't know much about the mission, what was involved, the people involved and the drama along the way, do some research, it is truly an amazing story of high performance.

For more information click here

 


This Weeks Guests, Friday 13th November

7pm to 8pm, Radio Sport and Newstalk ZB

Live from the Hyundai showroom on Tory Street in Wellington, the High Performance Hour previews the All Whites World Cup qualifier with Bahrain, a game that is most certainly winner takes all. With the tie evenly poised from the away leg (0-0), a win for NZ will see them qualify for the World Cup in South Africa next year, gain an estimated $8million USD in prize money and turn a nation on to the round ball game.

To discuss this we talk with NZF Chairman Frank van Hattum, a member of the 1982 side in Spain, and we bring you an interview with Ricki Herbert from the team camp that day. Plus we anaylyse the pressure this team will be under in front of a record 35,000 crowd for a football match and with so much on the line against the higher ranked Bahrain side.

 

 

 

 


6th November, 3pm to 4pm Radio Sport   Sam Harvey

Harvey sped to victory in the prestigious Quakysense International Jetsport Boating Association (IJSBA) 2009 world finals at Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Harvey, general manager at Woodbine Marine in East Tamaki, collected his first world crown after venturing to Lake Havasu each year for the past eight.
He had a remarkable second placing in the first year he competed at the event in 2001 and has also had a third a couple of years ago.
Harvey raced this year in the top and fastest class, the Pro Open Super Stock, on a 1500cc Sea-doo GTI 400-horsepower turbocharged jet-ski, which he can propel to a speed of 85mph.


Click Here for more
 

 

6th November, 7pm to 8pm Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport - Russell Coutts

Russell Coutts has won the America's Cup as a skipper three times. His sailing record includes winning the ISAF World Youth championships, a Gold Medal in the 1984 Olympics, three World Match Racing Championships, numerous international match race wins and IOR, IMS and One Design World Championship victories. In New Zealand he has been honoured with a Commander of the British Empire and the Distinguished Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit and has twice been the International Yacht Racing Union’s World Sailor of the Year.

Click Here for more
 

 


30th October, Terenzo Bozzone

Terenzo Bozzone (born 1 March 1985) is a professional triathlete from New Zealand.

Terenzo Bozzone was born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand with his family as a young boy. He was a talented athlete at school winning many national titles in a variety of disciplines including cross country running, cycling, swimming and multisport. After finishing school he focused on multisport and won the 2001 & 2002 Junior Men's Elite Duathlon World Championship and the 2002 & 2003 Junior Men's Elite Triathlon World Championship.

In 2008 Bozzone won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida setting a new course record of 3:40:10. He had a stellar year taking five wins, two second places and two course records.

In 2009 he pushed Cameron Brown to a new race record when debuting at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo and finished 11th on debut at Kona, the World Ironman Championship.

Bozzone is coached by New Zealander Jon Ackland and managed by Murphy Reinschreiber. He has numerous personal sponsorships including Specialized bikes, Oakley sunglasses and K-Swiss.

Click Here for more
 

 

 

 

 


23rd October: Rugby League Coach Brian McLennan

Brian McClennan is currently head coach of the Leeds Rhinos and former coach of the New Zealand rugby league team.

The son of former St Helens coach Mike McClennan, born in Auckland McClennan played stand-off before becoming a coach. McClennan often goes by the nickname "Bluey".

He coached the Hibiscus Coast Raiders and Mt Albert Lions to championships in the Bartercard Cup, and was then assistant coach for the Kiwis under Daniel Anderson.

Despite this, his appointment in June 2005 as national coach of New Zealand was controversial, mainly because he had no top-level experience in Australia or Great Britain. However, he led New Zealand to an upset triumph in the 2005 Gillette Rugby League Tri-Nations series. New Zealand won the series final against Australia 24-0 at Elland Road, England. It was Australia's first defeat in a series or tournament since 1978.

In 2006 he coached the Auckland Lions to the minor premiership in the Bartercard Cup. However the Kiwis lost both mid-season tests to the Kangaroos and Lions. In 2007 he served as Director of Football to help the Auckland Lions prepare for their entrance into the NSWRL Premier League before leaving to concentrate on the Kiwis for the rest of the season. In mid 2007 reports emerged that he was looking for a job in the National Rugby League.

In July 2007 Leeds Rhinos announced that New Zealand national coach Brian McClennan would be joining the club as Head Coach on a two year contract from 1 December 2007. McClennan subsequently resigned as national coach, his position taken up by Gary Kemble in August 2007. In his first season as coach, the Rhino's won the 2008 World Club Challenge, beating Melbourne Storm 11-4 at Elland Road.

He coached Leeds to the 2008 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens and this year he achieved the same feat beating St.Helens 18-10 in the 2009 Super League Grand Final.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


16th October: HPH Classic Archive Submarine Engineer Billy McNally

The 571 Nautilus was one famous submarine. The world's first nuclear propelled submarine was also the fastest, setting world records for speed, depth and time under water. The Nautilus also undertook a top secret mission in the 1950's during the height of the cold war. That mission was to travel under the ice cap and across the North Pole, something they successfully achieved. Bill McNally was aboard the Nautilus as an Engineer and tells his story to the HPH.

For more information, visit Billy's own website here.

 

 

 

 


Friday 9th October, Blind athlete, record breaker, triathlete, author Rob Matthews MBE
Our guest this week is a Paralympic legend in Rob Matthews MBE. UK born Rob has won a multitude of Paralympic medals and set numerous world records on the track. He has taken on more challenges than the vast majority of us with full eyesight, and Rob has been blind since the age of 20. His story is an amazing one and his book Running Blind is out now in all good book stores.

Rob has won 29 Paralympic medals on the track and has set 22 world records representing Great Britain. He has since moved to NZ, married a Kiwi girl and has a son Thomas - oh, and in his spare time he found the energy to train for his first triathlon, representing NZ at the 2009 World Champs on the Gold Coast.

 For more on Rob Matthews, click here

 

 

 


Rob's book Running Blind, a truly inspirational read.

Friday 2nd October, Ironman athlete Cameron Brown

New Zealand has a proud history in the sport of Triathlon and Ironman, Cameron Brown is second to none in the sport with an amazing record of consistency in one of sports toughest challenges, the Ironman. An 8 time Ironman NZ winner (in record time in 2009) Cameron has also been one of the most consistent athletes at Kona, the World Championship of Ironman. Cameron joins host Mark Watson and takes listeners around the Kona course, from the 3.8km swim to the 180km bike and finishing with the Marathon on the lava fields of Kona.

For more on Cameron Brown, click here


Cameron Brown winning his 7th of 8 Ironman NZ titles in 2008


Friday 25th September, 1982 All Whites Captain Steve Sumner

The 1982 All Whites famously qualified for the World Cup finals in Spain, led by captain Steve Sumner. This team was something special though, the chemistry and mix was perfect from the coaching staff to the players to the support team, it all clicked. So why and how did this team get the 'team culture' so right? Was it by accident, was there a formula and are there lessons that can still be learned for our current teams, from grass roots to international? Join us as we talk with Steve live at The Taproom in Christchurch about what made the 82 side so special.  


Steve Sumner in action in 1982


Friday 18th September, Speedway driver Michael Pickens and Engineer Simon Longdill

Beginning his motor sport career at the age of 10 in the kart ranks, Michael won a number of events before switching to the Speedway Quarter Midgets at age 11 where he again found success, winning various events including an Auckland Championship and the ‘King Of The Springs’ Quarter Midget title. At the age of 15, Michael was given a dispensation to compete in the full sized Midget ranks, where he won both races of his debut night from the rear of the field.

At the age of 17, Michael began driving for Brett Morris of Seamount Enterprises, and they achieved one of the team’s major goals; winning a Midget feature event at Western Springs Speedway, the youngest driver ever to do so. Likewise, gaining a drive with the newly formed Seamount Racing Team was the turning point in his career, as Michael now had the backing needed to pursue his Speedway career on a more serious level. Michael finished the 2001 – 2002 New Zealand season on a high, winning the Heritage Shield on the final night of the season at Western Springs, finishing 2nd to new team mate Bryce Townsend in the Waikato Championship and then became the youngest driver ever to win the New Zealand Midget Grand Prix, in Stratford. Michael Pickens had well and truly arrived.

Michael is currently New Zealand's leading open wheel driver with feature wins in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
For more on Michael Pickens click here



Speedway driver Michael Pickens

 

Friday 18th September, Speedway driver Michael Pickens and Engineer Simon Longdill

Beginning his motor sport career at the age of 10 in the kart ranks, Michael won a number of events before switching to the Speedway Quarter Midgets at age 11 where he again found success, winning various events including an Auckland Championship and the ‘King Of The Springs’ Quarter Midget title. At the age of 15, Michael was given a dispensation to compete in the full sized Midget ranks, where he won both races of his debut night from the rear of the field.

At the age of 17, Michael began driving for Brett Morris of Seamount Enterprises, and they achieved one of the team’s major goals; winning a Midget feature event at Western Springs Speedway, the youngest driver ever to do so. Likewise, gaining a drive with the newly formed Seamount Racing Team was the turning point in his career, as Michael now had the backing needed to pursue his Speedway career on a more serious level. Michael finished the 2001 – 2002 New Zealand season on a high, winning the Heritage Shield on the final night of the season at Western Springs, finishing 2nd to new team mate Bryce Townsend in the Waikato Championship and then became the youngest driver ever to win the New Zealand Midget Grand Prix, in Stratford. Michael Pickens had well and truly arrived.


Michael is currently New Zealand's leading open wheel driver with feature wins in the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
For more on Michael Pickens click here

 


Speedway driver Michael Pickens

 

 

Friday 11th September, Dr Mark Orams

Dr. Mark Orams has just published "Blake: Leader. Leadership lessons from a great New Zealander", a celebration and reflection on the life and legacy of one of New Zealand's great leaders, Sir Peter Blake. Blake's style of leadership has been compared to Sir Edmund Hillary's; both were intensely focused on the task at hand and each had the necessary skills to pull together resources - people, planning, and fundraising - with enormous success and international recognition.

Mark Orams was a member of Sir Peter Blake's winning crew onboard Steinlager 2 during the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. He also assisted Sir Peter as a member of Team New Zealand for the successful defence of the America's Cup in Auckland and was onboard scientist for a portion of Blakexpeditions' Amazon voyage.

Chapters include building a great team, being a great leader, encouraging a great work ethic and having a winning attitude. It also examines the unique New Zealand style of leadership demonstrated by other great Kiwi leaders and how Blake's legacy can be taken into the future.

Mark Orams is a successful yachtsman, scientist, environmentalist and adventurer. He was the inaugural executive director of the Sir Peter Blake Trust from 2004 to 2007 and has spoken widely on Blake's leadership style. 

For more on BLAKE: LEADER click here


Mark Orams BLAKE: LEADER is available through Random House Publisher and at all good book stores

Friday 4th September, French Spiderman, Alain Robert in an HPH Classic Archive

When he was a child, his heroes were Bonatti, Rébuffat, Desmaison, some of the most famous rock-climbers of all time. Alain Robert was brought up with their lyric, epic adventures. He decided to become a top climber, but his parents did not much appreciate such a desire. He did not want them to find out that he started to learn the rudiments of climbing as a boy scout. He learnt how to move, how to handle the ropes (so as to become a climber like his heroes). When he was 12, he climbed eight floors, got home by the window as he had forgotten his keys…

For more on Alain Robert  More...

 

 

 

 


Alain Robert at work with thousands watching below

Friday 28th August, Adventure racer Wayne Oxenham

"I'm the old man of the team, bringing plenty of worldly experience to our racing. At least that's what I tell my teammates. I played volleyball and soccer at school, and entered running races on the track, road and cross country. In 2003 I did my first adventure race on a whim and have gotten in over my head ever since. I've been working for Orion Health since 2003 in various roles, and am currently the Sales Director for New Zealand, which keeps me very busy."
 

For more on Wayne and the Team Orion Health adventure racers, click here  More...

 


Team Orion Health captain
Wayne Oxenham

Friday 21st August, NZ cricket great Sir Richard Hadlee

As described by the world's greatest batsman, Sir Donald Bradman said:
"Richard Hadlee was a left handed batsman who liked to hit the ball very hard. He was an accurate right arm swing and seam bowler with a good technique and fluent action, with an economic approach to the crease. He was the master of rhythm and swing."

For more on Sir Richard Hadlee, visit his official website by clicking here  More...

 

 

 

 


Sir Richard Hadlee in familiar pose

Friday 14th August, British Mountaineer Stephen Venables

Stephen Venables, mountaineer, writer, broadcaster and public speaker, was the first Briton to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen. He reached the summit alone, after climbing with a small American-Canadian team, by a new route up the gigantic Kangshung Face.

Everest was a thrilling highlight in a career which has taken Stephen right through the Himalaya, from Afghanistan to Tibet, making first ascents of many previously unknown mountains. His adventures have also taken him to the Rockies, the Andes, the Antarctic island South Georgia, East Africa, South Africa and of course the European Alps, where he has climbed and skied for over forty years.

The stories of these travels have enthralled Stephen’s lecture audiences in theatres, schools and university clubs and at corporate conferences all over the world. He has also appeared in television documentaries for BBC, ITV and National Geographic, presented for Radio 4 and appeared in the IMAX movie Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure.

He has written for all the London broadsheet newspapers, covering exploration and adventure, as well as more diverse subjects such as transport, gardening, music and sculpture.

Painted Mountains, Stephen’s first book, won the 1986 Boardman Tasker Prize for mountain literature. Subsequent books have won the Grand Prize at the Banff International Mountain Festival and the King Albert Award. His ninth book, published in 2006, is the Sunday Times bestseller Ollie – the touching story of his elder son who had autism and who died from a brain tumour.

Two further books were published in 2007, which also saw the release of the IMAX movie The Alps, for which Stephen wrote the screenplay. He was also busy that year as President of the Alpine Club, celebrating its 150th anniversary. In 2008 he returned again to South Georgia, guiding a party on the Shackleton Traverse and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University. Plans for 2009 include lecture tours to Hong Kong and the western United States.

More...


Stephen Venables at work in the mountains

 

 

Friday 7th August, Ken Cools and Sarah Walker

BMX riding is a new age sport, one that was introduced to the Olympic Games in Beijing with great success. And New Zealand is amongst the leaders in the sport with Sarah Walker winning two world titles at the recent World Championships and others like Marc Willers also performing at the very top level.

Ken Cools is a Canadian who has been brought to NZ to develop a high performance plan for the sport and is responsible for the careers of Sarah, Marc and others in the high performance BMX programme.

Join us as we talk to both about recent success and the future in this exciting and fast paced new sport.

More...

 

 

 

 

 


Sarah Walker in action. Pic credit: Hannah Johnston

Friday 31st July, HPH talks with British adventurer and author Tom Avery about his latest adventure 'TO THE END OF THE EARTH'

Adventure has been in Tom's blood all his life. A pioneering climber, ski mountaineer and one of only 41 people in history to have reached both the North and South Poles on foot, Tom is one of the UK's foremost explorers.

Tom has organised and led over a dozen expeditions across the globe and is the youngest Briton to have been to both Poles.

Tom is best known for leading the expedition described by the Guinness Book of Records as "the fastest surface journey to the North Pole", which retraced Robert Peary and Matthew Henson's footsteps to the Top of the World.


“Avery is shaping up to join the ranks of such British immortals as Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dame Ellen MacArthur” - The Sunday Times

More...

 

 

 

 

 


Tom Avery has chronicled his latest adventure in print, get your copy today or tune in to the show to win TO THE END OF THE EARTH

Friday 24th July, HPH celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

This week HPH celebrates the 40th Anniversary of one of the greatest achievements of man, the successful first ever Moon Landing back in 1969. HPH is proud to have interviewed Buzz Aldrin previously on the show, this week we explore the landing in detail, including actual audio from the Apollo 11 mission that kept a watching world on the edge of its seat.

Mike Dinn joined us to talk about the actual transmission of the images and audio around the world via Honeysuckle Creek Transmission Station in Australia, it is a fascinating story of high performance in its own right

More...

 

 


 


John Saxon and Mike Dinn (right) in action at the ops console of Honeysuckle Creek. Pic from www.honeysucklecreek.net

Friday 17th July, NZ Adventurer Steve Gurney

Mad Way South is a trans-Tasman challenge like no other - man and machine pitted against the harshest environment in the world at the end of the Saharan Summer - Two Aussies and Two Kiwi's racing in Kite Buggies across 2,500 km of the worlds toughest terrain to claim the rights to be the first to have ever crossed this desert by wind power alone.

The brain child of adventurer Geoff Wilson - this wind powered odyssey began as a challenge and evolved into a race with the inclusion of the Kiwi team - Steve Gurney and Craig Hansen. Garth Freeman completes the foursome of mad wind driven men set to start racing from Northern Morocco on August 3rd 2009. Mad Way South will also be a forum for road testing and demonstrating the effectiveness of survival and outdoor equipment. We will also focus on promoting eco-friendly, carbon neutral travel. The entire adventure will be filmed and an adventure series made by Jason Markland Productions in association with Lincoln Williams of Fotomedia.

For more click here
 


 

Steve Gurney is about to go Kite Buggying

Friday 10th July, NZ businessman and author of 'Toughen Up', Michael Hill

Michael Hill has had just about every possible experience in business. From lie-awake-at-night nerves to the joy of unexpected success. He’s reshaped the landscape under his feet and he has ventured into new territory. Once, he was an outsider in his industry; the cheeky start-up who nobody expected to succeed. The established players had no reason to view him as a threat.

Now, his business continues to innovate and pioneer new markets. Michael Hill Jewellery has more than 250 outlets across New Zealand, Australian, Canada and the United States of America, and the company is renowned as a world leader in efficient and innovative business.

Toughen Up: what I’ve learned about surviving tough times encapsulates the ingredients of Michael’s philosophy. He’s watched tycoons rise and fall, competitors enter and leave the market, staff grow and develop. He has made big mistakes, been ripped off, misjudged situations – and he has learned from it all. All of those lessons have distilled into a strong philosophy of business and life.

It has worked for Michael. He believes it can work for you.....

Kindly copied from the back cover of Michael Hill's book 'Toughen Up' published by Random House. All proceeds from the sale of Toughen Up are donated to Cure Kids, get your copy today.

 

 

 


 

Michael Hill's book, Toughen Up
Available now in book stores, published by Random House NZ

 

Friday 3rd July, Tour de France cyclist, Julian Dean

NAME Julian Dean
DATE OF BIRTH 28 January 1975
NATIONALITY New Zealander
RESIDENCE Rotorua
HEIGHT 5'8"/178 cm
WEIGHT 158 lbs./72 kg
PRO SINCE 1996

I was born and bred in Waihi, a small community on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Although this is known for its mining industry, I grew up on a family dairy farm where helping out on the farm was a part of daily life. It was a very humble beginning where my parents instilled in me strong work ethics, respect and morals.

My first introduction to cycling was when, as a child, along with my two brothers and father, we joined the local Waihi BMX club and began competing nationally. This spanned over five years and lead to two third place NZ rankings and an early introduction to the sport of bike racing.

During my teens, I tried my hand at many other sports, including the customary attempt at rugby, as well as basketball and volleyball. What really caught my attention though, was the relatively new sport of triathlon. I enjoyed the discipline that it required and the success that I achieved from it.

It was from triathlon that I was drawn to the sport of cycling. I had enjoyed watching the Tour de France on TV many times and now I had the opportunity to try road racing via some of the local veteran riders in my home town.

I quickly developed a passion for road racing and it soon became more than a way to improve my cycling in triathlons. I enjoyed the tradition, history and international profile it had. It was not long before I gave triathlon away in the pursuit of cycling.

(abridged)......

Julian Dean

For more on Julian Dean, visit his website by clicking here
 


 

Julian Dean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 26th June - Mike Stanley, Olympic Rower and NZOC President

Mike was appointed to the Board at the General Assembly on May 15, 2003. Mike has had a long association with the Olympic Movement in New Zealand as first a competitor in rowing and latterly as the Chief Executive of Rowing New Zealand.

Mike was a member of the eight that finished 4th at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He is also the proud winner of two world championship gold medals in 1982 and 1983. Mike was one of many great rowers to come out of the North Shore Rowing club at this time.

He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

Mike was recently appointed Chief Executive of the Millennium Institute in Auckland.


 



Mike Stanley

 

Friday 19th June - Tony Heenan, F1 Aerodynamicist

Tony Heenand works behind the scenes in the fascinating and high pressure world of Formula One motor racing. Heenan is an Aerodynamicist and has worked for Ferrari and latterly for Williams.

We hear so much from the drivers, about the drivers and sometimes about the team bosses. But what of those who work so hard, so diligently and so cleverly behind the scenes to create a fast race car? What makes an F1 car so fast and able to push the boundaries of speed while still remaining inside the parameters of accepted safety?

Join us this Friday as we give you a rare and interesting look at what goes on behind the scenes in Formula One from one of the best in the business.
 



Tony Heenan (furthest left)

 

Friday 12th June - Andrew Murdoch

Andrew Murdoch is one of New Zealand's rising sports stars. Murdoch is in his mid twenties but already has a great deal of experience behind him, including just missing a medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Murdoch has been involved with the Hyundai backed Pinnacle programme for some time, a programme that has helped him succeed on and off the water.

Murdoch was the Laser class representative for New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games placing 5th.

After a very successful youth career, Andrew Murdoch (26 years of age) is one of New Zealand’s top yachting prospects for the future. His next goal is to win Gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

Andrew has a proven record of achievement – he has twice been world champion in team racing and has also captained those world championship-winning teams. At youth level in the Laser class he achieved bronze (1999) and silver (2000).

His most recent successes, after many years of achievements, have been 5th 2008 Beijing Olympics; 2nd in 2007, 3rd in 2005 and 6th in 2006 and the Laser World Championships; 2nd in the HRH Princess Sofia Regatta; 3rd in the Semaine Olympique Francaise; 3rd Pre-pre Olympic Test Event in China. .

Andrew is a top New Zealand Athlete, with sound values and the determination to win. He has constantly achieved recognition and been awarded various honours over the past 18 years.

More...
 



Andrew Murdoch in Beijing

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 5th June - Brad Butterworth

Bradley William Butterworth, OBE (born 1959) is a world-renowned yachtsman best known as tactician and skipper in the America's Cup for Team New Zealand and the Alinghi team of Switzerland.

He was born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand in 1959. He has been sailing since age six.

Butterworth has sailed and been successful in many international sailing competitions, including the Admiral's Cup, the Kenwood Cup[1], the Sydney to Hobart Race, the Fastnet Race, the Whitbread Round The World Race and the America's Cup.

In 1983 Butterworth started in the America's Cup as a sail-maker in the winning Australian campaign for the Cup.

1987 was a busy year as he was the skipper of the top-ranked Admiral's Cup boat Propaganda when New Zealand won the Admiral's Cup in England[2] after being aboard New Zealand's first America's Cup challenge in Fremantle as tactician earlier in the same year. He has been involved in the America's Cup in almost every event since 1983 and in the winning team four times, twice as challenger and twice as defender.

He was also a watch captain on Steinlager II with Peter Blake when she won the 1989-90 Whitbread Round The World Race[3] and skipper of a Whitbread 60 (later Volvo Ocean 60) class boat in the 1993/1994 race where he was associated with Dennis Conner and Tom Whidden[4].

Butterworth was tactician on the America's Cup winning teams of 1995 and 2000, both times winning the America's Cup match 5-0. He was awarded OBE after the 1995 event.

After the successful defense of the America's Cup in Auckland in 2000 the then skipper, Russell Coutts, tactician Butterworth and several other members of the New Zealand team moved to the Alinghi team. They then won the America's Cup in 2003, beating Team New Zealand 5-0 in waters near Auckland. After Russell Coutts left Alinghi in March 2005, Butterworth became skipper himself and went on to win the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia, again beating Team New Zealand, this time 5-2.

Public reaction in New Zealand to Butterworth and the other New Zealanders changing teams and moving to a Swiss team in 2000 was mixed. Some supported the move believing they were simply professional sailors who had already previously sailed in non-New Zealand campaigns in other sailing events (including Butterworth's own participation in the 1983 Australian team in the America's Cup), while many others regarded this move as a betrayal particularly since the America's Cup was - at that time - running with predominantly nationality-based teams.

Butterworth's impressive unbeaten run of 16 wins in America's Cup racing dating back to 1995 came to an end on June 24th, 2007 when the defender, Alinghi, was beaten in the second race of the 2007 America's Cup by the challenger Emirates Team New Zealand.

Butterworth is an avid yet tempramental golfer, but in December 2008 won a night putting contest on the 18th green at Pebble Beach.

Butterworth was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 2004.

 



Brad Butterworth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 29th May

Coming from an extremely sporty family, Lisa has always been very active. As a child it was Gymnastics that Lisa excelled at and also athletics and Netball. Later at age 15 Lisa got into Surfing in which she competed at a national level until leaving to go overseas in 1994. She was also a Taranaki Water polo rep, and held Taranaki secondary school records in discus and shot put.

She then went on to study social work and psychology then business studies, completing the National cert in business studies, and part of the national Diploma in accounting. Whilst overseas Lisa cycled through parts of 20 countries and did many adventure trips including canoeing down the Yukon in Canada/Alaska.

Back in Austria Lisa completed an apprenticeship as a goldsmith and ran her own business exporting Paua Pearls from NZ to Europe and Japan before running her own wholesale and retail manufacturing jewellery business in Austria.

Since 1997 Lisa has been involved in ultra distance running. Some of her bigger races and events are listed below. At the beginning of 2007 Lisa returned home to NZ and now runs her own designer Jewellery and Art shop in New Plymouth along with her Mother, Isobel. Landscape artist and Father Cyril is resident artist at her shop. In 2008 Lisa ran the Badwater Ultramarathon.

For more on Lisa Tamati, click here

 


 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Tamati

 

 

Friday 22nd May

This week we talk to a New Zealander who lives life on the edge and yet lives life according to so many rules of High Performance. Chuck Berry is an aerial adventurer. More famous for his base jumping exploits, he has a CV of achievement as long as many of his freefalls from some of the worlds most incredible jump sites.

Here is a comment that perhaps best sums up Chuck Berry, don't miss the interview this Friday, you will love it.

'Have you ever imagined what it must be like to jump off a cliff? Maybe you have, but more to the point; have you ever imagined what makes it possible for someone to put themselves in that position of wanting to jump enough, that they themselves now at the launch point? This does not happen by accident. This is the culmination, the coming together of fantasy, desire, faith, knowledge, ability, visualisation. Accepting a challenge of your own design, a brutal confrontation between ones personal life and safety and putting ones self out on a limb, far from the safety we naturally yearn for.' - Chuck

For more information on Chuck Berry, click here

First skydive at 17 in 1984
• 4000 skydives
• Participant in NZ freefall formation record
• NZ canopy formation flying record holder
• Participant in two separate world record attempts for largest freefall formations
• NZ national skydiving champs; 1st canopy formation flying (sequential); 2nd canopy formation flying (rotations); 1st team accuracy; 1st individual accuracy
• NZ Parachute Team 1992-3
• World Parachute Champs China '92; 4th place
• Professional skydiver since 1993 specialising in freefall camera work
• First basejump in 1990
• Sports include; skydiving, basejumping, kayaking, scuba diving, paragliding, snowboarding, climbing (rock, ice, alpine) & enjoying oneself
• Freefall photos taken by Chuck have appeared; on billboards in Auckland for Pepsi, Ansett in-flight magazine, Wheetbix card, Cover of recent 'No Limits' calendar, Minolta add, Postcards, numerous adverts & a book.
• Numerous newspaper appearances including four front pages.
• TV appearances include; Mountain Dew (two shows, both lead stories), Three Sport (two shows), 20/20 (lead story again), Ski Whizz, Too Extreme (Learning Channel in the US-another lead story) shown twice on NZ TV, T.V.2 'Magazine Show', Havoc & Newsboy.
• Subject of an award winning Kiwi-Australian hour long documentary on 'The Psychology of Risk'. Aired in NZ, Australia & with the Discovery Channel in the US
• Mentor in "Adventure Central", 13 part T.V. series made for 20th Century Fox for the "Discovery Channel", marketed to the US, NZ, Australia & Germany
• Stunt man on the locally made Lift' soft drink commercial. Involved skydiving from a helicopter while riding a mountain bike…twice
• Mountaineering safety on commercial productions
• Mountain Film Unit formed in April 2000. We made a basejumping film called 'The One'.
• 'Chilli Factor' UK TV Extreme Sports Show; Skydive from tandem paraglider & also fly own paraglider off Coronet Peak, release, freefall & deploy reserve. Passers by alert authorities, ambulance & police appear at scene. TV3 News picks up & airs as major news story

For more information on Chuck Berry, click here


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chuck Berry in action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 15th May

Join us as we broadcast live from the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show at the Auckland Showgrounds.

Our guest on the show is legendary NZ Water Skier Steve Cockeram. Steve has done just about all there is to do in water skiing, collection numerous NZ titles and world championship medals and just weeks ago was named NZ Water Skier of the Century. Here are some of the stats on the CV,

  • Steve Cockeram
    NZ's top water skier of all time - 3 weeks ago announced as 'NZ skier of the century'
    15 National Slalom Championships
    2 World Silver & 1 bronze Slalom Championships
    7 Gold Asian/Australasian Slalom Championships.
    Click here for more information on Steve

    Join us on Friday as we explore the art, the skill and the sport of water skiiing.

Plus we will have great prizes and giveaways both on air and through the website, tune in and watch the web for further details or click here for more information.


 


May 14 to 17, ASB Showgrounds, Auckland


Steve Cockeram in action

Friday 1st and 8th May

Maurice Trapp is an articulate, well educated ex-pat Englishman who made his home here in New Zealand and established one of the great coaching careers. Trapp, along with Bryan Williams and Jim Blair oversaw a great era of Auckland rugby, taking the province to numerous NPC titles and the Ranfurly Shield.

Before rugby had truly gone professional, Trapp and his management team established professional standards and applied them to a talented group of players. But many of those players earned their stripes under Trapp's guidance, many became the players we all knew and loved largely through his coaching and mentoring.

So why was Auckland so good? What made them a cut above the rest for so long so consistently? Tune in for a double episode of Maurice Trapp and Jim Blair on the 'great days of Auckland rugby'. Radio Sport Friday 2nd and 9th May, 3pm to 4pm.

 

 

Friday 28th November 2008

Ivan Mauger simply has no equal in the world of Speedway. His record of titles is simply too long to list here (visit the link below to go to Ivan's official website). Suffice to say he has a record 9 individual short and long course world championship titles and many many more other gongs to his name.

Awarded the OBE and MBE, Mauger continues to work in the sport he loves so much. Truth is, he has never left it. Whether coaching or speaking at seminars and speedway celebrations, Mauger's passion for the sport and for his country of NZ burns strong.

He was riding well into his 60's and still showing the younger brigade how it is done.

Join us as we chat with Ivan in this special two episode interview with one of the greats. You will be amazed at Mauger's use of mind control techniques and indeed a little friendly intimidation of opponents. It is all the rage now but back in the 50's and 60's young Mauger was getting under the skin and into the brains of his opponents as he rode away from them at championship after championship.

Visit Ivan's website
 

 

 

 

Friday 21st November, Steve Gurney

I've long resisted requests to write an autobiography. At first I used to say I was too busy making the action to stop and write about it. Besides, I was on the public-speaking circuit - most people would have heard it all before. Later I decided it would be too arrogant to write about myself anyway. Then something happened to change my mind. After being forced to retire in 2005 with badly torn ankle cartilage, I became seriously depressed about not being able to race anymore. What followed was two years of a new kind of adventure, one that was far more frightening than anything I had encountered before. I found that the only way out of those deep, dark depths was to force myself to dig even deeper and find out why winning was so important to me.

Looking back, I realised this was a significant time in my life. It got pretty ugly down there. I was horrified to find my ego had affected me so much that I had become arrogant about my racing. After two scary but stimulating years, I eventually found the answer to the question most people ask me: 'What drove you to do 19 Coast to Coast races in a row, and how did you win nine?'

The answer is somewhat different to what I thought it might be, and my search led me into far deeper levels of self-analysis than I'd ever gone before. Th is is what has inspired me to write about what I found. It is an answer that might help others who are driven in the same way that I am - to help them to understand who they are, to have courage, to motivate themselves to achieve their goals, and to be themselves, for themselves.

Another reason I was initially reluctant to write a book was because I was afraid I would look back years later and cringe at what I had written, realising that the opinions I had naively shared had since changed. But then I managed to reframe that fear and understand that this would be a good problem to have! It would mean that I had grown, that I had accepted change. It's also a risk I'm now prepared to take because I have found that half the problems I've had in my life could have been avoided if I'd heard more honest stories about other people - if I had been able to see who people really are. When we don't know the whole picture we tend to make up stories and imagine the worst. Conversely, if I had been more honest and transparent myself, I would also have had fewer stuff -ups.

So this book is a collection of stories - some funny, some serious - about what I did to win races and what it was like inside myself. Some are about the experiments I have tried with training, and with the power of mind over matter. There are the failures as well as the successes, because yes, I've made lots of mistakes - even had a very close call with death. Risk is something that is central to my experiences, too. Risk is a part of everyone's life, accept it or not. I take a good square look at risk, and explain how I see it as an opportunity rather than something to fear.

There's a bit of dirt - places where I've called a spade a spade. Digging through some of the traditional politeness and social norms we all get brainwashed with, there are some stories about basic bodily functions. So if you're a bit squeamish or sensitive you might want to avert your eyes from those bits.

Because of my achievements people sometimes call me a 'legend', and they'll say something like, 'Gee, I could never do what you did- nine Coast to Coast wins, those month-long races the length of New Zealand, the World Mountain Bike Champs.' And they'll ask about the adventure racing, and what it's like to have to deal with sleep deprivation and altitude sickness, or racing in far-flung countries, through jungles, up mountains and across deserts.

But all it really takes to do these things is determination and courage, which anyone can manage. Most people don't realise that it took me five attempts before I won the Coast to Coast race, despite having grand delusions that I could win it first time round. You see, I'm definitely not physically talented or gifted as an athlete. I'm 5 foot 7 - 172 centimetres. A short-arse. I'm a muscular gnome, a bow-legged biomechanical nightmare - my podiatrist Bruce Baxter told me so. Seriously, I look like I have just jumped off a horse.

You should see me running - I get all sorts of jokes. Jim Cotter, who competed against me in several Coast to Coast races, used to say, 'Hey Gurney, when are you going to grow calf muscles?' Then there's the one about my 'lucky legs' - 'They're so scrawny, you're lucky they don't snap off and poke up your bum!'

When people meet me for the first time they'll often say, 'You're shorter than I thought you'd be. You look bigger on TV.' That provides a good slap on the ego. The first couple of times people greeted me in this manner I got a wee bit hurt. I have never had a very high self-esteem, so I just took it on board along with all those other self-doubt things and accepted it as part of my lot. Then after a while I sort of clicked and realised that I had won many races with the body I was born with. There are lots of physically gifted multisport athletes who theoretically could have kicked my butt to Uranus and back. But more than 50 per cent of winning is psychology. It depends how much you want to win.

I was so determined to win that it led me to apply myself to a greater degree than my competition did. I searched all avenues for an advantage, learnt new techniques, trained harder and more thoroughly, invented new equipment and cunningly outmanoeuvred the competition on race day. Th ese are all techniques that anyone can use.

I accept the fact that mine is not the ideal physique, and I now realise I have more mental determination and have put in more training than most people who are more gifted physically. So I turn the coin over - it's a compliment that these people are paying me. I now take pride in the fact that I am a bit different, and this seems to be a thread that runs through me. Ever since I was a couple of years old I have been a little mischievous. I like to surprise people and I like to be different, and I guess that is what I am all about.

In his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey asserts, 'that which is most personal is also most universal'. I have started putting this idea into practice in my life by sharing my personal experiences. I find this leads other people to share at a more personal level, and in doing so we connect and find ways to be better people and align with our true selves. It is what inspires me to write. It aligns with my desire to make a small difference, and to leave this place a little better for my having been here.

Courage to you all!


Click here for more information on Steve Gurney and his latest book


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 7th November, Johan Bruyneel - Tour de France team manager

Though Johan may not have captured the Tour de France title as a professional cyclist, his 10 year riding career was highlighted by two Tour de France stage wins (1993 & 1995), as well as a day in the Tour’s coveted yellow jersey in 1995. That same year, he also placed 3rd overall in another Grand Tour, the Vuelta a Espana.

Johan’s ability to observe, prepare and tactically implement strategies, coupled with his heart and determination, led him to be a respected bike rider in the pro-peloton, but more importantly paved the way for his future career as sports director.

Click here to find out more about Johan Bruyneel

 

Friday 31st October, Kevin Biggar - The Oarsome Adventures of a Fatboy Rower

Kevin Biggar tells the High Performance Hour about what turned him from a couch potato, living at home with his mother in Howick, to an Atlantic Ocean Rowing race winner who then went on to trek unsupported to the South Pole. He has written a book about those challenges, The Oarsome Adventures of a Fatboy Rower.

HPH thoroughly recommends the book as a great read for all people of all ages and backgrounds, this is so much more than a sports book - buy it for yourself or a friend today or include in Christmas gifts this year.

Click here to find out more about Kevin Biggar

 

 

Friday 24th October, Two time IndyCar Champion, Scott Dixon

Scott  Dixon is a New Zealand motor racing driver who has twice won the Indy Racing League (IRL) championship in the United States, in 2003 on his first attempt, and again in 2008. He won the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2008, from pole position. At Kentucky in August that year he equalled the record for six wins in a season. Known as a consistent race finisher, Dixon has twice in his IndyCar career set the record for finishing the highest number of consecutive races, 28, at Watkins Glen in 2005, and again at Mid-Ohio in 2007.

Click here to go to Scott's website

 

Friday 17th October, NZ U17 Women's World Cup Football team Coach Paul Temple and captain Briony Fisher

Join us as we talk preparation and performance on the biggest stage for our young football stars. The eyes of the football world will be on NZ as we host this first ever women's U17 tournament, starting October 28th at North Harbour Stadium.

For more information, ticket sales and team news, click here

 

 

 

 

Friday 10th October, Peter Besenyei, World Champion Aerobatic Pilot

Péter Besenyei (1956) is a renowned Hungarian aerobatics pilot and world champion air racer.

He was born on June 8, 1956 in Körmend, Hungary. He lived near the airport of Budapest and became interested in flying as he was a child. From watching 1962 World Aerobatic Championships he decided to become a pilot. At 15 years of age he flew a glider for the first time. In 1976 Peter entered his first flying competition by piloting a glider and showed his talent, finishing at second place.

Peter Besenyei became an aerobatics pilot and won several titles in national and international championships. He won his first gold medal in 1982 at the Austrian National Championships. His specialty is free-style aerobatics. He invented a number of original snap rolls and, in 1984, the "knife-edge spin". In 1995 Peter Besenyei won 2 gold and 2 silver medals and he was named the most successful aerobatics pilot of his time. In 2001 Besenyei flew upside down under the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, that spans the river Danube in Budapest, a maneuver that became a standard in air races today.

He was asked, in 2001 by Austrian energy-drink company Red Bull, to help develop the concept of an air racing competition. With enthusiasm he helped set up the rules and regulations and carefully selected the most daring pilots, with skills and courage, to handle the extreme physical and mental challenges of the air race. The first race was held in 2003 in Zeltweg, Austria. After two years the competition became a worldwide organization of Red Bull Air Race World Series.

He is currently a test pilot for the Hungarian Aviation Office and a flying instructor for aerobatic pilots on Zivko Edge 540. Enjoying car racing, skiing, sky diving, fishing, and photography. Peter is divorced from his first wife, but now married to Tünde and they have two daughters Dóra and Nicolette.

Click here for more on Besenyei...

See Video of Besenyei in action      
 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 3rd October, Rob Waddell on Americas Cup Sailing

Rob Waddell is best known as Olympic Gold Medal rower, having won the single sculls at the Sydney 2000 Games. But he is also one of our deep thinkers in sport, a fiercely independent and well educated man. When Waddell speaks, others should listen because he has been to the mountain top and knows what is required to succeed in sport and business.

In this interview we explore the dynamics of team sport such as he experienced with Team NZ in the America's Cup and also talk about the huge transformation he made from rower to grinder, both physically and emotionally.

Rob Waddell Bio
Robert ("Rob") Norman Waddell, ONZM, (born January 7, 1975 in Te Kuiti) is a New Zealand rower, yachtsman and rugby union player. Waddell has one of the highest VO2 max intake levels of any athlete ever tested. He holds the fastest 2000 meter indoor rowing machine time in the world, clocking a time of 5mins 36.6secs (5:36.6). In 1998, he married fellow rower Sonia Scown.

Waddell started rowing at Kings College, Auckland. He was diagnosed with a condition called atrial fibrillation in 1997. It has needed careful management in order to permit him to compete at the highest level. He won the single scull at the rowing World Championships in 1998 and 1999, and the gold medal in the Single Sculls at the 2000 Summer Olympics. During his World Championship period, Waddell had several closely contested races with Xeno Müller, the 1996 Summer Olympics champion. In the years leading up to the Olympics, Müller beat Waddell in 3 out of the 7 races they faced each other. At the Olympics, Waddell and Müller dramatically traded the lead over the last half of the course before Waddell finally pulled away to win the gold medal.

Following the Olympics, he retired from rowing, trying out a number of other sports, including rugby, before joining Team New Zealand as a grinder for the 2003 America's Cup defence. He continued in the role as a grinder with Emirates Team New Zealand for the 2007 America's Cup challenge.

Waddell returned to rowing training at the New Zealand rowing training centre at Lake Karapiro in late 2007, and beat current world champion Mahe Drysdale at a club competition sparking a great competition between the two for the place to represent New Zealand at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The two traded races, with Waddell leading by three victories to one when final trials began in March 2008. The first two races of the final trials were close, with each sculler winning one race. In the final race, Waddell suffered a repeat of his atrial fibrillation condition, resulting in Drysdale winning easily; prior to this incident, Waddell had kept his medical condition a secret.

After losing the singles bid to Drysdale, Waddell earned a seat in New Zealand's double sculls, rowing bow seat behind Nathan Cohen. Because of Waddell's late entry into the New Zealand Olympic qualification trials, Waddell and Cohen had little time to train together in preparation for the games. They proved a strong duo, winning the 2008 Rowing World Cups in Lucerne and Poznan. However, their success at the World Cups was not continued to the Olympics, where they finished fourth in the Final A.

Olympic Medals: 1 Gold
World Championship Medals: 2 Gold

[edit] Olympic Games - Rowing
2000 - Gold, Single Sculls
1996 - 7th, Single Sculls
2008 - 4th, Double Sculls

[edit] World Championships - Rowing
1999 - Gold, Single Sculls
1998 - Gold, Single Sculls
1997 - 8th, Single Sculls
1995 - 10th, Coxless Four (4-)
1994 - 5th Coxed Pair (2+)
1994 - 13th Coxless Pair (2-)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 26th September, Sailing legend Rod Davis

Rod Davis had a wonderfully varied career in yachting. He was born in San Diego in 1955, the son of a former submarine captain.

In 1984 Davis, Robert Haines and Edward Trevelyan, representing the United States, won the Olympic Soling title at Los Angeles. They were so dominant they did not even have to contest the final race.

Davis was involved in the 1987 America’s Cup at Fremantle, helping the American challengers, but soon after moved to New Zealand. In 1988 Davis was employed by Michael Fay to be a coach in the Big Boat America’s Cup challenge. The following year he coached the New Zealand Admiral’s Cup team.

In 1992 Davis and Don Cowie sailed brilliantly in a field of 26 competitors to take the Star class silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics. They recorded finishing placings of 4-3-5-12-6-7-5 and, while they could not match high-flying Americans Mark Reynolds and Hal Haenel, they did well to edge out the strong Canadian and Dutch entries.

Four years later Davis and Cowie were unable to win a second Olympic medal, finishing fifth in the same event at Savannah. They finished with a total of 46 points, a whisker behind the fourth-placed Greeks, though well off a medal.

At Sydney in 2000 Davis and Cowie joined forces with Alan Smith in the Soling, where a controversial ruling deprived them of a place in the semi-finals. In the preliminaries they finished 3-3-10-2-7-3, and along with Norway and the Netherlands qualified directly for the quarter-finals.

Having won two races in the quarter-finals, it seemed they would progress to the semi-finals, but the Dutch appealed, claiming the wording of the rules was too vague, and the New Zealanders had to race off with them. The New Zealanders, after almost colliding with a passenger ferry before the start, lost by two lengths and were eliminated.

Davis, one of the world’s best match-racers through the 1990s, was also involved with the Italian and Danish sailing programmes. In 2004 he was the head coach of the successful Danish Olympic sailing team.

He has maintained his links with the America’s Cup. He was the appointed skipper of Michael Fay’s 1992 challenge, though he was replaced late in the contest by Russell Coutts. For the 1995 America’s Cup contest, he was John Bertrand’s helmsman on OneAustralia. For 2000 he moved on to coach Prada and he was Prada’s tactician in 2003. He assisted Team New Zealand with its 2007 America’s Cup campaign, but by then he was undertaking two important yachting roles - in 2005 he had been appointed Yachting New Zealand’s Olympic Director.

He married Team New Zealand stalwart Tom Schnackenberg’s sister, Liz.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 19th September, Beijing Olympic double Medalist Hayden Roulston

Hayden Roulston (born January 10, 1981 in Ashburton) is a New Zealand professional racing cyclist. He won the silver medal in the men's 4000m individual pursuit and a bronze medal in the men's 4000m team pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Roulston was a supremely talented junior rider on both road and track and competed for New Zealand on the track and initially on the road for a club team in France. He turned professional with the French team Cofidis in 2002 where he remained for two seasons before moving to Discovery Channel for 2005. His season with Discovery Channel featured some impressive rides but was interrupted by injury and eventually ended when he resigned after an incident in a Christchurch bar. He attempted to relaunch his professional road career in the US when he signed for Continental Pro team HealthNet and began strongly with two top ten stage finishes in the Tour of California beating many big name ProTour regulars. Unfortunately for Roulston his first year at HealthNet ended when a medical examination revealed irregular heart activity and he was advised to stop riding immediately.[1]

Back home in New Zealand he experimented with some alternative remedies and was soon back riding - and winning. Without a contract but still motivated to ride he won the National Road Race title in 2006 and back to back Tour of Southland and Tour of Wellington titles in 2006 & 2007. In addition to the road races he returned to the track and won several titles at the New Zealand and Oceania track championships.

Roulston was selected for the New Zealand team to compete at the 2008 World Track Championships in Manchester where he narrowly missed medals in the 4000m Individual Pursuit (4th) and Team Pursuit (4th) as well as finishing 9th in the Madison with Greg Henderson. Having performed so strongly in Manchester, he was selected for the Beijing Olympics, where he focused on improving his 4th placed pursuit rides. Former New Zealand track coach Ron Cheatley suggested his best bet will be to drop the Madison and focus on the complimentary pursuit events in much the same fashion as Kiwi pursuit rider Sarah Ulmer.[citation needed] Ulmer quit road racing and focused solely on her pursuit preparation before the 2004 Athens Olympics where she went on to smash the world record and take the gold medal in the women's 4000m Individual Pursuit.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Roulston won the silver medal in the 4000m individual pursuit, defeated in the gold medal race by Briton, Bradley Wiggins. He also featured as a member of the Bronze medal winning New Zealand team pursuit team, although he did not race in the qualifying rounds.[2] He came 10th in the Madison with his team mate Greg Henderson [3].

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 12th September, Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist Tom Ashley

Tom Ashley has been a serious competitor since winning his first event in 1995 - aged 11.

The Auckland-based windsurfer has added an impressive list of top ten performances since then, including winning three Youth World Championship titles from 2002 to 2003, and a second placing at the 2006 World Championships in Italy.

On land, Tom was named Young Sailor of the Year in 2002, and in 2006 was presented with an award of merit from Yachting New Zealand that recognises sailing ability, seamanship and sportsmanship.

Tom placed 10th at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and of course won gold at Beijing.   More on Tom Ashley...

 

 

 

Friday 5th September, Dr Kerry Spackman
Dr Spackman specialises in elite training for people who are already ranked in the World Top 20 of their sport and who now wish to progress to World Number 1
Additionally athletes with proven exceptional ability at the early stages of their career will also be accepted and taken through to the elite level.
 
Neuroscience, Physics, Mathematics and Psychology

Dr Spackman has pioneered an entirely new method of training athletes which transcends traditional sports psychology
Training techniques are based on neuroscience research and a detailed understanding of how individual modules in the brain function e.g. the visual processing system, the vestibular system and the motor control system
This knowledge of the brain is then coupled with an expert understanding of the Physics, Mathematics and Biomechanical demands of each athlete’s sport
A bespoke program is then constructed based on the athlete’s history, their emotional needs and state
The program is delivered to the athlete in an easy to digest and enjoyable manner without them having to understand or appreciate the science that underpins everything. More...
 

 

 

29th August, WRC Driver Chris Atkinson on his obsession with speed.
Chris Atkinson, born November 30, 1979 in the far South Coast town of Bega, New South Wales, Australia, is a professional rally driver in the World Rally Championship. He has driven for the Subaru World Rally Team since the 2005 season. His best finish in the series is second, which he achieved at the 2008 Rally Mexico and Rally Argentina. Other podium placings include third at the 2005 Rally Japan and equalled at the 2008 Monte Carlo Rally. Chris is currently third in the 2008 WRC Driver's Championship behind Mikko Hirvonen and Sebastien Loeb after round nine.

Early career
At the wheel of a privately-entered Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Atkinson impressed in his first full season of competition in the Australian Rally Championship. He finished inside the top ten in Group N and well inside the overall top 20 on every round he contested. During the year, Atkinson set second-fastest stage times on two occasions which, considering his age and experience, gave an indication of his tremendous potential. In one of the most competitive Australian Rally Championship ever, the Atkinson boys finished ninth outright and were crowned Privateer Champions. This performance brought Atkinson to the attention of Suzuki, who offered him the opportunity to drive one of its Super 1600 Ignis models with the Suzuki Sport team in the 2003 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.

Atkinson rewarded the team with a class win in the opening round of the championship in Canberra. Next came a second place in New Zealand, a second in Japan and two remarkable wins in Thailand and India. Atkinson was duly crowned Asia-Pacific Super 1600 Champion, but perhaps of more significance was his position of fifth overall, across all classes, in the Asia-Pacific Championship ahead of many more powerful, four-wheel-drive, turbo-charged cars.

WRC career
Atkinson's first world rally was the 2004 Rally New Zealand in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. For 2005, he was signed by Subaru World Rally Team to drive the Subaru Impreza WRC alongside 2003 world champion Petter Solberg. He finished 12th overall in the drivers' world championship with 13 points. His best results were third in Japan and fourth in Australia.

After a 2006 season with tenth overall in the championship, 20 points and a fourth place as his best finish, Subaru told Atkinson that his job was on the line, and if he couldn't balance his speed with safety and achieve quality results he would be replaced by another driver.

At the start of the 2007 season Atkinson silenced his critics with a fourth place in the 2007 Rally Monte Carlo. Atkinson even recorded three stage wins. On the final day of the rally, Atkinson was 0.8 seconds behind fourth place man Mikko Hirvonen and had to beat him in the super special stage, a 2.4 km run through Monaco which uses part of the world famous Formula One course. Hirvonen set a time of 1:50.9 meaning that Atkinson had to at least set a time of 1:50.1 to beat him, but Atkinson did better and took the stage win with a time of 1:49.9. Hirvonen was the first person over to Atkinson to congratulate him.

At the 2007 Rally Finland, Atkinson posted the fastest time on the short opening super special stage on a horse-racing course at Killeri, to lead the rally for a short time. Atkinson finished the 2007 season seventh overall in the drivers' world championship.

At the beginning of the 2008 WRC season, Atkinson started off strongly, with a third place in Monte Carlo; and in the 2008 Corona Rally Mexico, Atkinson finished with a second place, 30 seconds ahead of Jari Matti Latvala.

Career highlights
2007 - 7th, World Rally Championship
2006 - 10th, World Rally Championship
2005 - 12th, World Rally Championship
2004 - Second, Australian Rally Championship
2004 - Winner, Asia Pacific Super 1600 Championship
2003 - Winner, Asia Pacific Super 1600 Championship
2002 - Winner, Australian Privateers Cup
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8th August, David Colquhoun, Editor of 'As If Running On Air' the book of journals and diary entries of Jack Lovelock

David Colquhoun is editor of the above mentioned book but he is also Curator of Transcripts at the Alexander Turnbull Library and importantly, he is a runner.

David joins HPH to talk about the life and times of one of NZ's greatest ever athletes, Jack Lovelock. Jack is the subject of the book 'As if Running on Air' and is a book that contains much of the man himself, including his journal and diary entries leading up to his memorable Olympic gold medal in Berlin in 1936.

Lovelock is something of an enigma, dead before his time in a mysterious and tragic subway accident in New York. Lovelock was a determined, driven and intense man. A Rhodes Scholar to Oxford, he studied for and earned a medical degree and of course was a world record holder, Empire Games gold medalist and Olympic Games gold medalist.

Join us for a fascinating insight into Jack Lovelock and to learn more, make sure you purchase a copy of 'As if Running on Air' - for a review click on the Sony Style Review section of this website.

More...

 

 

 

1st August 2008 - Former World and Olympic Rowing Champion Rob Waddell

One of NZ's premier modern day sportsmen, in 2008 Rob Waddell is back in rowing. Rob and Nathan Cohen have been named to man the double sculls for New Zealand at the Beijing Olympic Games. Some achievement when you consider that Rob has been out of rowing for seven and a half years.

Rob rowed his way to the World Championship title in the single sculls 2000m event in Germany in 1998. In August 1999 he successfully defended his title with a world best time of 6m 36.68s, knocking 0.35 seconds off the previous world best. In July 2000 he again won gold at the World Cup rowing regatta for the third time in a row. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Rob took home a gold medal.

Since Rob attended his first world championships in Indianapolis in 1994, he has achieved many New Zealand firsts. In 1995 as a novice sculler, he was the youngest person ever to win a single sculls title at the New Zealand national championships. He claimed the World Indoor Rowing Championship in 1997, with a world record time of 5m.39.5s, and the World Cup in Lucerne Switzerland in 1999.

Following his first world championship in 1998, he received the Halberg Sportsman of the Year Award and following his success in 1999, won this title again.

Rob’s talents are not restricted to rowing. At Kings College he gained a bursary in statistics, was four times winner of the public speaking prize and a member of both the rowing Eight and First XV rugby team. He has a Bachelor of Management Studies with honours, speaks Japanese fluently and has an interest in website design.

In the 2001 NZ honours list Rob was awarded the Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to rowing. Less than two months later he made history again when he switched from rowing to America's Cup sailing and was named as a grinder for Team New Zealand. In the same week he was again named Sportsman of the Year and became the first person to be awarded the supreme Halberg Award for 3 consecutive years.

Rob is an excellent role model who has clearly demonstrated the benefits of applying his management and planning skills, and what can be achieved through preparation, training and determination.

He is currently a member of the Athletes Commission of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, representing other New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes.  More...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18th and 25th July 2008 - Ivan Mauger

Ivan Mauger simply has no equal in the world of Speedway. His record of titles is simply too long to list here (visit the link below to go to Ivan's official website). Suffice to say he has a record 9 individual short and long course world championship titles and many many more other gongs to his name.

Awarded the OBE and MBE, Mauger continues to work in the sport he loves so much. Truth is, he has never left it. Whether coaching or speaking at seminars and speedway celebrations, Mauger's passion for the sport and for his country of NZ burns strong.

He was riding well into his 60's and still showing the younger brigade how it is done.

Join us as we chat with Ivan in this special two episode interview with one of the greats. You will be amazed at Mauger's use of mind control techniques and indeed a little friendly intimidation of opponents. It is all the rage now but back in the 50's and 60's young Mauger was getting under the skin and into the brains of his opponents as he rode away from them at championship after championship.

More...


 


Mauger in action at his peak
11th July 2008 - Current All White and captain of Blackburn Rovers Ryan Nelsen

After attending St Thomas of Canterbury College, Nelsen went to the United States of America to play for Greensboro College in North Carolina in 1997. After spending two years at Greensboro and leading the team to the NCAA Division III Final Four, Nelsen moved to Stanford University, where he played his final two years of college soccer. At Stanford, Nelsen was voted team MVP in his first year, and named an NSCAA All-American in his senior year, while playing as a defensive midfielder.

Nelsen was drafted 4th overall in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, with whom he has spent four years in Major League Soccer. After emerging as a starter in 2002, Nelsen was named team captain in 2003, replacing Marco Etcheverry in that role, as well as winning the team's Defender of the Year Award and being named to the league's Best XI. He was named to the Best XI again in 2004, after captaining DC to its fourth MLS Cup. In four years in MLS, Nelsen scored seven goals and added five assists.

Move to the Premiership
Nelsen was signed by Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in January 2005, shortly after the 2004 MLS season had finished. In the summer of 2005, after just 6 months at the club, Nelsen was rewarded with a new 3 year contract after impressing Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes by helping to turn their defence into one of the stingiest of the league, conceding only .67 goals per game after his arrival that season. The central defender was successfully awarded a work permit when Rovers launched an appeal after the initial application had been refused due to New Zealand being ranked outside the top 70 in the FIFA World Rankings.

Nelsen has been a revelation for Blackburn, as he's consistently produced top class performances to keep clean sheets against some of the Premier League's best strikers, alongside Zurab Khizanishvili, Andy Todd and Christopher Samba. In the 2005-06, Blackburn qualified for the UEFA Cup with a 6th place finish, but Nelsen missed the last couple of games after breaking his foot in a 2-0 win at Charlton. Nevertheless, his performances since arriving in England prompted much interest from rival clubs, notably Portsmouth having big bids turned down by Rovers.

Despite recovering from the foot injury, Nelsen was dealt another serious blow before the start of the 2006-07 season, with a serious hamstring injury forcing him out until the new year. On his return to the team in an FA Cup 4th round win at Luton Town, he was immediately made captain, a clear indication of highly the club regard him and he remains a fans favourite. In July 2007, he signed a new 5-year deal with the club.

International career
Nelson made his New Zealand All Whites debut against Poland on June 19, 1999. Nelsen last captained the New Zealand national team in 2004. Although he has been selected to play on numerous occasions, Nelsen has not represented New Zealand since due largely to a recurring hamstring injury.[2] Nelsen was included in the New Zealand U-23 squad for their first appearance at the Olympic Games as one of 3 over age players, alongside Simon Elliott and Chris Killen, although he will only be available for the opening 2 matches as Blackburn have requested that he return in time to prepare for their opening Premier League game of the 2008-09 season against Everton.

 

Nelsen in action for Rovers against Arsenal

 

 

 

 

 

 


4th July 2008 - Former international goalkeeper Michael Utting

Michael Utting is an enigma. A player with great talent, he was identified as a future professional when still in his teens. A professional career in South Africa followed for the boy from Wellington but a serious car accident that should have killed him left him with plates in a broken neck and serious head injury. He defied the doctors to return though and would star for NZ at the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico with a string of outstanding saves against Brazil.

But the signs were not good, alcohol related incidents were already appearing on the CV, including being dropped for one match in Mexico due to a broken curfew. That came to a head in 2002 when he was dropped from the national team on the eve of the Oceania Nations Cup. With the assistance of his family and NZ Soccer but importantly his own recognition, he began to put his life in order.

That recovery saw him return to play for the national team, play in the NZ national championship, win the Oceania O-League with Waitakere with a stunning performance in the final against Ba that turned back the clock and find stability in his everday life.

The High Performance Hour talks to Michael about that recovery.


Utting in action for YoungHeart Manawatu

 

 


20th and 27th June 2008 - Legendary swimmer Kieren Perkins

Olympic success
Olympic success ensures that athletes become part of Australian sporting folklore. By winning the 1500 metres Freestyle at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, Kieren Perkins is one of Australia's most well-known sporting athletes. In 1996, Perkins swept all before him as he swam to a gold medal after everybody else had decided his chances of winning were all but sunk.

Greatest distance swimmer
Kieren Perkins established a record as the greatest distance swimmer when he became the first person to win medal in three successive Olympics 1500 metre freestyle events. In under 15 minutes, he came a close second to Grant Hackett in Sydney 2000, securing the silver medal. In an exceptional career, Perkins dominance was unparalleled. For a decade, Olympic swimming fans and commentators were in awe of his achievements.

Australian swimming legend
In a sport where Australia has traditionally been strong, Kieren Perkins is an Australian swimming legend. Even the harshest critics agree he is the greatest distance swimmer in history. Kieren Perkins is without doubt one of the greatest and most dominating swimmers of all time.
 

Kieren Perkins and great rival
Grant Hackett

 

 


13th June 2008 - Sports Performance Coach Craig Lewis

Craig holds a Masters degree from the University of Western Australia. He has been Performance Coach to a large number of New Zealand athletes, including the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games team. He was the inaugural director of the New Zealand Squash Institute, and has been Performance Coach to national champions, world champions and world record holders.

He was Performance Coach to the New Zealand Kiwis rugby league team. He played a critical role in assisting the team to break a forty-six year old Sydney losing streak against Australia and ultimately claim the 2005 Gillette Tri-Series in one of rugby league’s greatest ever upsets and this country’s most memorable victories.

Craig'sfirst book, Lead to Succeed: What It Takes To Be The Best, was published in August 2007, and has received significant acclaim from both business leaders and sport coaches alike.

As a consequence of his formal training in Sport Psychology and his eighteen years on international sporting circuits, Craig has acquired a highly developed systems thinking approach to coincide with his leadership positions at the UDC Finance Squash Institute, Quality Finance Ltd, Sport Life New Zealand Ltd and the Health and Wellness Institute Ltd. He was also a member of the four-man Board of Management for the Rebel Sport Auckland basketball team who achieved unparalleled success throughout the mid-to-late 1990’s, and was a contributing author to Lynn Kidman’s internationally acclaimed book, Developing Decision Makers: An Empowerment Approach to Coaching.

He is a regular contributor to New Zealand's leading golf magazine, The Cut, where his Performance column has been widely received by the golfing fraternity for its insights into the psychological profile of the game's players. He is the source of leading editorial pertaining to corporate goal-setting practices and personal development strategies in The New Zealand Herald, and frequently provides comments to New Zealand's leading men's magazine, M2. He is regularly asked to provide comment in both the print and television media.

He has become the speaker of choice for many New Zealand companies seeking a competitive edge over their rivals, where his successful and endurable strategies form the foundation of leadership and personal development training.


More...

 

 


6th June 2008 - Former World and Olympic Rowing Champion Rob Waddell

One of NZ's premier modern day sportsmen, in 2008 Rob Waddell is back in rowing. Rob and Nathan Cohen have been named to man the double sculls for New Zealand at the Beijing Olympic Games. Some achievement when you consider that Rob has been out of rowing for seven and a half years.

Rob rowed his way to the World Championship title in the single sculls 2000m event in Germany in 1998. In August 1999 he successfully defended his title with a world best time of 6m 36.68s, knocking 0.35 seconds off the previous world best. In July 2000 he again won gold at the World Cup rowing regatta for the third time in a row. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Rob took home a gold medal.

Since Rob attended his first world championships in Indianapolis in 1994, he has achieved many New Zealand firsts. In 1995 as a novice sculler, he was the youngest person ever to win a single sculls title at the New Zealand national championships. He claimed the World Indoor Rowing Championship in 1997, with a world record time of 5m.39.5s, and the World Cup in Lucerne Switzerland in 1999.

Following his first world championship in 1998, he received the Halberg Sportsman of the Year Award and following his success in 1999, won this title again.

Rob’s talents are not restricted to rowing. At Kings College he gained a bursary in statistics, was four times winner of the public speaking prize and a member of both the rowing Eight and First XV rugby team. He has a Bachelor of Management Studies with honours, speaks Japanese fluently and has an interest in website design.

In the 2001 NZ honours list Rob was awarded the Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to rowing. Less than two months later he made history again when he switched from rowing to America's Cup sailing and was named as a grinder for Team New Zealand. In the same week he was again named Sportsman of the Year and became the first person to be awarded the supreme Halberg Award for 3 consecutive years.

Rob is an excellent role model who has clearly demonstrated the benefits of applying his management and planning skills, and what can be achieved through preparation, training and determination.

He is currently a member of the Athletes Commission of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, representing other New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes.  More...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


30th May 2008 - Former Australian opening batsman Justin Langer

Justin Lee Langer (born 21 November 1970 in Perth) is a former Australian cricketer. A left-handed batsman, his opening partnership with Matthew Hayden in Test matches was one of the most successful pairs of all-time. Langer is also a solid gully fielder, and was very occasionally the wicket-keeper for the Australian one-day team. In January 2007 he retired from international cricket. He can play both aggressively and defensively, but has a reputation for grinding away. However, in a recent Wisden Australia article, Langer's Test strike rate was shown to be superior to that of noted stroke makers Mark Waugh and Damien Martyn. Langer is also the highest run-scorer for Western Australia in Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield matches.

Click here for Wikipedia summary of Justin Langer's career More...

Click here for more information on Justin Langer: Seeing the sunrise More...

 

 


23rd May 2008 - Paul MacDonald, Olympic Kayak legend and coach to Ben Fouhy

Paul MacDonald MBE (born January 8, 1960) is a retired New Zealand professional canoeist. He is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful international athletes and holds innumerable international speed records in canoeing.

In the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, 1984 he earned two gold medals (K2 500m with and K4 1000m with Grant Bramwell, Alan Thompson and Ferguson). He then earned three more medals at at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. MacDonald won a gold medal in the K2 500m with Ian Ferguson,a silver medal in the K2 1000m also with Ferguson, and a bronze medal in the K1 500m. MacDonald and Ferguson also competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona in the K2 500 and K2 1000 and made the final of the longer race.

He also competed at the 1987 World Canoeing Championships in West Germany where Paul, with team-mate Ian Ferguson, won Gold in the K2 1000m and Silver in the K2 500m, and Gold in the individual K1 500 making him the first New Zealander to ever win an individual World Gold.

Nowadays MacDonald is fulltime coach to former World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Ben Fouhy as he chases his dream at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Paul pictured with Ben Fouhy

 


16th May 2008 - Craig Archer, co-pilot of NZ Offshore Powerboat champion Sleepyhead

Craig joined us live at the Hutch Wilco NZ Boat Show and regaled us with his exploits and adventures behind the throttle of offshore powerboats, in particular current NZ Champion Sleepyhead with Peter Turner at the wheel. Craig spoke of the power of the twin 540 horsepower V8 engines and the speeds of up to 190kph on water around New Zealand and the world.

Craig also told us of the training and preparation that goes into coping with accidents. Crew are dunked inside a cage upside down into water and must learn how to use their oxygen apparatus, open hatches and escape from their harnesses.

Craig and Peter Turner have won multiple world and national titles individually and of late have teamed up to win 3 consecutive NZ titles with Sleepyhead.

 

 


9th May 2008 - William Truebridge, diving to a world record

William learnt to swim at the age of 18 months, and was freediving to 15m by the age of 8, however he did not begin serious training for the sport until 2003. In 2004 he became the first non-Italian instructor at Umberto Pelizzari's prestigious Apnea Academy. Since then he has trained extensively with Pelizzari, and written the translations of 'Manual of Freediving' (Idelson & Gnocchi) and the Apnea Academy Instructors Manual..

More...


 

 


 


18th April 2008 - Jason Richards - Fitness and physiology of a race car driver
NZ V8 Supercar Driver Jason Richards joins us to discuss the fitness regime and physiological demands facing top drivers these days.

Jason Richards Bio

The happy go lucky New Zealander returns for his fifth straight season with Tasman Motorsport and has established himself as one of the regular runners in the V8 Supercar Series.
After starting in karts and open wheelers in his homeland, Richards headed to England to continue his career in Formula Ford before returning to New Zealand and becoming a works BMW touring car driver.
A short stint in Super Touring in Australia in 1997 was a taste of things to come and after being the NZ Touring Car Champion, Richards made his V8 Supercar debut at Bathurst with a new team, Team Kiwi in 2000.
He has been a part of the V8 furniture since, running with Team Kiwi until 2003 when he joined Team Dynamik before signing for Tasman Motorsport for 2004.
A massive roll over at Queensland Raceway in 2005 helped Richards hit the headlines around the world, but he fought back to finish on the podium at Sandown and Bathurst later that year.
More...

7th December - Rob Hewitt - 'Treading Water'
Rob Hewitt has an amazing story to tell of how he survived 75 hours in the water off Kapiti Coast. How he faced many life saving decisions and made the right calls, how he fought the urge to die and lived to tell the tale and write the book, 'Treading Water.'

In February 2006, Rob Hewitt went missing while diving in the sea off the Kapiti Coast. Seventy-five hours later, he was found in the water alive.
Treading Water is the story of the spiritual journey Rob made during that time. It traces Rob Hewitt’s humble beginnings, through the childhood events that shaped him, his career in the navy, and the days and nights adrift at sea and how the ordeal changed his life

For more details on the book from Huia Publishers, click here

 

 

 

 

 

 


23rd November 2007 - 'Fly me to the Moon' - a look back at the Apollo 11 mission from 1969.

Jon and Andrew took listeners back to the year 1969 when man first walked on the moon. The show included some amazing statistics and figures from the mission - did you know the computer running the mission had the same power as a calculator you can know buy at the $2 Shop!!

If you don't know much about the mission, what was involved, the people involved and the drama along the way, do some research, it is truly an amazing story of high performance.

For more information click here

 


16th November 2007 - Triathlon and Multisport with various guests

Cameron Brown joined us to talk Ironman and his summer programme. Just like average people training or aiming for a big event, Cameron struggles a little when getting back into training and has to pace himself back into his work. Our own Ironman legend is aiming to compete in a few races throughout the summer, including in at least one of the Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series races before taking on Ironman NZ on March 1st.

Scott Rice is event director of the Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series and joined us to talk about the 5 race series and what people can do to prepare for any one of the events. The website offers great advice and training tips, check it out at www.oceanswim.co.nz

Stephen Farrell joined us from Triathlon NZ with some thoughts on the summer of racing, including the Contact Energy My Sport Series which travels around the country this summer. The schedule includes a number of 'tri my sport' races over short distances for the beginners or those returning to the sport.


9th November 2007 - Solar Impulse with Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg

One of the more amazing scientific and technology ground breaking projects in recent history is the Solar Impulse project, headed by world renowned adventurer Professor Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. As the world runs out of fossil fuels Solar Impulse is setting out to achieve what many thought impossible, circumnavigating the globe in a plane on solar power only, flying day and night. For more on this amazing project tune on to HPH on 9th November.

More.

 


2nd November 2007 - Andre Hartman

Andre is a South African who dives with sharks, Great Whites are his favourites. Pioneer of the 'gaping' technique that would get Great Whites to open their mighty jaws when launching out of the water to 'taste' boats and craft, Hartman is a fan of the great creature and nowadays takes tourists on their own diving experience in cages off Dyer Island, a mecca for Great White Shark spotting.

More...

 


26th October 2007 - Jonny Reid

Jonny Reid was born in Auckland in 1983 and has forged a great career already in various forms of motorsport. More recently he has become the number one driver for A1 Team NZ and currently leads the championship. Here are some facts and figures and a link to his website.

• Started out in karting at the age of 9
• Multiple New Zealand karting champion – ’96, ‘97’ 98, ’99, 2000
• Austalian karting 3rd in the national championships in 2001
• Formula Ford Champion (New Zealand) 2002/2003
• New Zealand Grand Prix winner (Formula Ford) 2003
• 2nd Australian Formula Holden Championship, 2003
• 4th in European Formula 3000 Championship 2004, plus 1st placed Rookie
• Awarded the Bruce McLaren Trophy at the Drivers Awards in the UK for “the most Meritorious Driver in the Commonwealth”, 2004
• Race winner in Japanese Formula 3 05/06
• 4th place in debut A1GP race in 2005 at Lausitz Ring in Germany
• Pole position in first race of 2006 A1GP World Cup at Brno in Czech Republic
• Another front row start at A1GP Sepang in Malaysia, taking 2nd position in qualifying and 3rd spot on the podium in the sprint race
• Pole Position and double victories at A1GP Sentul in Indonesia
More...

 

 

 


19th October 2007 - Mario Andretti

Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940 in Montona d'Istria, Italy, now Motovun, Croatia) is an Italian American racecar driver, and one of the most successful Americans in the history of auto racing.

He has competed and won in many different types of auto racing, including stock cars, midget cars, sprint cars, IndyCars, drag racing cars, sports cars, and single-seater Formula One cars. During his career, Andretti won four IndyCar titles, the 1978 Formula One World Championship, and IROC VI (the 1978 - 1979 IROC). To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), NASCAR's Daytona 500 (1967), and the Formula One World Championship, and, along with Juan Pablo Montoya, the only driver to have won a race in the NASCAR Cup series, Formula 1, and an Indianapolis 500. No American has won a Formula One race since Andretti at the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix.[1] Andretti had 109 career wins on major circuits.[2]

Andretti had a long career in racing. He was the only person to be named United States Driver of the Year in three decades (1967, 1978, and 1984).[3] He was also one of only three drivers to win races on road courses, paved ovals, and dirt tracks in one season, a feat that he accomplished four times.[3] At his final IndyCar win in April 1993, Andretti became the first driver to win IndyCar races in four decades[4] and the first to win races in five decades.[3]

The name Mario Andretti has become synonymous with speed in the United States,[5] similar to Barney Oldfield in the early twentieth century and Stirling Moss in the United Kingdom. More...
 

 

 


12th October 2007 - Ben Kozel
Ben was born in 1973, in South Australia, the driest state in the driest continent on Earth. Perhaps significantly, perhaps not, he grew up in a city that was once reputed to be one of two ports in the world where visiting ships refused to take on water.

As a boy, when not indulging a ravenous appetite for playing sport – especially cricket, soccer and Australian Rules football – he could be found with his nose planted firmly in an atlas. By the age of ten, an unnatural love of geography saw him able to rattle off the capital, and basic statistics of almost every country on Earth.

MORE...

 

 

 


5th October 2007 - Former top golf pro Greg Turner
Greg Turner (born 21 February 1963) is a New Zealand golfer.

Turner was born in Dunedin. He attended Oklahoma University in the United States but has spent most of his career on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour. He has won four titles on the European Tour and achieved a career best ranking of eighteenth on the European Tour Order of Merit in 1997. He has represented New Zealand in international competitions many times and was one of Peter Thomson's two wild card selections (along with Frank Nobilo for the winning International Team in the 1998 Presidents Cup.

Turner has retired from tour golf and has set up a golf course design and corporate hospitality business. He is also active in the promotion of a series of tournaments in New Zealand for both amatuer and professional golfers.

Turner's brothers are former national cricket representative Glenn Turner and award-winning poet Brian Turner. His sister-in-law Sukhi Turner is a former mayor of Dunedin. More...
 

 


28th September 2007 Former top NRL referee Bill Harrigan

Bill Harrigan is widely acknowledged as Australia’s finest sporting official.

With a profile equal to that of the major players, Bill Harrigan refereed 393 First Grade Rugby League games, 21 State of Origins, 25 Test Matches and 10 Grand Finals. He has played an integral part in many of the most spectacular matches in Rugby League history.

Bill Harrigan has seen the games best players up close - often in his face.

Prior to this, Bill Harrigan was dealing with life threatening situations as an elite police officer with the NSW tactical response group and the special weapons and operations squad.

Upon retiring from his high profile refereeing role, Bill Harrigan spent twelve months in a ground breaking move with the Sydney City Roosters as their consultant.

In 2005 Bill Harrigan returned to the NRL as a referees consultant and is the CEO of Australian Oztag. Along with his media commitments, Bill Harrigan is very much now considered as one of the games best advisers.

A two time winner of Australia’s prestigious ‘Official of the Year” Sports Award and more recently, a best selling author with his autobiography ‘HARRIGAN’, Bill Harrigan is now regarded as one of Australia’s leading motivational speakers .

Bill Harrigan is living proof that if you set your goals and follow them with commitment and dedication, you can achieve great results in whatever you choose to do.
 

 

 

 

 

 


21st September 2007 The War of the Worlds Musical creator Jeff Wayne - for more information including details of the NZ tour dates, visit www.thewaroftheworlds.com

Jeff Wayne was born 1 July, 1943 in Forest Hills, Queens. His father, Jerry Wayne, was an actor, singer and theatre producer who had a profound influence on Jeff's life in many ways, inspiring his love of music and of tennis, and introducing him to H. G. Wells' book The War of the Worlds. Wayne took classical piano lessons from the age of five, moving onto jazz piano, and was taught tennis by his father. He spent four years of his childhood in the UK after his father won the role of romantic gambler Sky Masterson in the original West End musical production of Guys and Dolls.

Four years later they returned to New York. Wayne graduated from Stephen Halsey Jr. High and then attended Forest Hills High School for one year (including playing for its tennis team), before moving to California. He graduated from Grant High School, then from Los Angeles Valley College with a journalism degree. He also played keyboards in local bands and coached tennis to support himself through those years. After completing his journalism degree he switched to music, and played keyboards briefly with the Sandpipers.

Music career begins
In 1966, his father Jerry offered Jeff Wayne the opportunity to compose the score for his upcoming West End musical Two Cities based on Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities which ran at London's Palace Theatre. The musical was a great success, winning for Edward Woodward the Evening Standard Award for Best Male Performance in a Musical for 1968-69. Returning to the UK, Wayne's musical career truly began. He became a record producer and helped produce David Essex's album Rock On. Essex was later recruited by Wayne as a voice actor in The War of the Worlds, playing the part of The Artilleryman.

The War of the Worlds
In 1978, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds was released and achieved international success, including worldwide hit singles "The Eve of the War" and "Forever Autumn", with vocals performed by Justin Hayward in both. It has also won two Ivor Novello Awards along with The Best Recording in Science Fiction and Fantasy, (the judges included Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Alfred Hitchcock). The record was re-released in 1995 on audio CD with five tracks remastered and added onto the second disk that were mostly created without Wayne's input.

Wayne kept a fairly low profile in the decade after The War of the Worlds, but continued to be active in composing and producing. He produced the music for the movie McVicar, released in 1980; he composed the tune for the 'turkish delight' advertisement in 1981, the theme tune for Good Morning Britain in 1982 on TV-am, and composed additional music for the 1984 album Beyond the Planets, Kevin Peek and Rick Wakeman's progressive rock reworking of Holst's orchestral suite.

In 1992 Jeff Wayne released Spartacus, his first major release since The War of the Worlds. It had many of the ingredients for success: a stellar cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Marillion's Fish; a libretto by Gary Osborne, who had produced most of the haunting lyrics of The War of the Worlds; and a story combining powerful themes of oppression, desperation, love and death. Despite its potential, however, the album was a disappointment both artistically and commercially, with none of the engaging musicality or novel orchestration of The War of the Worlds.

In 1998, Jeff Wayne was involved in producing Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds, a PC computer game including 45 minutes of music from his Musical Version of The War of the Worlds which was re-scored and remixed in a newer electronica style with techno beats.

In 2004, Jeff Wayne and Ollie Record Productions began work on a feature-length animated CGI film version of his Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, slated for release in 2007. The $48 million project will make use of both state-of-the-art CGI and motion capture technology.

In 2005 it was announced that the musical would be going on a UK tour in 2006. The show makes use of a 10-piece band and a 48-piece string orchestra, as well as voice actors, screen projected images and animatronics to recreate the original album on stage. A second UK tour is being planned for December 2007.

In the summer of 2005 following over a year’s work remixing (stereo and surround sound), repackaging and remastering, The War of The Worlds was re-released in the UK and Internationally. The album became one of the big hits of the year occupying 10 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 of the UK Album charts. The new release pushed sales to 3 million double albums in the UK, and approaching 14 million world-wide. It is now in the upper ends of the all-time best selling list since charts began, as well as amongst the elite of the longest running albums in chart history approaching, as of this writing, 300 weeks.

His first television series, The Book of Tennis Chronicles, began broadcasting worldwide in 2005 (distributed by Fox Sports) and parallels the lives and tribulations of the greatest tennis players, and events, set against the most dramatic and quirky moments in world history, starting in 1877 and up to present time. Wayne created and produced the 8 half-hours series as well as scoring its music. The series was Executive Produced by Damian Collier, Jeff Wayne's producing partner.
 

 

Jeff Wayne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


14th September 2007 World Cup winning captains John Eales, David Kirk and Martin Johnson

The All Blacks are underway at the Rugby World Cup in France so we thought it time to get some words of advice from those who have been there and done that. We bring you comment and advice from three legendary rugby players but more importantly all three have held aloft the William Webb Ellis Trophy.
 


7th September 2007 Submarine Engineer Billy McNally

The 571 Nautilus was one famous submarine. The world's first nuclear propelled submarine was also the fastest, setting world records for speed, depth and time under water. The Nautilus also undertook a top secret mission in the 1950's during the height of the cold war. That mission was to travel under the ice cap and across the North Pole, something they successfully achieved. Bill McNally was aboard the Nautilus as an Engineer and tells his story to the HPH.

For more information, visit Billy's own website here.

 

 

 

 


31st August 2007 NZ Explorers/Adventurers Kevin Biggar and Jamie Fitzgerald

These guys don't know when to stop. First it was rowing across the Atlantic, then earlier this year they set out to trek unassisted, pulling their own sleds, across Antarctica to the South Pole and back again. This is surely one of the toughest expeditions anyone can envisage taking on but two down to earth Kiwis did so with typical guts, determination and hard work. To view an interview with Kevin and Jamie on their Polar Trek, click here

 

 

 


24th August 2007 On the Road in Wellington with property developer and owner of the Phoenix Terry Serepisos

To Celebrate the opening weekend of the Hyundai A-League and the first home game for the Wellington Phoenix, we broadcast live from Wellington Merchandise and Licensed Apparel specialists at 256 Lambton Quay, Capital on the Quay. Our guest on the show this week is Wellington businessman and owner of the Wellington Phoenix Terry Serepisos. We discuss why Terry has proven so successful in business and how he has gone about building a sporting franchise.

Terry is described as 'an entrepreneur with a vision', click here for more.

 

 


17th August 2007 Grant Fox

Grant Fox is a former World Cup winning All Black who has gone on to successfully run businesses and act as expert commentator in various areas of the media on the modern game. He will be in France doing just that during the 2007 World Cup. Grant joins us on the show to discuss just what the All Blacks have to cope with and overcome if they are to win the tournament for a second time.

More...

 

 

 

 

 


10th August 2007 Wayne Tempero

Wayne enjoyed a top career in the area of close protection and VIP security. Wayne holds a grade 2 qualification in the discipline of hand-to-hand combat (CQB).
Wayne is the creator of the STAMP system of self-defence. Over the years as a specialist in close protection, Wayne has worked for Royal families including the Royal Family of Brunei (for 8 years), high-level dignitaries, VIP’s and high profile celebrities all over the world.

More...

Remember for all your security needs here in New Zealand, including Executive Protection, the High Performance Hour recommends Ryan Security and Consulting Ltd.

 


3rd August 2007 Samantha Larson

Samantha Larson is an incredible young lady. From America, she somehow finds time to study, learn music, enjoy life like any other teenager - oh, and also she has climbed the 7 summits, the tallest mountain on each of the 7 continents. And she did it all by the age of 18.

Her story is told this week on the Hyundai High Performance Hour, tune in Friday from 3pm but in the meantime check out her incredible climbing diary at www.samanthalarson.com

 

 

 

 

 


27th July 2007 Barbara Kendall

What hasn't been said about this amazing sportswoman? Barbara Kendall has the complete set of medals with gold, silver and bronze from 1992, 1996 and 2000. Now she is gunning for gold again at Beijing following an incredible silver medal performance at the recent World Sailing Championships.

Join us on Friday as we talk to Barbara Kendall about that performance and her preparation for Beijing. Also we discuss how her methods and motivation has changed over time.

Barbara Kendall website

 

 

 

 


20th July 2007 Martin Strel

Martin Strel is a Slovenian swimming sensation. He has swim the length of some of the world's most famous and dangerous rivers and earlier this year took on surely the biggie of them all, the Amazon.

Strel swam day after day after day until he had conquered the 5,280km distance of the river and along the way saw some dangerous and magnificent things and met some wonderful people and cultures. Check out his website for some great images and tune in on Friday for a fascinating interview.

Martin Strel Website

 

 

 

 


13th July 2007 Alain Robert

When he was a child, his heroes were Bonatti, Rébuffat, Desmaison, some of the most famous rock-climbers of all time. Alain Robert was brought up with their lyric, epic adventures. He decided to become a top climber, but his parents did not much appreciate such a desire. He did not want them to find out that he started to learn the rudiments of climbing as a boy scout. He learnt how to move, how to handle the ropes « so as to become a climber like his heroes ». When he was 12, he climbed eight floors, got home by the window as he had forgotten his keys…

Full Alain Robert profile

 

 

 

 


6th July 2007 Tim Cahill

Timothy Joel "Tim" Cahill (born December 6, 1979 in Sydney, Australia) [1] is an Australian football (soccer) player who plays as an attacking central midfielder for the Australian national team and Everton Football Club. He is best known internationally for scoring the first, and then second, goal by an Australian at a FIFA World Cup.

Cahill played as a teenager for Samoa before eventually also convincing FIFA of his right to play for his home country of Australia. His case proved to be a test case for FIFA with a subsequent rule change allowing for players of a young age to play for a second country, provided they meet certain strict eligibility criteria.

Tim's story is an inspirational one as he charts life as an average young Aussie growing up with his dreams of playing on the world stage in the world game.

Full Tim Cahill Profile

 

 


 29th June 2007 Kirk Penney

Kirk Penney has returned to play his basketball for the NZ Breakers in the Australian Basketball League. At 26 he is in his prime and will no doubt head overseas again but the chance to talk with Penney was one not to miss. The Westlake Boys High old boy is one of just two Kiwis to have played in the NBA, the ultimate basketball competition. Penney spoke of his intense desire to be successful in the game from a young age, describing how he knew what he wanted to do in basketball from the age of twelve and from that moment set about doing everything he could to achieve it.

The message from Penney for kids of today was clear. Have your dreams and your goals and don't be afraid of them. Make them challenging, make them daunting but then understand the steps you have to take to fulfill them. Work hard and stay focused, never give up. Cope with the setbacks along the way and never stop learning.

All of which is common to our guests on the show and leaves little surprise as to his success in the game.

Kirk Penney Profile

Position:
Guard
Born: 23/11/80
Height: 1.95m
The NBL Rookie of the Year in 1998, when he helped North Harbour to the final, Penney made his Tall Blacks debut in 1999, the same year he started his outstanding college career with University of Wisconsin. Penney helped the Badgers to NCAA Sweet Sixteen in his senior year and two Big 10 conference titles, and was twice named all-conference. He represented New Zealand at the Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004) Olympics, was the Tall Blacks’ leading scorer, averaging 16.9 points, at the World Championships at Indianapolis in 2002 and again (with 13.7ppg) four years later in Japan. He became the second Kiwi in the NBA when he appeared briefly for the Miami Heat in 2003 and took the court for the LA Clippers the following season. He has since played professionally in Spain, the NBA Development League and with Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. His most recent club is ALBA Berlin.

National Basketball League Regular Season Statistics

Year

Team

G

FGM

FGA

FG%

FTM

FTA

FT%

PTS

PPG

REB

RPG

AST

APG

STL

SPG

BLK

BPG

1998

North Harbour

20

57

109

52.3

9

13

69.2

154

7.7

29

1.5

16

0.8

11

0.55

1

0.05

1999

North Harbour

11

92

192

47.9

75

96

78.1

284

25.8

35

3.2

23

2.1

10

0.91

1

0.09

2000

North Harbour

6

39

78

50.0

15

19

79.0

102

17.0

23

3.8

16

2.7

10

1.67

1

0.17

Total

 

37

188

379

49.6

99

128

77.3

540

14.6

87

2.4

55

1.5

31

0.84

3

0.08

Three-point field goals: 1998: 31-64 (48.4%), 1999: 25-62 (40.3%), 2000: 9-30 (30.0%), Total: 65-156 (41.7%).

National Basketball League Playoff Statistics

Year

Team

G

FGM

FGA

FG%

FTM

FTA

FT%

PTS

PPG

REB

RPG

AST

APG

STL

SPG

BLK

BPG

1998

North Harbour

3

8

13

61.5

2

2

100

23

7.7

2

0.7

2

0.7

-

-

-

-

Career

 

40

196

392

50.0

101

130

77.7

563

14.1

89

2.2

57

1.4

31

0.78

3

0.08

Three-point field goals: 1998: 5-8 (62.5%). Career: 70-164 (42.7%)


Tall Black Statistics

Year

Series

G

FGM

FGA

FG%

FTM

FTA

FT%

PTS

PPG

REB

RPG

AST

APG

STL

SPG

BLK

BPG

2000

Sydney Olympics

6

14

39

35.9

7

8

87.5

39

6.5

7

1.2

3

0.5

1

0.17

-

-

2001

Goodwill Games

5

27

63

42.9

12

20

60.0

74

14.8

14

2.8

10

2.0

2

0.40

1

0.20

2002

Hungary

5

40

83

48.2

10

13

76.9

107

21.4

19

3.8

7

1.4

8

1.60

-

-

2002

Europe & Canada

7

53

114

46.5

20

29

69.0

144

20.6

23

3.3

8

1.1

8

1.14

2

0.29

2002

World Championships

9

51

125

40.8

30

38

78.9

152

16.9

32

3.6

18

2.0

8

0.89

-

-

2003

Australia (Oceania Championships)

3

14

46

30.4

4

6

66.7

41

13.7

17

5.7

5

1.7

-

-

-

-

2004

Turkey & Bulgaria

4

22

44

50.0

9

14

64.3

60

15.0

7

1.8

1

0.3

4

1.00

-

-

2004

Athens Olympics

6

25

61

41.0

4

7

57.1

68

11.3

17

2.8

2

0.3

6

1.00

-

-

2005

Australia Four-Nations

3

15

38

39.5

2

4

50.0

42

14.0

7

2.3

1

0.3

3

1.00

-

-

2005

Australia (Oceania Championships)

3

6

27

22.2

2

2

100

19

6.3

9

3.0

1

0.3

3

1.00

-

-

2006

Australia

3

16

26

61.5

7

10

70.0

46

15.3

4

1.3

3

1.0

-

-

-

-

2006

Brazil

4

34

53

64.2

14

16

87.5

98

24.5

13

3.3

5

1.3

7

1.75

1

0.25

2006

Super Four, Argentina*

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2006

Qatar

2

12

29

41.4

6

6

100

32

16.0

1

0.5

1

0.5

1

0.50

-

-

2006

World Championships

6

28

65

43.1

13

17

76.5

82

13.7

14

2.3

4

0.7

2

0.33

-

-

Three-point field goals: Sydney Olympics 4-14 (28.6%), Goodwill Games 8-29 (27.6%), Hungary 17-38 (44.7%), Europe & Canada 18-46 (39.1%), World Championships 20-44 (45.5%), 2003 Australia 9-28 (32.1%), Turkey & Bulgaria 7-16 (43.8%), Athens Olympics 14-43 (32.6%), Australia Four-Nations 10-25 (40.0%), 2005 Australia 5-16 (31.3%), 2006 Australia 7-9 (77.8%), Brazil 16-27 (59.3%), Qatar 2-16 (12.5%), 2006 World Championships 13-36 (36.1%).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 22nd June 2007 Dean Salthouse

Join us as we explore the great mystery and drama that is the Americas Cup. Dean Salthouse joins us to shed some light on this oldest of sporting competitions, on the eve of the final getting underway in Valencia.

Dean Salthouse Bio:

Dean is the youngest of Bob Salthouses’s three sons and was the only one to follow in his dad's foot steps by completing a Boat Building apprenticeship. Dean completed his apprenticeship at Mitchell Products as a marine cabinet maker working on production boats such as the Formula 4000, Young 88 and Young 11’s as well as the Mark II Corsairs in their early stages. Although none of Dean’s brothers chose boat building, both worked in marine related industries with Rob sailing full time and sail making and Don selling boats. The conversation around the dinner table was never far away from boats.

Sailing has also played a major role in Dean’s life including successfully completing three Sydney to Hobart’s, a Fastnet as well as many years of match racing. The boys all grew up above the boat yard in Greenhithe with Bob and his brother John working hard together building up what was then Salthouse Brothers Ltd.

In 1984 Bob and John parted company and Bob’s family moved from Greenhithe to Milford and Salthouse Corsair’s Ltd was founded. The MKI had already been in production for some years and with a clever re-design, a new deck mould was produced eight inches of beam was added along with a new hull mould. As a school boy Dean can remember helping laminate the hull mould after school in Porana Road Glenfield. These modifications resulted in the birth of the MK II with the aft cabin or flybridge options.

On completing his apprenticeship Dean joined Salthouse Corsairs Ltd (now Salthouse Marine Ltd). Dean worked on the MK II Corsair, Coastal 32 and Corsair Caprice. In 1993 Dean’s wife Treena and his brother Don joined the business. Treena managed all aspects of the Administration side of the business and Don managed Sales and Marketing. Not long after this it was decided to change the direction of the business and focus on building bigger boats. Dean built the deck plug for the 50’ mould, flybridge and hard top moulds and also worked in all aspects of boatbuilding, from laminating, cabinet making to Production manager.

When Dean left Salthouse Marine in 2000 the Salthouse 60 was in full production and being exported to Australia. After leaving Dean sailed professionally in Europe. On returning home he worked at Cookson Boats and helped build the America’s Cup boats for Team New Zealand. He also worked as a commentator for 1ZB with Rod Slater during the America’s Cup.

Dean Salthouse Next Generation Boats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 15th June 2007 Moss Burmester

Our leading swimmer on the World Stage with Commonwealth Games gold and World Championship medals to his credit, Moss Burmester has just returned from a 3 week training camp with none other than swimming legend (already) Michael Phelps. Tune in as Burmester talks of his time in camp and lets us know if he picked up on any new training tips or indeed gave Michael any advice!

If you have a question or comment for Moss, email it through to hph@hph.co.nz and we will put a selection of questions to him on Friday.

Hastings born Burmester first appeared on the international stage at the 2002 Commonwealth Games before going on to win gold in the 200m butterfly and bronze in the 100m butterfly in 2006.

 


8 June 2007  Ironman Cameron Brown.

A multiple winner of the NZ Ironman at Taupo, Cameron Brown is truly a New Zealand sporting icon. His athletic deeds are matched by his humble and honest nature. Brown has been forced to return home to New Zealand from his European base due to injury but will take time out to join the High Performance Hour on Friday to talk with host Andrew Dewhurst.

Cameron will also take your calls and questions on the sport of triathlon, training and aiming to win Hawaii.

Click here for Cameron Brown's website.
 


1 June 2007  Ultra Marathon Man Dean Karnazes.

Nominated by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people, Dean is so much more than a long distance runner. He is passionate about good healthy living and is a highly sought after and respected motivational speaker and author. Dean is one of a rare group of people to have appeared on the High Performance Hour more than once .

Dean spoke about the ability for all people to chase their dreams and pursue their passion - if they put their mind to it. He said he is not unusual physically but is very strong mentally, something that allows him to endure and indeed enjoy the long hours running on his own either in training or races.

A man who stumbled across long distance running as a result of an early mid life crisis, he is now regarded world wide as the ultimate long distance runner.

For more information visit his website www.ultramarathonman.com




 


25 May 2007  Hans Jeppe Boel Tholstrup

Born 8 November 1945, Denmark
Educated in Denmark
Reborn Darwin, Australia 1965

After creating the World’s first Solar car in 1981 Hans became known as a futurist:
he was previously known as an adventurer, and a very big user of finite fossil fuel.

Having seen Europe on a bicycle and moped, he hitchhiked to Australia. In Darwin and the NT he worked as a Jackaroo (cowboy), mine worker, Ambulance, Road Train, Bulldozer driver ending as buffalo shooter, what he calls growing up Australian style.

His family had started the LPG business in Europe; working in the LPG industry he made the money to start motor racing. His mother’s side of the family started the Danish Blue, the father’s side also has a small cheese business now the famous Blue Castillo.

Hans’ desire also to do something “first” led to an open-boat journey around Australia. He soon racked up the following achievements:

First open boat around Australia. Longest outboard motor journey – Mercury
First single-handed crossing of Australia, furthest point west
First Motorcycle Crossing East West – Yamaha
First single handed flight around the World no Navigator/autopilot, smallest airplane
Fastest top of Europe to bottom of Africa
Fastest around the World Motorcycle – BMW
First Truck across the center of Australia, 1500km shortcut Perth Townsville - MAN
First Double Decker Bus to jump 25 motorcycles. Dick Smith as Conductor. Irish joke.
First to walk across the Simpson Desert, alone. To lose weight.
First Solar car across a continent. Larry Perkins
First open boat Australia to Japan, and outboard motor journey. Haines Signature&Honda
First to exceed 2000km on a tank (40L) in a standard production car
First to drive from Brisbane to Melbourne on a tank (40 litres)
First SUV Adelaide – Sydney on a tank (75 L) & first Caravan Melb-Sydney - Hyundai.
IEA – International Energy Agency 2006 personal Award for outstanding commitment to Electric and Hybrid vehicle developments.

Hans devoted 15 years to the World Solar Challenge before selling it to the SA Government - an event created by the first solar car trip. That was in turn created by the economy driving of the 1970s oil crises. It also led to the Truck Economy run.

Hans continues to be a practising futurist, as the world has a constant energy crises because oil is a finite; running out of oil is a far greater disaster facing the people of earth than greenhouse gas, as it presently takes 20 calories of oil to get each calorie into our mouth.

Says Hans “The world needs to use today’s finite fossil fuel to create a sustainable future for the numbers of people already born. Sadly it was pleasant and far more popular to have been an adventurer, something we are all born as, than to be reminding people of the future, and our responsibility to the children of today, who are the future.”
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


18 May 2007  Michael Clarke already boasts a possibly unique claim to fame in Australian cricketing folklore: he was anointed as his country's next captain before he'd played a single Test. When he made his debut and a thrilling 151 against India at Bangalore his future looked even brighter than the yellow motorbike he received as the Man of the Match. The amazing ride continued with another stunning century on his home welcome at the Gabba, and his first Test season ended with the Allan Border Medal. Then came the fall.

Barely a year after his debut he was scuffing his feet around Hobart's Bellerive Oval while receiving a call from Trevor Hohns that ended his starburst at 20 Tests. A streak of 531 runs without a century through series against Pakistan, New Zealand, England, the World XI, and West Indies led to his demotion and a desire "to tighten his technique", especially in the early stages against the swinging ball. An unbeaten 201 for New South Wales in the Pura Cup was a brave and swift response, but while he remained a one-day fixture he had to wait until the low-key series against Bangladesh to reclaim his Test place. Three muted innings forced him and his supporters to look to the Ashes to re-determine his international worth. He wasn't meant to play at all, but when Shane Watson tore his hamstring in the lead-up to the first Test Clarke was re-installed and showed his maturity during a stunning series. The flamboyant edges were curved - and usually curbed - and the tinkered outlook brought him 389 runs at 77.80. A century at Adelaide secured his spot, a follow-up hundred in Perth confirmed his future and by the end of the summer he was named vice-captain of the one-day side, although a hip problem ruined his immediate leadership aspirations.

Until his dropping in 2005 Clarke was a ravishing shotmaker with an unshakeable temperament. He did not so much take guard as take off. His arrival was typically the cue for a string of wristy, audacious flashes through the offside. All the while he radiated a pointy-elbowed elegance reminiscent of a young Greg Chappell or Mark Waugh, who, like Clarke, waited long and uncomplainingly for a Test opening and then marked the occasion with a century. Unlike Chappell and Waugh, who learned the ropes in domestic and county cricket, Clarke cut his teeth in Australia's one-day side. His impact in pyjamas was startling: he racked up 208 runs in four games before he was finally dismissed, and after 100 matches averages in the mid-40s at a strike-rate hovering in the 80s. His bouncy fielding and searing run-outs, usually from square of the wicket, add to his run-value, while his left-arm tweakers cajole important breakthroughs, and they also dropped six surprised Indians in the second innings of his fourth Test at Mumbai.

A cricket nut since he was in nappies, Clarke honed his technique against the bowling machine at his dad's indoor centre. Affably down-to-earth, he is meticulous about his hair - it is blond and always looks freshly showered - and adores fast cars. He is proudly patriotic too, wearing an Australian flag on the back of his bat in his early internationals, and before he played a Test he signed a record-breaking A$1.25million deal with Dunlop-Slazenger. "On captaining Australia, I'd love to," he commented early in 2004. "It's another goal and something I'll have to work hard for." He worked hard for his first Test hundred, but made it and the following one against New Zealand look stunningly easy. A future star transformed into a genuine one, but it was not until the 2006-07 Ashes that he proved he was ready for the long haul.

Clarke was a key contributor in the 2007 ICC World Cup winning Australian side and joined the HPH courtesy of Slazenger.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


11 May 2007 Greg Murphy is one of the world's leading touring car drivers. The Kiwi from Havelock North has forged for himself a great reputation and a CV to match anyone in the sport. In particular he has dominated Bathurst like only the very legends have done. 'Murph' as he is known by all who follow the sport, has an amazing four victories over 'the mountain'.

A passionate Kiwi and at times outspoken competitor, he knows what is required to win on the big day and joins us on the High Performance Hour to explain, how to win Bathurst.

Greg Murphy
#51 Tasman Motorsport Holden Commodore VE
Date of Birth :Wednesday, 23 August 1972
Birthplace :Hastings, NZ
Resides :Melbourne, Vic
Nickname :Murph
Height :178 cm
Weight :75 kg

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Having successfully travelled the traditional route to V8 Supercars via karting and open-wheelers, scoring impressive results every step of the way, colourful Kiwi Greg Murphy offers it all behind the wheel.

Entering his first year with Tasman Motorsport's squad based in Melbourne, Murphy is still hungry for that elusive V8 Supercar crown.

Four Bathurst victories – 1996, ’99, ’03 and ‘04 – coupled with Murphy’s often outspoken, but easy-going, approachable nature, have also made him a firm favourite with both the media and race fans.

A sporting ‘God’ in his native New Zealand, Murphy has won the Pukekohe round ‘across the Tasman’ an amazing four out of five times, including last year where he took his first win in Supercheap Auto colours.

After initially coming to Australia to race Formula Holden open-wheelers, Murphy caught the eye of the Audi Sport Australia team run by Brad Jones Racing and spent 1995 and 1996 driving works Audi Quattro A4s for the team in addition to driving with Craig Lowndes for the Holden Racing Team in the Sandown and Bathurst endurance events.

Murphy teamed with Lowndes to win the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 in 1996 before taking over the Mobil Commodore to win a two-round series at Pukekohe and Wellington in New Zealand.
Bathurst 1000 Stats
Debut: 1994 (Toyota Carina with James Kaye)
Starts: 13
Poles: 1 (2003)
Wins: 4 (1996, 1999, 2003, 2004)
Championship Results
1997, Holden Racing Team, Holden Commodore VS: 4th
1998, Holden Racing Team, Holden Commodore VT (1 round): 30th
1999, Wynns/Gibson Motorsport, Holden Commodore VT: 6th
2000, Kmart/Gibson Motorsport, Holden Commodore VT: 6th
2001, Kmart Racing, Holden Commodore VX: 4th
2002, Kmart Racing, Holden Commodore VX: 2nd
2003, Kmart Racing, Holden Commodore VX/VY: 2nd
2004, Kmart Racing, Holden Commodore VY: 4th
2005, Supercheap Auto Racing, Holden Commodore VZ: 11th
ATCC/V8 Supercar Championship Series Stats
Debut: 1997 Calder Park (Rd 1)
Starts: 109
Wins: 11
Podium Finishes: 33
Poles: 12
Other Career Highlights
Bathurst 1000 - 1996/99, 03/04: Winner
Bathurst 24-Hour - 2003: Winner
Sandown 500 - 1996/97: Winner
V8 International, Pukekohe NZ - 2001/02/03/05: Winner
V8 Supercar Series - 2002, 2003: Runner-up
Le Mans 24 Hour (GT2 Class) - 1996: 2nd
NZ Formula Holden/Formula Brabham – 1994/95: Winner
NZ Gold Star Drivers’ Championship - 1994: Winner
Australian Drivers’ Championship - 1994: Runner-up
2005 Performance
V8 Supercar Championship Series: 11th
Round 2, PlaceMakers V8 International Pukekohe: 1st
Round 11, Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge: 2nd
Round 8, Oran Park, NSW: 3rd
Round 4, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW: 3rd
Round 13, BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island: 4th
 

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Murphy in action at Bathurst for the K-Mart Racing Team. Murphy now races for Tasman Motorsport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


5 May 2007  Graeme Obree is one of the more complicated and inspiring stories you can ever hope to hear. In 2005 the High Performance Hour team was privileged to interview Obree about his story, primarily as per his book The Flying Scotsman. That book and that story has now made the big screen with the film of the same name. Twice a world champion, many times a world record holder - including the famous and most challenging one hour cycling record, Obree is also a man who has had to face his share of demons. Depression was a constant companion through much of his early life and incredibly, he would deal with the depths of despair while setting his world records and winning his world championships.

This is a great story, one we are proud to bring you again on the show this season to coincide with the cinema release of the film The Flying Scotsman. Listen also for a review of the film on Friday's show.

Graeme Obree Bio
(B. September 11 1965) is a Scottish racing cyclist who, in July 1993, broke the world Hour record, previously held for nine years by Francesco Moser, with a distance of 51.596 kilometres. The record lasted less than a week, being broken by his long term cycling rival Englishman Chris Boardman, but Obree re-took the record in April 1994. He was also Individual pursuit World Champion in 1993 and 1995.
Domestically, he also broke the British 10-mile individual time trial record in 1993, won the RTTC 50-mile championship the same year (setting a new competition record of 1:39:01 in the process), and won the 25-mile championship in 1996.


Innovative riding position and bike layout
Obree's achievements were seen as remarkable since his riding had been largely amateur till then, and he did not have large scale sponsorship and development support, unlike other professional cyclists of the day. Instead, he developed a unique riding position (the 'crouch', or 'tuck' position) and constructed a unique bike frame to use.

His aim was to reduce wind resistance and instability, while increasing pedalling power. He reduced air resistance from the legs by designing a very narrow bottom bracket and dispensing with a top tube. He placed the handlebars so that his shoulders were almost touching them, with his arms folded by his side as he cycled: this reduced air resistance on his head and torso. The seat was placed so that his legs exerted maximum force on the pedals. The front fork had only one blade, carefully shaped to be as narrow as possible. He called his bike 'Old Faithful'. Although he made his first (failed) hour record attempt on a similar carbon fiber frame, Obree used 'Old Faithful' to break the hour record.

Personal achievements
His Hour record, achieved on 17 July 1993 at the Hamar velodrome in Norway, was celebrated as a triumph for the ordinary rider, for the outsider over the establishment. His was said to be a triumph of art over science in cycling, and opened up new areas for development in coming years.

In addition to the mechanical and aerodynamic advantages, he had tremendous commitment and stamina. For example, when his first attempt at the Hour record was unsuccessful, he wanted to try again immediately. Normally, weeks of recovery are needed after such a demanding effort, but he was allowed to try the next day, and was successful.

After Boardman had broken Obree's Hour record, Obree travelled to the Velodrome du Lac in Bordeaux, France and on 27 April 1994, exceeded Boardman's distance, riding 52.713 km. This world record lasted until the following September when it was broken by Miguel Indurain.

Setbacks
His brother died suddenly in 1994, and Graeme slid in and out of depression over the coming years. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI, the world governing body for cycling), after his second Hour World record in 1994, changed the rules for bike layout. His bike and riding position were effectively banned: he did not find out about this unwritten rule change until one hour before he began the World Championship pursuit race in Italy.

Nevertheless, Obree went on to develop another new riding position, the 'superman' style, where his arms were fully extended in front as he rode, and he went on to win the World pursuit championship with this and his 'Old Faithful' in 1995. However, this riding position was also later banned by the UCI, on grounds that human effort and skill are more significant than technological advance. The bike is now a permanent exhibit in the Museum of Scotland, in Edinburgh

Illness prevented Obree making much further progress in his sport. After several breakdowns he started a business manufacturing handlebars suitable for the 'superman' riding position. This collapsed when the UCI banned the position.

He published his autobiography in 2003 entitled The Flying Scotsman. A film based on the book premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2006, starring Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Boyd. On November 16th, it was announced that MGM bought worldwide distribution rights and would release the movie in the US on December 29th, a UK release is scheduled for July 2007.

Present Day
He lives quietly with his wife and two children near Irvine, in Scotland. However, he continues to race occasionally, competing in individual time trials for Ayrshire-based Fullarton Wheelers cycling club. In May 2005, he crashed during a rainstorm in the national 10-mile individual time trial championship near Nantwich in Cheshire. He was a member of the winning three-man club squad that took the team title in the Scottish 10-mile time trial championships in May 2006. [1]

 

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20 April 2007 Join us for a fascinating interview with a lady who has created for herself her own niche in the adventure world. Christine Dennison runs Mad Dog Expeditions (see link bottom left), a company that will tailor make a dive trip of a lifetime for you or your company. Whether it is diving the arctic, the famous wrecks of the world or believe it or not - the Amazon, yes Mad Dog Expeditions can take you to places you never dreamed of diving. We explore why you would want to do this and discuss the setting up of Mad Dog Expeditions.

From their website:

Mad Dog Expeditions is a unique company within the adventure and dive industries. We first ventured into the uncharted waters of extreme diving on a self supported expedition to the Canadian High Arctic in the summer of 1994. In the 13 years that have followed we have been Heli-diving in Papua New Guinea, under crystal ceilings of Arctic Ice, diving with Pink Boto dolphins in the Amazon's Rio Negro and explored countless historic ship wrecks around the world.

We are established pioneers and logistical experts in the world of adventure diving and adventure expeditions.

Our world class team of professionals apply a constant incorporation of technology and educational components in all of our expeditions making them unique and unlike any offered in the industry.

Every destination offers as much to see underwater as above water. Whether you choose to participate as a dive team member or non-diver, we are confidant that you will emerge enriched with a once in a lifetime experience. We can't always promise 5 star luxuries, but we do promise 5 star adventure.

We invite you to join us on our "Quest For Knowledge, Thirst For Adventure"
 

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13 April 2007 Iconic New Zealand triathlete Hamish Carter joins us on Friday as we kick off another great season of the Hyundai High Performance Hour. Hamish is renowned the world over as one of the greatest athletes the sport of triathlon has ever seen. His disappointment in Sydney was soon forgotten as he strode to victory in a remarkable one two New Zealand finish in Athens, consigning Bevan Docherty to the silver medal. The interview was a fascinating insight into the making of an Olympic Gold Medalist and how the pain that he endured in Sydney led indirectly to the joy in Athens.


 

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10 November 2006 Australian Chris McCormack or Macca as he is affectionately known, is one of the most affable athletes in the sport of triathlon. Chris entered the professional triathlon circuit in 1996, as an inexperienced rookie, but rapidly rose to success only eight months after his debut, taking the World No. 1 position and destroying arguably the greatest field ever assembled in triathlon history, to win both the 1997 Triathlon World Championships and the 1997 ITU World Cup Series. This gutsy, determined display recorded Macca as the first male triathlete to ever win both titles (the double) in the same year.

With a huge heart, the biggest smile in triathlon and an ever-blossoming fan club, McCormack has stamped himself as one of the fiercest forces in triathlon. With one of the best resumes in the sports history, Macca owns almost every triathlon title available and holds more international titles than any triathlete in history. (at last count McCormack has won over 130 triathlon races globally - at all distances) When he is not training, the University Graduate enjoys surfing and relaxing with family and friends .

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3 November 2006 One of our most popular and interesting interviews was from NZ tennis star Chris Lewis. Lewis talks of his 1983 achievement in making it to the final of Wimbledon, in particular focusing on the semi final win over Kevin Curren, a match that is still regarded as the greatest ever to be played on centre court. Lewis is a deep thinker and has many lessons and pieces of good advice for people from all walks of life, let alone tennis.

 

 

27 October 2006 Pinnacle Programme General Manager Ian Miles joined us to update the programme and its objectives. We were also joined by young Pinnacle Programme athletes Andrew Murdoch and Andrea Fountain to discuss the benefits they had already experienced and those they were hoping to learn through Pinnacle. The show proved a fascinating insight into the lives and hopes of young aspiring Olympic athletes and just what Pinnacle can do for them.

 


20 October 2006 Ironman legend and our very own Erin Baker joined us on the show to discuss 'How to Conquer Kona'. On the eve of the Hawaii Ironman at the legendary Kona course, Baker provided wonderful insight and first hand experience of what it takes to win at this mysterious and at times unforgiving venue. Baker spoke of the need for preparation, experience and mind over matter to conquer not only the course and conditions but your own doubts on race day. Great show from a Kiwi and world sporting sporting icon!

 

 

13 October 2006 A dip into the considerable Hyundai High Performance Hour archive with a replay of the fascinating interview from 2004 with World Champion and technology pushing cyclist Graham Obree. Obree is a wonderfully intricate and complicated person let alone an elite athlete and innovator famous for his 'superman' riding style. His book 'The Flying Scotsman' is a must read for all sports fans. A truly riveting interview that received great feedback from repeat and first time listeners!

 

 

6 October 2006 English football legend Alan Shearer joined us on the show today with an exclusive interview talking about his wonderful career in the English Premiership and with the national team. Shearer is the Premiership's all time leading scorer and scored a goal every two games for England. He was also England captain on many occasions and spent the final 10 years of his career at his beloved Newcastle, where he went on to break Jackie Milburn's all time scoring record, ending with over 200 goals for the club he followed and grew up watching in Newcastle.

 


29 September 2006 Rodney Fox. Fox has the unenviable and yet good record of having survived the worst ever shark attack not to end in a fatality. Back in 1963 Fox was attacked and left for dead, somehow surviving his horrific injuries to not only tell the tale but to establish a successful shark and marine expedition company. He is renowned for marine films and advances in understanding sharks, in particular great whites. A truly amazing tale from an amazing survivor. Check out Rodney Fox at http://www.rodneyfox.com.au/  

 

1st September  2006 Jon Ackland took calls on any high performance or training issue and the reception was great with the phones busy during the hour. Jon is of course a renowned high performance trainer and advises people the world over on how to achieve in their chosen event or sport. For those looking for a more detailed training programme or advice, contact Jon and his team at Performance Lab, you can link to their website via HPH under SPONSORS.

 


25 August  2006 Alain was a superb guest with his tales of early years spent climbing cliff faces around France and the world. Despite a major fall and a long list of injuries (he was assessed at 60% disabled) he continued to climb and eventually began his attack on the tallest, toughest and most difficult buildings worldwide. He knows no fear or more to the point knows how to overcome it. For Alain it is also about minimising risk and ensuring that he does not fall ever again. Easy to say but tough to understand when you watch video clips of Alain climbing with apparent ease knowing one slip could prove fatal. For further information visit his website www.alainrobert.com
 

28 July  2006 CAPTAIN MCLAREN JOINS THE HYUNDAI HIGH PERFORMANCE HOUR

Our guest over the next two weeks is none other than Captain (retired) Alfred McLaren of the US Navy and current President Emeritus of the Explorers Club.

Captain Mclaren's CV is quite considerable - read on for more.

With over 20 cold war missions behind him, many more expeditions and missions in nuclear submarines and years of dedication to the science of the polar regions and global warming, Captain McLaren is a font of knowledge and a delight to listen to.

Over the two episodes that the Captain will be with us, we concentrate on just two of his feats, both are diving to wrecks but both of a very different nature.

In 1999 Captain McLaren first dove to the wreck of the Titanic, something he was to repeat with shocking results in 2003. Be sure to listen to his incredibly personal and at times emotional account of his dives to the most famous ship wreck of them all.

The second episode with Captain McLaren is another dive to another wreck but one that proves altogether different. In 2001 Captain McLaren was a member of the very first manned dive to the wreck of the German warship Bismarck. Listen to a wonderful walk back through history as the fate of the Bismarck is described and more harrowing, the sight of her hulking frame as she sits beneath the ocean now.

Don't miss these great episodes with one of our great explorers and advocates for the earth and its preservation. Captain Alfred McLaren on the Hyundai High Performance Hour Friday 28th July and Friday 4th August 2006.

For further information about the Explorers Club and it's exclusive list of members worldwide, visit www.explorers.org

ALFRED SCOTT McLAREN Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Ph.D. President Emeritus, The Explorers Club

Captain Alfred S. McLaren is currently President Emeritus of The Explorers Club, a nonprofit corporation founded in 1904 to promote scientific exploration and field research. He has served as President (1996-2000), a Director, Vice President for Chapters, Vice President for Membership, and as publisher of The Explorers Journal. In 2000 he received The Explorers Club's Lowell Thomas Medal for Ocean Exploration. From 1991 to 1996 he was President of Science Service, Inc., a nonprofit corporation dedicated to furthering public understanding of science. In this capacity he directed the Westinghouse Science Talent Search and the International Science and Engineering Fair and was publisher of the weekly magazine, Science News. Between 1991 and 1995, he also served as an adjunct research professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University and as principal investigator on global change research grants from both NSF and NOAA. From 1983 through 1991, he was at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he was a research professor at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and an associate professor in the Department of Geography. From 1986 through 1991 he was one of five co-principal investigators on a large Office of Naval Research University Initiative five-year grant for Arctic Ocean-Atmosphere-Ice Systems Studies. His identification of late summer ice velocity reversal in the Beaufort Gyre, subsequently called the "Arctic finding of the decade," resulted in his being recommended for an Office of Naval Research Scientific Achievement Award. He was honored as "A Leader in Science" by The Scientist magazine in 1994. His area of scientific research is the role of the Polar Regions in global climate change. He is the author of over 50 research papers in scientific professional journals.

Captain McLaren received his Ph.D. in the Physical Geography of the Polar Regions from the University of Colorado Boulder, a M.Phil. in Polar Studies from Cambridge University, England, and a M.S. in International Affairs from George Washington University. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Naval War College, and the U.S. Navy Major Shore Commanders Course, Captain McLaren was among the first 100 selected by Admiral H.G. Rickover to attend the newly inaugurated Nuclear Power School.

As a naval officer, Captain McLaren made three Arctic expeditions on nuclear attack submarines, one on board the USS Seadragon (SSN-584) during the first submerged transit of the Northwest Passage; two others were on the USS Queenfish (SSN-651): a Baffin Bay cruise and a North Pole expedition that included the first and only survey under ice of the entire Siberian Continental Shelf (2,600 nm). He commanded the Queenfish during the latter expedition and for a total of four years. He was subsequently honored, in 1983, with the Societe de Geographic Paris' Silver Medal for Polar Exploration and La Medaille de la Ville De Paris (Echelon Argent).

A veteran of more than 20 Cold War submarine operations, Captain McLaren's awards as a Cold War submarine captain include: the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation's highest peacetime award; two Legions of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and four Navy Unit Citations. Other tours of duty included the destroyer Gregory (DD-802), diesel-electric attack submarine Greenfish (SS-351), nuclear attack submarines Skipjack (SSN-585) and Greenling (SSN-614), the U.S. Naval War College (student and instructor), Submarine Development Group Two, Staff Commander Submarine Forces Pacific, and Commanding Officer of a major Department of Defense scientific laboratory, the U.S. Naval Underwater Systems Center. He retired as a Captain (O-6) in 1981.

Captain McLaren has been a frequent lecturer, in recent years, on voyages to the North Pole, the Canadian, Greenlandic and Russian Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Antarctic, the Black, Red, White, and Mediterranean Seas; the Indian Ocean, the coast of South America, the outer isles of Great Britain, and the Russian Far East. He completed lengthy dives during 1999 to both R.M.S. Titanic and the Rainbow Hydrothermal Vents near the Azores, using the deep diving Russian MIR submersibles. He also served during the summer of 2000 as a team leader and lecturer during a series of dives off British Columbia, using the Canadian built Aquarius and Dual Deep Worker 350 submersibles and ROVs, in search of the giant octopus and rare six-gill shark.

During June 2001, Captain McLaren participated as a diver in "The First Manned Dives to the German battleship Bismarck," using the deep-diving Russian MIR submersibles to depths of almost 4,800 meters beneath the sea. He returned to the Bismarck wreck site during July/early August 2002, making a second dive as part of an "Operation Bismarck" team, which completely filmed the warship wreck site using high definition TV cameras. In February 2003, following successful completion of training at world's first Underwater Flight School in the Bahamas, he became the first deep-sea explorer to be licensed as a "Pilot in Command" of submersible designer and builder Graham Hawkes' new high performance "winged" submersible Deep Flight Aviator.

During July of 2003 Captain McLaren returned to the wreck of R.M.S. Titanic as a diver and lecturer on "Operation Titanic." He participated in dives at the Nine Degrees North hydrothermal vents in the Pacific during September of 2003 and in May of 2004 he participated, as a "Pilot in Command" of the Deep Flight Aviator submersible during a series of marine science related expeditions throughout the Sea of Cortez. During 2006 and 2007, as Chief Pilot of the revolutionary new submersible, he will be part of a team that plans to use its myriad capabilities for oceanographic research in the Sea of Cortez, Mediterranean, and Black Seas.

Captain McLaren is a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America and the Explorers Club. He is also a member of the Oxford and Cambridge Club, the Arctic Club of Cambridge, the Peterhouse Society, the Cambridge Society, the Societe Arctique Francaise de Paris, the American Geophysical Union, The National Geographic Society, the Canadian Arctic Circle Society, The New York Academy of Science, and The U.S. Naval Institute. He is an instrument-rated private pilot and SCUBA qualified.

His first book, Unknown Waters, A First-Hand Account of the Historic Under-Ice Survey of the Siberian Continental Shelf, By USS Queenfish (SSN-651) has just been accepted for publication by the University of Alabama Press.


Sarah Ulmer – Olympic Gold Medal winning cyclist on The Perfect Ride

Richard Noble - Thrust goes supersonic on land!

Tawera Nikau – Inspirational League player on Winning the NRL

Phillippe Petit - The Artistic Crime

Joe Kittinger – Legendary balloonist on his Jump from the Sky

John Walker – Olympic champion and world record holder on Running for Gold

Kevin Roberts – World business leader on Love What you Do

Dr Denis Waitley – World leading motivational speaker

Garth Gilmour - Master Author of Arthur Lydiard’s biography

Gavin Menzies – Author of 1421 – how the Chinese discovered the world

Barry Maister and Dick Quax – Olympians on how to win

Martin Johnson – World Cup winning English rugby captain on Winning Rugby

General Chuck Yeager – The man himself on ‘The Right Stuff’

Sir Murray Halberg – Olympic gold medalist on determination and training

Chris Lewis – Wimbledon finalist on finding the zone

Jim Clash - To The Limits

Jan Cameron – World leading swim coach on systems

Phil Tataurangi / Grant Fox – Two global winners on ‘Under Pressure’

Cathy Freeman – World and Olympic champion ‘Running On Air’

Dick Hubbard – Mayor of Auckland and Mr Cereal King

Rob Hamill – how to row 2000 hours across the Atlantic and stay sane

Arthur Lydiard - A Cup of Tea with the legendary endurance coach

Mario Andretti - Motor Racing Legend

Cameron Brown – 5 times NZ Ironman champion

Bill Harrigan – World’s number one rugby league referee ‘The Man in the Middle’

David Kirk – World Cup winning All Black captain on what makes a great team.

Mark Marks – Ground breaking shark sociologist on swimming with sharks

Nathan Fa'ave – World leading adventure racer on ‘The Will to Win’

Mike McRoberts - Into the Danger Zone with a leading news journalist

Suzy Osler – Deep diver Suzy takes us ‘Into the Danger Zone’

Dame Susan Devoy - Dominating the Game from the best squash player in the world

Ken Bradshaw - Condition Black – the day Ken surfed a 90foot monster wave

Steve Ovett – World and Olympic champion talks of ‘For the Love of the Game’

Bear Grylls – British adventurer talks about being ‘On Top of the World’

Peter Snell/John Walker – running legends

Ian Ferguson – Olympic champion on ‘How to win a gold medal’

Buzz Aldrin – He was there and told us all about ‘Man on the Moon’

John Eales – World Cup winning rugby captain on ‘facing the moment and winning’

Rob Waddell – Olympic rowing champion on ‘Preparation Powers Performance’

Grant Dalton - Round the world sailer on ‘Doing it all’

Sir Edmund Hillary – The man who conquered Everest ‘On Top of the World’

Petter Solberg – World Rally Champion on conquering speed

Keith Johnsgard – the Psychology of speed

Sean Fitzpatrick – The greatest All Black Captain?

Craig Baird – motor sport star on how to survive a high speed crash

Henry van Ash – Kiwi entrepreneur on how the bungy revolution started

Ant Williams – Kiwi free dive champion on his underwater world

Paul McDonald – Olympic kayak champion on ‘Commitment to Win’

Ben Fouhy/Darrell Bonnetti – World kayak champion

Aaron Slight – A world champion on two wheels on overcoming adversity

Dean Karnazes – The Marathon Man

Joe Frazier – World Heavyweight boxing champion of the world

Ed Coyle – Physiologist to cycling legend Lance Armstrong on what makes Lance great

Bertrand Piccard – French explorer and adventurer extraordinaire

Bob Jones – one of New Zealand ’s wealthiest businessmen on making money

Dick Taylor – Commonwealth Games 10k champion on winning at home

Steve Gurney – world leading multisport and adventure race athlete

Mahe Drysdale – World rowing champion

Sir Ranulph Fiennes – The Greatest Living Explorer in the World

Graham Obree – The flying Scotsman on innovation and dedication in cycling

Steve Waugh – The greatest cricket captain on the will to win

Barbara Kendall – Olympic sailing legend

 



 

 

 


 

 


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