- Land Rover Discovery celebrates 25 years with first of its kind adventure challenge
- The world's most acclaimed explorers, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hannah White, Kenton Cool and Eric Loizeau compete against each other for the first time ever
- The experienced explorers team with up‑and‑coming adventurers in their bid to be crowned Land Rover's 'Next Generation Explorer'
Whitley, UK, 25 February 2014 ‑ On Sunday 2nd March, Land Rover will bring together four of the world's greatest explorers for an epic mountain adventure. For the first time ever, they will compete against each other as they take part in the search for Land Rover's Next Generation Explorer in the Discovery Adventure Challenge. Marking 25years of the Land Rover Discovery, the celebrated explorers will mentor four promising, young adventurers as they compete in the gruelling six‑part challenge.
Against a backdrop of snow and mountains in Megève France, The Discovery Adventure Challenge will push competitors to the limit over 24 hours of tense, testing tasks. Ben Saunders, who, with partner Tarka L'Herpiniere, recently became the first man ever to complete Scott's notorious Terra Nova Expedition, will compere the competition, whilst Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hannah White, Kenton Cool and Eric Loizeau will get fiercely competitive as they go head to head in the challenges.
The seasoned explorers will be paired with rising adventurer stars from the British Exploring Society, who they will mentor through the physically and mentally demanding tasks. Hannah Wright (aged 21), Cameron Mackay (aged 19), Alex Woodford (aged 22) and Tim Davies (aged 22) will rotate amongst the Ambassadors as they battle it out for the title of 'Next Generation Explorer'. The decision lies with the Global Ambassadors who will cast votes for whom they think deserves the title. The winner will be announced Monday 3rd March.
The challenges:
1) Two Land Rover Discovery XXVs compete side‑by‑side through a slalom course down the slope. Two tense heats, one final.
2) Precision and speed will be tested in the vehicle Biathlon: one team member will drive a Land Rover Discovery XXV around a purpose built course, whilst the other plays marksman, shooting a laser gun at a variety of challenging targets.
3) Physical stamina will be put to the test in this gruelling task: pulling one of Ben Saunders's sleds in a race against time.
4) As night falls the contestants will be tasked with creating a fire from scratch and digging their own snow holes to sleep in.
5) The grand finale will be an all‑out boat race across Lake Geneva.
Jaguar Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director Mark Cameron said, "The Land Rover Discovery has been supporting and inspiring adventurers and adventures since 1989, therefore it's very fitting to celebrate our 25th anniversary with the Discovery Adventure Challenge and a search for the Next Generation Explorer. We are delighted to be partnering with the British Exploring Society for this search and look forward to supporting the winner in their pursuit of becoming an established explorer."
ENDS
For any media wishing to arrange interviews with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hannah White, Kenton Cool and Eric Loizeau, the next generation of explorers, or have requirements for video and/or imagery, please contact Jack Hutchinson, The Brooklyn Brothers, Telephone: 020 7292 6200, Email: jack@thebrooklynbrothers.com
Photography and video assets will be available on the media website following the event at: www.uk.media.landrover.com
Contacts:
Lucy Reynolds
PR Manager, Land
Rover UK
T: 02476
564 161
M: 07801
699928
E:
lreyno25@landrover.com
Kim Palmer
Senior Press
Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476
564 129
M: 07795
666169
E:
kpalmer@landrover.com
Jack Hutchinson, The Brooklyn Brothers
Telephone: 020
7292 6200
Email: jack@thebrooklynbrothers.com
Editors Note:
‑ Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.
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Editors Notes
About the Discovery XXV Limited Edition
The 2014 special‑edition Discovery 4 has been built to commemorate 25 years of Land Rover's iconic family SUV. This special‑edition, limited‑run model comes in a choice of bespoke colours, has distinctive badging and a sophisticated and premium interior lined with Windsor leather. The Discovery XXV Limited Edition is the ultimate in sophisticated versatility and a fitting tribute to the legendary status of this iconic Land Rover.
About The British Exploring Society
British Exploring Society is an educational charity that inspires young people (aged 16‑25) from all backgrounds to unlock their potential through exploration on demanding and scientific expeditions, helping them and society better understand the world around us. All expeditions are to remote wilderness environments in jungle, desert, arctic and mountain regions. For more information, please go to Britishexploring.org
Media contact: Jessica Holland jessica@britishexploring.org
