Coast to Coast Athletes

As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007” and for the first time in the 25 year history of the Speight’s Coast to Coast, the world’s premier multi-sport event, New Caledonians are taking part. Athletes Franck Aita, Christophe Barrielle, Philippe Le Poul, and Olivier Limozin will compete in the "World Multisport Championship One Day Event", 243 km from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean across the Southern Alpine.

Philippe LE POUL

Philippe LE POUL was born in Brittany, a land of wild landscapes, strong traditions and culture. As Philippe says: "The character of Breton people is like the hard weather conditions: you need to be strong and stubborn – also essential qualities when you practise outdoor activities!"

In New Caledonia, Philippe works as Senior Advisor in Regional Cooperation for the government of New Caledonia. His priority is to make the New Caledonian Pacific Games in 2011 the best games the Pacific has ever held.

Philippe is a specialist of outdoor sports activities: kayaking (wild water and sea), rafting, mountain biking, and mountain running. He first discovered kayaking at the age of 6 and starting competing at the age of 9.

In 1981 he participated in the World Kayak Championships (slalom wild water) and in 1992 he was the Training Instructor of the French kayak team for the Olympic Games in Barcelona. He is the winner of several outdoor races including the "Dream Raid" in New Caledonia in 2003 which he won with Olivier Limozin.

He has participated in three Raid Gauloises – in Argentina, South Africa, Nepal, as a team member and rafting specialist. He has also been a member of the Raid Gauloises organisation on five occasions – in New Caledonia, Oman, Madagascar, Equator and Borneo.

Philippe has lived in New Caledonia for 6 years after falling in love with the country during the Raid Gauloises in 1991. He is 44 years old and married, with two children, Morgane 17 and Manon 13.

Philippe’s dream is that everyone becomes conscious to the fact that the environment is the most precious thing in the world. He is fascinated by New Zealand, the greatness of Nature, the history of the free settlers and Maoris.

Olivier LIMOZIN

Olivier LIMOZIN (also known as Olive) was born on 14 December 1966 in Paris. He is a sports teacher and lives in Noumea with his wife who is also a P.E. teacher and a champion in trekking and multi-activity raids.

Olivier has had many victories in trekking and multi-activity raids:

Trans-Calédonienne (coast to coast in New Caledonia – two parts)
Dream-raid (a 4 day trek in New Caledonia with orientation, running, horse-riding, mountain bike and kayak)
Raids B.C.I. (6 to 12 hour race with orientation, running, mountain bike and kayak)

Other sports and hobbies include sailing, spear fishing, swimming, and long treks in the wilderness which he finds are an excellent way to discover remote areas and provide a special feeling of freedom.

His two children (a boy and a girl aged 10 and 8) discovered snow and skiing in Queenstown in 2005. And in November 2006 his son took part in the Auckland Junior Swimming Championships.

Olivier says that New Zealand is very similar to New Caledonia: a vast playing field which he first visited by sea on board "22 Sud", his family yacht (Noumea-Nelson in 12 days).

Franck AITA

Franck Aita was born on 25 September 1970 in Noumea. Since 1999 he has competed in multi-activity raids (running, biking, kayaking). He generally participates in raids as a solo performer or in a team of two.

Friends who were already participating introduced Franck to the sport. The opportunities, through his sport, to visit and discover the wonderful and unknown places and landscapes of his country have inspired him to keep competing.

He has competed throughout New Caledonia, including the Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines, and has won several medals and cups. In the future he plans to continue competing in raids in New Caledonia as well as competing internationally.

He has been to New Zealand just once, in November 2006 for the U2 concert.

Christophe BARIELLE

Christophe Barielle was born on 18 November 1971, in Marseille, France.

His first sport was rowing which he started at the age of 10, teaching himself and learning from friends’ parents, who doubled as coaches. He then took up several other sports including multi-activity raids. He generally competes as part of a team, with anywhere from two to eight in the team.

He enjoys the challenge of sport and likes to give the best performance he can, share the experience with friends, and simply to feel good.

He has competed in New Caledonia and France, winning several medals in the French Rowing Championships.

His plans for the future are to participate in international events, especially the Polynesian Va’a, and to develop kayaking in New Caledonia.

Christophe travelled to New Zealand in 1994 for a holiday, exploring and discovering as much as he could from north to south.