Icebreaker - Pure Merino

One of the best things about Icebreaker is our relationships with our merino wool growers.  Last weekend I was lucky enough to get invited to spend  some time at Cluden Station with Anna (our New Zealand Corporate Account Manager) and her partner Sam.  We started off by having dinner with some farmers from a neighbouring station.  Incredible company, a  great roast meal and some wine made for a fun night.

Although it rained the entire time I was there, when we made it up to the high country (via a very bumpy and exciting ride in a ute), I saw one of the most incredible sights ever.  It was snowing all around me and when I looked down the mountain it was completely green.  For many people who live near or experience the mountains on a regular basis, this may not be a big deal, but for a “townie” like me it was pretty special.

Lucky for me my IcebreakerGT Base Layer 200 Crew paired with a Superfine LS Hood and topped off with Real Fleece kept me toasty warm in the snow at the top of the mountain.  Sam was kind enough to stop the ute a few times so I could take photos.  I was totally a tourist and very much appreciated the patience of my hosts.

In the high country, the merino sheep were a bit difficult to spot, but thanks to some very skilled and lovable dogs, I was able to see two merino running down the mountain.  It was awesome to see the source of the merino that was keeping me warm in all that snow.

Overall it was a great trip where I learned heaps about what life in the country is like here in New Zealand, and  I was lucky enough to experience some spectacular scenery and hospitality.

- Swave Szymczyk, Global In-Store Marketing Manager

Traveling overseas for work is always a long journey.  I try to always add some extra time at the end of my work trips to experience the country I’m in.  Last year along with fellow workmates, I climbed Mt. Hood in Oregon with Darren and Craig, skied with Heidi at Mt Ruapehu, and hiked Mt. Helene’s with David.  But, the real mountain event was still missing…

New Zealand is the country of my dreams.  Especially the South Island and the Southern Alps as it is a region which offers it all in one (mountains, wild nature, the ocean, great people, wine, and good food).   In my previous trips I visited NZ in winter times only.  I did some mountain biking and hiking with Max, skiing with Heidi, but no mountaineering.  As mountain guide, I decided I would really like to experience climbing in Southern Alps.

When a meeting was set in New Zealand for March, it was clear that finally the chance was here for me.  Even though March is end of the climbing season in the Southern Alps, it was still a good chance to do some mountaineering.  Firstly I tried to find a climbing partner (or partners) within Icebreaker, but everybody had something else to do.  I decided to contact the famous guide organisation Adventure Consultants in Wanaka.  They offered me the possibility to join one of their expeditions.  Before I arrived in NZ, it was not really clear exactly what we would be doing, but all looked promising.

During my stay in Wanaka for work, I got a very positive message from Adventure Consultants “one client has booked a climbing trip to Mt. Aspiring and you can join the trip as a second (shadow) guide.”  This was wonderful news.  I spent a fantastic 5 days climbing Mt. Aspiring and Rolling Pin (small summit beside Mt. Aspiring).  We had great view from the summit of Mt. Aspiring and it took us 2 days in heavy rain to get back to the civilisation.

Now looking back I can say it was definitely one of my best times from working perspective.  And I was lucky to add some extras as usual. (Sea-kayaking, racing in the Mototapu challenge, and climbing the summit of Mt. Aspiring).

Branislav Adamec (Gabo) - General Manager, Icebreaker Eastern Europe

Last weekend 16 of my Icebreaker buddies from around the world and I, took to the Southern High Country to compete in The Motatapu. The Motatapu is one of New Zealand’s premier sporting events consisting of three events; a 15km Mountain run, an Off-Road Marathon or a 50km High Country Mountain Bike race.

The last race I competed in was a 2km cross-country race at my High School, 6 years ago. Needless to say a 15km Mountain race was slightly more than a natural next step. Not one to step down from a challenge I decided to throw myself right in.

Now that I’ve finished, I can say it was one of the most inspiring events I have completed. Despite reaching the halfway point and being yet to start our descent after 680m of vertical climbing, or the 2kms of ice-cold rivers we crossed before reaching the finish line, I look back on the event with fond memories. Running across Shania Twain’s private land, through Glencoe Station, across snow grass, and looking over the Wakatipu basin to the Remarkables was breath-taking both at the time and looking back!

Notable mentions go to Rob Achten who finished third running under the secret identity and race name of Darren Chin, our newest employee Martin Hurych who rode 30km of his first mountain bike race with one pedal and Mélina Holzer who completed her first ever marathon.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit this part of New Zealand and take on The Motatapu - don’t think as long about it as I did! It has totally inspired me to continue the training and compete in the next race that comes my way. I read in the Air NZ Magazine on the flight home that there is a race down South which involves a café stop at halfway. Sounds perfect.

- Kaylee Donald, Icebreaker Global In-Store Coordinator

Cheers to everyone who participated in our “What’s Next to Your Skin?” Vancouver 2010 competition!

Helen Danglmaier from Irdning, Austria, Europe (pictured below), is the lucky winner of the limited edition Icebreaker Whistler ‘10 gear, which includes a set of Bodyfit+, an Icebreaker “Whistler” Toque hat, Skier Mid Socks, the AC Glacier Scarf and the Long Sleeve Chase Crewe.  Nice one Helen!

We received 255 fantastic entries to the competition — from goats to babies to boys and girls in their Nature and Beast knickers (and less). Take a look back at what was submitted here.

Icebreaker was honoured to be the Official Baselayer Sponsor of the New Zealand Winter Olympic Team, and we’re proud of the Kiwi team who competed in Vancouver last month.  We had an awesome wrap up party on Monday.  The band was fantastic and we sold the bar out of beer!  Photos and video to come once Kent Hawkins, our marketing man in Canada, recovers from a chest infection that knocked him out that night (or so he says).

Let us know what you thought of the competition.  We’d like to do again if you’re all up for it?

The Icebreaker NZ team have gone down to the Speight’s Coast to Coast World Multisport Championships this weekend.  Day 1 is underway and the crew are having a blast competing (and supporting) at the race.  The event covers 243km across the Southern Alpine of the South Island in New Zealand and there’s still a long way to go, they’re set for a big weekend.

Our team is doing really well, there’s still even some with smile’s on their faces at the transitions.  A few of the support crew have even managed to rest up with a bit of  rexlexology treatment along the way - lucky!  Big congrats to our first Icebreaker Runner home - NZ Market Manager, Jason Brown!

Go team, we’re behind you 100%!

The Speight’s Coast to Coast traverses the South Island of New Zealand from Kumara Beach on the Tasman Sea to Sumner Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Over either two days (individuals or two person teams) or the one-day event (individuals only), competitors cycle 140 kms (three stages of 55km, 15 km and 70 km), run 36 km (including a 33 km mountain stage that crosses the Southern Alps) and kayak 67kms of the grade two Waimakariri River through the Grand Canyon of New Zealand, the Waimakariri Gorge.  Icebreaker is sponsoring this event in 2010, and a bunch of us are competing.  Here’s an excerpt about the lead up from one of our team members:

So why am I doing the one day Coast to Coast?  Mainly I believe, because it is a fantastic opportunity to learn about myself.  I know that to get there I have to push myself to my physical and mental limits.

So with only weeks separating me and the start line, do I feel ready?  Well yes I think I do, but I am sure there will be some nerves and doubts…  But that is part of why I’m doing it really.  We face challenges because they test us and make us stronger.  In the act of thinking about the question of “am I where I want and need to be?”,  I have to reflect on where I was when I was told I would be on the Icebreaker Team.  I was nowhere fit enough (7kg heavier than I am now), and I had no kayak or decent road bike.  All I really had was a desire to find a new challenge and a giant opportunity.

So now here I am, metaphorically putting the last strokes of the first rapid that we call preparation.  The next rapid is more of the same but longer and I know from experience that to do well in a race, a rapid or life in general you need to be prepared, relaxed and focused on where we are going.  Bring it on!

- Dave Tait, Speight’s Coast to Coast competitor - Team Icebreaker

Not only can former Governor Sarah Palin see Russia, but apparently she can see New Zealand too.

She’s wearing Icebreaker’s Long Sleeve Dash Zip on the cover of Newsweek:

The photo chosen was from a shoot Sarah Palin had participated in for Runner’s World magazine. The top she is wearing is from the Icebreaker GT range.

Our design team is currently photographing our Fall/Winter 10 range in the home of our merino.  They’ve sent us back some stunning images to share with you.  Magic.

Last week the Icebreaker New Zealand team took 40 staff from stores around NZ to Muller Station in Marlborough - 2 groups over 2 nights.  It’s got to be one of the most isolated spots in the country, and easily one of the most serene and stunning because of it.    From Blenheim it’s a 2 ¼ hr drive inland, up the Awatere valley - which our bus driver Ryan told us would be the second largest area of concentrated grapes in the country if it wasn’t defined as being part of Marlborough…

After those 2 hours or so of twisting, turning and gaining almost 900m altitude on the drive, we arrived dusty and tired to Muller Station.  Steve and Mary Satterthwaite and their family hosted us in a most SUPERB fashion…I’m sure we all ate 4 x more than we needed to while we were there, somehow Mary manages to be actively involved in every facet of the station, and be an incredible cook!

Once we were fed and watered it was time to pile onto the back of a huge UniMog 4×4 truck and get some sense of scale to the place.  Well - after a 15 min drive up to a high knoll in the snow, the views were simply awe inspiring, as was the cold!  Steve talked about the station - the size, distances and number of Merino they run (14,000!!), the challenges they face on a daily and seasonal basis, as well as the continued work and effort they put into their stewardship of the land, all 97,000 acres of it.

We met one of his superstar Rams - Maximiser! - and heard about the breeding and selection required to get the best and most hardy Merino, that produce the best fleece for Icebreakers contracts.

Following this (when the sun dipped below the ridge, and the temperature dipped to about -8 degrees C) we were back on the truck bouncing our way back to the station.  Mary showed us around the workings of a Woolshed, describing the roles of the various people who make their livelihoods there.  Woolsheds are simply incredible to see in full action in the spring - and if you ever get the chance to see one going at full steam ahead, you’ll know what I mean.

Back at the homestead for dinner, drinks and the usual IB shenanigans later on - and before we knew it, it was morning again.  Some weary and bleary eyes told the story of the night before…and after some great group discussions it was back down the valley for the first group - and up the valley for the second…   Lisa Thompson (NZ Market General Manager) and I got to do it all over again, and by Wednesday morning we really didn’t want to leave.

Station visits have always been a really effective way for people who sell Icebreaker to get a very real and meaningful connection to the places that are start of the process.  They build their own stories and sense of wonder about the Merino and the Mountains, and the people who run the stations that supply Icebreaker.   Every time I go to a station, I leave with an almost poetic sense of being involved in something that harks back to a true sense of our Kiwi heritage, something unique and yet totally cutting edge, these visits always feels special.

So we’re looking forward to the next Station Visit - who knows exactly where or when they’ll be!

Jem Culpitt - NZ Sales Manager