Ussher quits as Coast to Coast director

Coast to Coast race director Richard Ussher is stepping down after February’s famous multisport race - which will be at ‘‘100 per cent capacity’’ for the first time in almost a decade.

Ussher, a five-time Coast to Coast champion and his wife Elina, who will be seeking a third consecutive women’s title in 2018, have bought an adventure tourism business in Nelson.

He will be replaced as race director by Methven-based events promoter Glen Currie.

Ussher said he had achieved the goals he had set when taking over as race director in 2015. ‘‘It has been an amazing personal journey.’’

Ussher and wife Elina take over Happy Valley Adventures near Nelson’s Cable Bay today.

Ussher said he would be ‘‘juggling both roles over the summer’’, but insisted his Coast to Coast role would not suffer. The 41-year-old was appointed race director in 2014 when Queenstown company Trojan Holdings bought the Coast to Coast from Robin Judkins, who founded the iconic adventure sport event in 1983.

Ussher had hit the headlines in 2013 when he came up with a 10-point plan - including a call for lower race fees and more prize money - to boost the race’s flagging profile.

On Ussher’s race director watch, the Coast to Coast shifted its finish from Sumner Beach to New Brighton and secured Kathmandu as a major sponsor in 2017 on a three-year contract after the event went ahead in 2016 without a major backer following the end of a brewery’s 32-year support.