Steve Gurney
![]() Gurney in 2019 | |
Personal information | |
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Full name | Stephen Bruce Gurney |
Born | Christchurch, New Zealand | 8 July 1963
Stephen Bruce Gurney
Career
Up until 1994, he was a professional
In 1994, a severe
During his racing career Steve heavily used his engineering degree and experience to push at the edges of the rules and possibilities to give himself and his teams a winning edge. Inventing items such as a bike pod, improved kayak seats, anti-chafing solutions and more.
Gurney was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to endurance sport in the 2004 New Year Honours.[3]
Retirement
On 8 August 2007, he announced his retirement from the sport due to a two-year fight with an ankle injury. He said he was disappointed that he could not win a 10th Coast to Coast title and also that he finished his last competitive race in 2nd place.[4] He now presents motivational talks, develops new sports related products and undertakes unique challenges around the world[5] Together with Christchurch adventure racers Steve Moffatt, Gurney recognised the strong talent in Anton Cooper, a cross-country cyclist, and organised financial support from various business people.[6]
As part of the Mad Way South team Steve holds two world records:
- The first crossing of the Sahara Desert by wind power alone
- The longest kite buggy, at 2160 km
During the journey he experienced a high speed crash, at the time a local hospital reported no broken bones and he continued the journey despite being in significant pain. On returning to New Zealand and completing new scans he discovered he had 4 facial fractures, a 6 cm piece broken from a scapula, a badly torn rotator cuff and a damaged eardrum. He has since fully recovered from all injuries.
Gurney lost his home in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes as it became uninhabitable and the land it was built on became unstable. After helping front a well orchestrated and prolonged battle with local insurance companies he took the opportunity to move to Queenstown, New Zealand's capital of adventure sports.
Bibliography
- Lucky Legs: what I’ve learned about winning & losing ISBN 978-1-86979-060-8
- Eating Dirt ISBN 978-1-86979-967-0
- The Beginners Guide to Adventure Sport in New Zealand ISBN 978-1-77553-837-0
References
- ^ "SteveGurney.co.nz".
- ^ "Dancing With The Stars credits".
- ^ New Year Honours List 2004. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- Television New Zealand. Newstalk ZB. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Steve Gurney Motivational Speaker
- Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
External links
- Steve Gurney's motivational talk and news site
- Steve's Books and GurneyGears product range
- GurneyGoo product range