Alpine Ironman: Where Multisport Began

It was the winter of 1980 and something special was brewing in Wānaka. The town was buzzing with mountain enthusiasts looking for adventure.

That same year, loveable rogue Robin Judkins gave up drinking and was pouring his newfound creative energy into a new idea: the Alpine Ironman. It was bold, chaotic, and totally groundbreaking.

Competitors were helicoptered up to End Peak, skied down until the snow ran out, then ran with their skis in steel-frame packs to the Motatapu River below, where they paddled leaky canoes through rapids to the finish. It was tough, creative, and raw.

While they didn’t know it at the time this set the foundation of multisport and adventure racing in New Zealand—and many say the world.

Now, I want to retrace this piece of often forgotten history and bring this incredible quintessential kiwi story to life in a short film—just like we did with the Old School Coast to Coast.

We’ve got a brilliant film crew lined up, but we need help to make this project happen.

If you enjoyed the Old School Coast to Coast film, this is the spiritual prequel—and it’s going to be another wild ride..

How you can help:

- Donate via this Givealittle page to support the film crew and logistics

- Lend or share any old photos, gear, or stories from the 1980 Alpine Ironman

- Know someone with a helicopter or pre-1980s car? We’d love to chat!

- Let’s bring this forgotten piece of multisport history back to life—retro gear, wild terrain, and all.

Thanks for the support!