Australians Glen Wimberley and Louise McNair have been selected among 36 finalists for the inaugural Defender Trophy Global Final in Africa.
The pair qualified through regional events and were chosen from more than 23,000 applicants worldwide.
They will join competitors from Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, North America, South America, South Africa and Taiwan.
The global final will cover 3000km across three African countries and combine off-road driving, physical challenges and conservation work.
Competitors will contribute to five projects alongside Defender’s conservation partner, Tusk, with the programme intended to create a lasting legacy in the participating communities.
Defender global managing director Paddy McGillycuddy says the competition marks a new chapter for the four-wheel-drive brand.
“This is a new era for Defender, creating a new epic adventure inspired by the legacy of Trophy events of the past.
“The Global Final is a celebration of everyone who has been a part of Defender Trophy so far.
“Our finalists are courageous and ambitious, with a desire to give back and make a difference. These are not pure athletes; they are from all walks of life and have an insatiable thirst for adventure.”
The finalists include astronauts, filmmakers, firefighters and teachers who qualified through 10 regional events.
The competition marks Defender’s return to global adventure challenges 45 years after the original Trophy concept was launched.
Regional events tested participants’ physical endurance, problem-solving, teamwork and technical off-road driving abilities.
New Zealand adventurer Lily Hillary will represent the wider Asia-Pacific region, while Wimberley and McNair compete as Australia’s representatives.
The Defender Trophy Global Final is scheduled to take place later this year.
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