Ussher House make their run at history | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

A Coast to Coast men's and women's double on Saturday is widely predicted for the House of Ussher - Nelson multisporters Richard and Elina Ussher.

However, titleholder and four-times winner Richard Ussher is quick to add a caution to all the talk that the two 35-year-olds are poised to complete the first husband and wife double in the event's 30-year history.

"Obviously it would be really nice," he said. "But we are probably in the twilight of our careers now, so there will probably be not many more opportunities before young guys are knocking on the door - in fact, they probably are this year."

The women's field was the more competitive last year, but the reverse was probably the case this year, he said.

"There are a lot of up and coming guys who are really pushing the pace this year, and who have also got enough experience to be a threat.

"And there are others who do not have great experience, but have great physical capabilities."

However, it was a "really long day out and experience definitely counts for something".

Both he and Elina - the 2010 women's champion, and runner-up last year - were in good shape for the race, he said.

Ussher named three rivals he'll "keep a real close eye on" - last year's runner-up Dougal Allan, last year's two-day winner James Coubrough, and Australian-based Kiwi Braden Currie.

Coubrough was a very good runner and very good paddler, he said. And Currie "will definitely leave it all out on the course".

Ussher's win in 10h 41m 12s last year was the second-fastest in Coast to Coast history.

Ussher has the Queenstown Godzone Adventure in April on his schedule next. APNZ