Ford announces Ranger Odyssey winner

• Alex Cruickshanks named winner of Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa 2013
• Ultimate prize is fully accessorised Odyssey-edition Ranger
• 10 contestants completed 22-day African adventure through six African countries, 7 860 km
• Each person was evaluated on a number of criteria, including convoy and off-road driving skills, vehicle maintenance and communication abilities

PRETORIA, South Africa - Ford South Africa announced the winner of the inaugural Ranger Odyssey Africa during a special event held in Hartbeespoort today. Alex Cruickshanks (28), from Randpark Ridge, beat out nine other hopefuls to the ultimate prize: a fully accessorised Odyssey-edition Ranger Double Cab 3.2 XLT M/T 4x4.

Alex, who works as a management consultant, used his sporting prowess as a multiple SA rowing champion to his advantage during the gruelling 22-day cross-Africa expedition that saw 10 specially selected contestants take on six countries and 7 860 km of some of the continent's toughest and most beautiful terrain.  

Throughout the Ranger Odyssey, which navigated its way from Nairobi in Kenya, through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and finally back into South Africa, the participants were evaluated on a number of different criteria by the group of judges, which was made up of the expedition leader and the driving instructors, as well as a media specialist, who had first-hand experience of each of the contestants every day.

The criteria included convoy and off-road driving skills, vehicle maintenance and care, team interaction, individual skills, problem solving, leadership, adaptability, responsibility, brand awareness and communication abilities. They also had to submit a daily blog throughout the trip which was uploaded to the Ranger Odyssey website.

The contestants received a score out of 10 for each aspect every day, and when the scores were tallied at the end of the expedition, Alex emerged as the clear winner.

"Alex is not only an extremely skilled, but also a very calm individual who works well in a team," said Ford South Africa's Marketing Manager, Gavin Golightly. "The feedback we have received from the judges on Alex's abilities, his attitude and unshakeable temperament makes us confident that the right person won. As the winner of the inaugural Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa, we are proud to welcome Alex to the Ford family as a brand ambassador, Ranger owner and friend. We would also like to extend our congratulations to all the contestants who participated in this epic journey. We're proud and impressed by every one of you and look forward to having you as members of our family for years to come. "