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12 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2022 Kurt’s hitting the gas pedal Nothing slows Kurt Peterson down – especially Cerebral Palsy. By MELANIE LOUDEN When Kurt Peterson hits the Taupo Ironman course in March, he’ll be setting out to do more than just tick another goal off his list. The 34-year-old Aucklander will also be raising money and awareness for the Cerebral Palsy Society, he’ll be breaking stereotypes and working towards his next goal. Kurt has minor Cerebral Palsy. It affects his left side, but he’s never let the condition stop him taking on a challenge. “It’s motivated me to hit the gas pedal and achieve my dreams,” he says. The qualified automotive engineer, who has had a career in Formula Ford motor racing, says his desire to complete an Ironman began in 2020 after he bumped into an old school mate. “He asked me ‘what goals do you have?’. I had goals, but I didn’t have them planned out. During the first lockdown of 2020 I wrote 42 life goals and the little steps to get there.” First was to run a marathon – which he did on November 1, 2020, in a time of 4 hours and 10 minutes. Two weeks later Kurt decided he was ready for the next step – a Above: Lynn James says her son Kurt Peterson has always done everything at 100 percent. Photos: Melanie Louden.