The adventure race season hasn't begun yet, but Yukon athletes Denise and Greg McHale have plenty of reasons to feel good about their chances this year.

The two recently competed in the Rock and Ice Ultra in the Northwest Territories last week in Yellowknife, which was part of their training for the first adventure race competition of 2008.

At the event, Greg placed first in the 225-km, six-day stage race, which earned him a diamond valued at $13,000.

Denise also did very well in her race, which was a three-day event with a total distance of 135-km.

She placed third overall and was the top female in the race.

Both Denise and Greg are on an adventure racing team of four athletes.

On Thursday they flew to Ontario to train for the Malaysian Eco Games, which are being held in May.

The team hopes to secure a sponsor in the next couple of days for the competition in Malaysia, which offers $150,000 that is spread out between the top five teams.

Greg said the two are more confident heading into the race after doing so well in Yellowknife.

"Every race we go to now the goal is to win," he said.

"We have been racing for six years.

We just turned professional this year, so we are fit and we have the experience now