Land Rover 2026 Defender Trophy Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2026

Fort Worth’s Carlo Capua Named North American Semifinalist for Prestigious 2026 Defender Trophy

Local Adventurer Beats Out Hundreds of Competitors to Earn Spot Among Elite 12 — Could Represent the U.S. at the Global Final in Africa This October.

FORT WORTH, TX — Carlo Capua of Fort Worth, Texas, has been selected as one of only 12 North American semifinalists for the 2026 Defender Trophy — one of the most grueling adventure competitions in the world. Capua earned his spot after competing against 120 participants from across the United States and Canada at the rigorous North American Qualifier Event held in Mission, British Columbia.

Set against the rugged terrain of British Columbia’s evergreen forests, Stave Lake, and the surrounding mountain wilderness, competitors faced a demanding multi-day series of off-road driving challenges, physical tests, and ingenuity tasks designed to push participants to their absolute limits. Only the toughest 12 — six from the U.S. and six from Canada advanced to the semifinal stage.

“Congratulations to all twelve finalists who emerged from an exceptionally tough North American Qualifier. Their determination, teamwork, and capability truly embodied the Defender spirit. We’re looking forward to announcing those who advance as they continue their journey toward the 2026 Defender Trophy Global Final.”

— Charlotte Blank, North America Director, Defender

What’s Next for Capua
The stakes could not be higher. From the 12 North American semifinalists, only four competitors — two from the U.S. and two from Canada — will be selected to represent North America at the 2026 Global Defender Trophy Final in Africa this October. The announcement of the four finalists will take place during a live ceremony at Destination Defender New York on May 15th, held at Cedar Lakes Estate in the Hudson Valley.

At the Global Final, competitors will face a series of Purpose missions interspersed with physical, driving, and ingenuity challenges across an epic African adventure in partnership with Defender conservation partner, Tusk.

About Carlo Capua
A Fort Worth native, Capua received his BBA from TCU in 2000 and his Master’s in International Relations from Harvard University in 2022, where he was the recipient of the Derek Bok Public Service Prize.

He serves as Senior Principal at the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, working with nonprofit grantees who make transformational impact on families across North Texas. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Mattie Parker and as Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth.

Capua chairs the national Board of Directors for Sister Cities International, the world’s largest people-to-people diplomacy organization and has been recognized by the government of Japan for his work strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. He co-founded Z’s Café, a Fort Worth social enterprise that created 165 jobs for low-income men and women over 13 years and fed 150,000 food-insecure people during COVID.

An Ironman Triathlon finisher and 19-marathon veteran, Capua lives in Fort Worth with his wife, Dr. Rachael Capua.”

“Fort Worth has shaped everything about who I am. To have the chance to represent my hometown on a global stage in Africa would be a dream come true. I’m grateful to Autobahn Fort Worth and Land Rover for making this kind of adventure possible.”

— Carlo Capua, Senior Principal, Rainwater Charitable Foundation

About the Defender Trophy
The Defender Trophy is a competition like no other — a celebration of adventure, resilience, and capability inspired by the legacy of iconic Defender Trophy challenges. The competition tests endurance, teamwork, off-road skill, and navigation in some of the world’s most extreme environments.

For more information, visit https://media.landrover.com/en-us/news/2026/04/defender-announces-north-american-semifinalists-2026-defender-trophy

About Land Rover Fort Worth
At Land Rover Fort Worth, every great drive starts with a great experience.

From the moment you walk through our doors to every mile you drive after, our team is committed to creating an environment where exceptional service, genuine connection, and passion for driving come together. We believe the journey of owning a Land Rover should feel just as rewarding as the drive itself.

For us, it’s about more than helping you find the right vehicle. It’s about delivering an experience that reflects the refinement, capability, and confidence that define Land Rover.

For more information, visit landroverfortworth.com

MEDIA CONTACTS
Aaron Hoernke | Senior Marketing Specialist | [email protected]

Words: Aaron Hoernke