New Zealand Elite Triathlete Tony Dodds wants to attract more world class international triathletes to Wanaka for the elite leg of the Contact Tri Series on Friday 20th January 2012 and he is putting up to ten grand of money where his mouth is.
Nicknamed the 'Doddsy International', Dodds is hoping to raise enough funds to quintuple the prize pot, so far he has tripled the $2,000 1st place prize money to $7,000, an athlete inspired move believed to be unique in the world of triathlon and just as rare in any professional sport – the athlete finding the money and putting it all on the line for all-comers to take away.
"On the international triathlon circuit prize money is the biggest draw-card for a professional athlete. I'm gambling that a few of my international rivals will take the bait, $7k will guarantee a few, but $10k would dig up a whole lot!" says Dodds.
Most recently Nelson berry company Sujon have very generously approached Dodds and offered $1,000 towards the pot.
Several local businesses, a very generous anonymous fan, Lake Wanaka Tourism and Tony's sponsors have all helped to contribute towards the prize. Plus local tourism operators have donated some adventurous extra-curricular activities including helicopter sight-seeing, hunting and water-sports.
And his hard work hasn't gone unnoticed, with over half a dozen extra elites registered as a result of Tony's efforts, including:
Kris Gemmell – Olympian, winner of multiple world cups and fellow NZ elite squad member. Winner of the recent Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Cup in Auckland.
Laurent Vidal – French Olympian, winner of last year's race, and number 7 in the world.
Ryan Sissons – fellow NZ elite squad member from Auckland, ranked 18 in the world in 2011.
Simon Whitfield - Canada, gold medal Sydney Olympics, Bronze medal Athens Olympics
Adding further incentive for sponsors to part with their money, should Tony win, he has advised that all the additional prize money will be donated to Cystic Fibrosis research.
Contact Tri Series Wanaka
All events take place on Friday 20th January, preceding Challenge Wanaka which follows on Saturday 21st January. There are events for everyone from children to beginners to elites in a festival atmosphere with large crowds on a flat and easy course.
- Registration & Late Entries Challange Wanaka Marque 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- Contact 1:2:1 Boys & Girls 2:15pm
- Contact 3:9:3 Men 2:40pm
- Women & Teams 2:41pm
- Contact Trophy Women & Womens/Mixed Teams 3:40pm
- Men & Men's Teams 5:20pm
- Contact Cup Elite: Women 7:00pm
- Men 8:10pm
- Prize-Giving: Finish Line upon completion of elite men's event
