Team racing is the best option for triathletes still considering an involvement in the upcoming Wellington round of the Contact Tri Series – and not just because there is great prize money up for grabs in the Tri Tag Relay on March 10.
With a number of races either sold out or on the way to selling out, the introduction of the teams racing concept is a novel way for people to get involved in the sport, or for the serious triathletes to chase the podium and prize money. And with four thousand dollars for the first team across the line, there is plenty of incentive.
Tri NZ Event Director Haidee Stratford reiterates that this form of team racing is something we haven't seen here in New Zealand.
"This is not your traditional relay with one swimmer tagging a cyclist who then tags a runner. This is a short format (250m swim, 5km bike, 1500m run) with each participant completing the whole course before tagging the next team mate with four in total making up each team, two men and two women.
"It will make for a great way for work colleagues or friends perhaps even families to take part in the day in an easily achievable short distance triathlon. It is also however a great opportunity for experienced triathletes to form a few teams, challenge each other and see who comes out on top."
The sport is also hugely popular throughout the world of triathlon, in particular in club racing in Europe. The International Triathlon Union is also pushing team racing with a view to gaining acceptance into the Olympic Games in 2018. Spectacular for participants and fans alike, the nature of a race can change quickly with each team member, maintain interest throughout.
Entries into the Tri Tag Relay are limited to 40 teams with entries open online at www.triseries.co.nz. There are no age groups in the teams racing and no requirement for teams to be from the same club or indeed region. There will however be an award for the 'best dressed' team, encouraging some fun as well as serious racing on the day.
There is however a separate corporate category for those that wish to make it a team building exercise in the work place. Triathlon New Zealand and sponsors have pledged one thousand dollars to the winning team's preferred charity. For a team to qualify in the corporate category, 3 of the 4 team members must be from the same workplace.
Tri Tag Relay Fast Facts:
- Each team has 4 people; 2 men and 2 women
- It's short; 250m swim, 5km cycle, 1.6km run or thereabouts....super fast!
- Team member # 1 swims, cycles and runs before handing over to team member 2 in transition who heads for the water to start their super sprint tri and so on until team member 4 also known as the 'anchor' completes their run by flying down the finish line
The Rest:
- There are two categories in Wellington; 'Open' and 'Corporate' (the corporate team must have at least 3 people from the same workplace and you can therefore have one ring-in)
- The first 'Open' Team over the line wins $4K, that's $1K each! Woo...hoo!
- The first 'Corporate' Team over the line gets to award $1K to their named charity
- It's limited to the first 40 teams, entries open online now at www.triseries.co.nz
Contact Trophy racing for age group individuals and teams has sold out, there is still room in the Contact 1:2:1 (children) and Contact 3:9:3 as well as the Tri Tag Relay. All entry details at www.triseries.co.nz.
