Wanaka again plays host to a round of the Sovereign Tri Series this Sunday morning, with the Tri NZ run event returning to the lakeside resort for the first time after a two year absence.
The event was traditionally hosted on the Friday evening of Challenge Wanaka weekend, but with Challenge moving to a new February date the opportunity to return was one too good to turn down.
"Wanaka is such a stunning location and the Central Otago region is a hub of multisport and triathlon events so we are delighted to be back with the Sovereign Tri Series," said Tri NZ CEO Craig Waugh.
"We have received good support from the local business community and council and look forward to building a successful event in Wanaka over the next few years. It is critical that we get that support from the community and have offered a variety of distances and options to suit all abilities. We have also recognized those more serious age group athletes with the awarding of South Island Championship status to the standard distance race, one that also acts as a secondary selection event for the ITU World Age Group Championships in Chicago later this year."
The events on offer include the standard distance race (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) as well as a short distance option with both off-road and on road courses – meaning mountain bikes are more than welcome (in either event).
Team racing is also an option in all race distances, allowing friends, family and workmates to pull together with one swimmer, one rider and one runner/walker enjoying being a part of the event. Entry remains open online at www.triseries.kiwi with late entries also accepted at registration at Pembroke Park between 3pm and 5pm on Saturday.
All participants go in the draw to win a brand new Suzuki Swift, with a name drawn at each Sovereign Tri Series event through the summer for a draw at the season ending Sovereign Christchurch event in April. Prize giving will feature other spot prizes and medals in all age groups for the South Island Championships (individual standard racing only). Naming rights partner Sovereign is also running a competition to give away a $4,000 triathlon starter pack, including a new bike!
With such a busy calendar of events throughout the summer in Wanaka and the surrounding region, there was always going to be difficulty finding an open weekend. However a solution has been found in a partnership with the Ruby Island Swim organisers, with that event being hosted on Saturday and the Sovereign Tri Series event on the Sunday. Participants entering in both events will receive a 10% discount on their Sovereign Tri Wanaka entry fee.
The forecast for the weekend is also promising, with predictions of temperatures in the early 20's with cloud cover providing some protection for participants as they compete on a course that provides the perfect hit out before Challenge Wanaka on February 22nd. Participants can enjoy a Lake Wanaka swim, transition in Pembroke Park and a ride on part of the course used for Challenge on Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Road before returning to Pembroke Park to transition on to the run course.
