Challenge News

Entries now open for 15 January 2011

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Challenge removes percentage prize money rule

Following discussions at the recent annual Challenge Family meeting and feedback from athletes, Challenge has adopted the policy that all placed professional athletes will not have to finish within a percentage time in order to qualify for prize money.

Challenge Family CEO, Felix Walchshöfer said he was delighted this decision had been made unanimously by all Challenge Family race directors and that it signalled the importance the Challenge Family placed on the sport’s professionals.

“Professional athletes are essential to the future of the sport of triathlon. Their presence encourages age group athletes and inspires newcomers to the sport plus they are key to sponsorship investment in the sport globally,” he said. “By paying out prize money to all placed professional athletes we are not only respecting their standing in the sport but also rewarding their achievements without condition."

Top Australian triathlete, Belinda Granger, said the move by Challenge Family would be welcomed by professional athletes around the world.

“It’s great to see race directors taking positive steps for athletes and not just talking about it,” she said. “This ruling will not only benefit the athletes out in front but also those looking to break into the top 10. Challenge has realised that having to finish within a percentage time is not constructive for the future of professional racing and this is what sets Challenge apart – they do listen and they are for the athletes.”

New addition to Challenge Family

Fuerteventura, one of the sunny Canary Islands off the coast of Spain, will host a race in the Challenge world series next year, bringing the total of global Challenge races on offer to nine. Race organizers from Spain and Germany announced the move Thursday at the press conference for the flagship race in the series, Challenge Roth.

The premiere of the Playitas Challenge Fuerteventura half-distance race will be May 1, 2011, in southern Fuerteventura. The primary sponsor and joint race organizer will be the Playitas Sports Resort, which has earned a strong reputation among endurance athletes for various training camps offered there, and is also well-known for its sponsorship of the Saxo Bank professional cycling team.

Athletes can look forward to an unusual competition in the southern part of Fuerteventura, with a course that reflects the island’s rugged beauty. After the swim on a circuit in the Atlantic, the demanding bike leg includes several inclines and leads through the beautiful communities of Tuineje and Pajara. The final half-marathon will be the highlight of the half Challenge: After a five-kilometre asphalt lap and two laps of a golf course, the run will take the athletes to a lighthouse with a spectacular view of the sea. The run course is already seen as very challenging and will demand a great deal from competitors, so the race in Fuerteventura will certainly not be among the Challenge series’ easiest races. The course’s toughness will reflect what is commonly said in Fuerteventura: “Eres fuerte para Fuerte?” (“Are you strong enough for Fuerteventura?”)

Challenge Wanaka announces training camp with Samantha Warriner

Challenge Wanaka is offering a weekend training camp with former ITU World Champion Samantha Warriner and the opportunity to learn from the best through Sam’s Sweat7 coaching programme.

Sam Warriner is one of New Zealand’s most successful triathletes. She was ITU World Champion in 2008 and has won numerous Olympic and half iron distance titles in her highly respected career.

Over the weekend, she will share with athletes her experiences on the world circuit, as well as divulge those key training secrets that only come with time, experience and a lot of hard work.

Thanks to the generousity of Sam, who is donating her time to Challenge Wanaka athletes, and camp sponsor Oakridge Resort, the price is much lower than a two-day camp of this calibre would normally be at just $79 per athlete.

"We wanted to thank Challenge Wanaka athletes for their support of the event and what better way to do this than by joining forces with one of the world’s top triathletes  and providing a training camp at an affordable price in an amazing location," said Challenge Wanaka race director, Victoria Murray-Orr.

Sam said she was very much looking forward to the camp and helping the athletes achieve their goals.

"It's an amazing feeling being part of others achieving their goals. I love coaching athletes and passing on the things I've learnt over my years racing triathlon. I too had to balance work, relationships and all the other things that we juggle whilst fitting in training once – the strategies and skills I learnt back then now really help me to guide others with their time management. When you commit to a goal like an iron distance race you really have to cross all your t's and dot all your i's if you want to get the best out of yourself. The weekend will be made up of practical training sessions you can take home with you and replicate to improve your fitness, and theoretical aspects of planning, preparation, and race strategies."

The camp is only available to registered Challenge Wanaka athletes and places are strictly limited and are expected to sell out quickly. To download further information, click here.

Challenge Wanaka partners with Emirates Airlines

Excess baggage charges for bikes are an expensive nightmare of the past for Challenge athletes travelling to and from New Zealand with the announcement of a partnership between Challenge Wanaka and leading airline, Emirates.

"We're delighted to be working with Emirates and this partnership will save Challenge Wanaka athletes hundreds of dollars in excess baggage costs," said race director Victoria Murray-Orr. "Challenge Wanaka is globally renowned as one of the world's most scenic triathlons and partnering with Emirates makes it even more accessible to international athletes, further promoting New Zealand's position as a world-class sports tourism destination."

Winner of numerous awards, Emirates believes supporting events such as Challenge Wanaka is one of the best ways to connect with its passengers, allowing the airline to share and support their interests and build a closer relationship with them.

To qualify for the increased baggage allowance, athletes must book through the Challenge Wanaka’s official travel agent partner, United Travel Wanaka at fiona@unitedtravel.co.nz or by calling +64 3 443 7414. Special conditions apply.

Check out the highlights footage from Challenge Wanaka 2010

    Click on the screen to the left to view video

Challenge Wanaka voted in world's top 10

Challenge Wanaka is ranked as on the of the world's top 10 most scenic races by US publication, Triathlete Magazine, in its 100 Greatest Races on Earth feature.

Triathlete Magazine is the largest triathlon title in the world with over quarter of a million readers. For a race to be included in its 'Greatest on Earth' feature, participating in it shold be a life-changing experience and one that the athlete knows they will never forget. The team at Triathlete Magazine have selected 100 events that stand out from all the rest and Challenge Wanaka makes the grade in the 'Most Scenic' category.

With the swim in a crystal clear alpine lake surrounded by mountains, a 180km bike course that takes athletesto the edge of Mt Aspiring National PArk and around three lakes and a 42.2km run that is 60% off-road along riverside and lakeside tracks, it's easy to see how Challenge Wanaka has become so renowned on the international circuit after just four years.

2010 race photos from Marathon Photos online

Check out the race photos from Marathon Photos by clicking here. A great momento of your amazing achievement.

Thank you to the Patrons of the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust