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INTERVIEW BETWEEN CHALLENGE WANAKA EVENT DIRECTOR, VICTORIA MURRAY-ORR, AND RACE DIRECTOR, FELIX WALCHSHÖFER

What changes have been made under the new ownership?

VMO: The race will follow the ethos of all TEAM Challenge events - fair, fun and professionally run. It’s the attention to detail that makes the difference. Our main focus is on delivering an outstanding event within the time frame available. However, we have introduced some new initiatives such as the Champion Club Trophy for New Zealand triathlon clubs and fund raising opportunities for the local community.

FW: For me, it’s important that the first TEAM Challenge event outside of Germany continues to be a success. Lake Wanaka is such a spectacular destination and we’re delighted to be working with local professionals who understand what’s needed to make an event work in this region. We work well together and have a very similar approach to the task in hand. It is important that the event is now run out of Wanaka with many of the local crew from 2007. In short, this small change will have a huge, positive effect on the race.

How is it going work with Felix in Germany and Victoria in New Zealand?

FW: The distance isn’t really an issue. I am very familiar with the course and its details and we speak regularly on the phone and via email. There is no doubt I will rely heavily on Victoria for getting the key components in place before I arrive in early January – from then on together we will hit the ground running, literally!

VMO: I agree, working across international time zones is commonplace these days and not a problem. Felix is hugely respected internationally as a race director and having him in this role in Wanaka is fantastic for the event. The whole team will learn from his expertise which can only set the event in good stead for the future.

Felix, how does Challenge Wanaka differ from Challenge Roth?

FW: Well, the obvious difference is the size. Challenge Roth has over 4,000 athletes whereas we’re looking at 400 for Wanaka in 2008. However, Challenge Wanaka has huge growth potential and we hope to see more than 1,000 athletes taking part by 2010. The other is the scenery – Wanaka is one of the most beautiful places I have visited and the race course is spectacular, surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers. Otherwise, the events are remarkably similar. They are both ironman distance, they are both run by passionate teams and they are both embraced by their communities. I was reallyimpressed by the way Wanaka took ownership of the first event earlier this year. It has received incredible support from local individuals and businesses and I hope this continues for many years to come as the event grows and brings benefit to the region.

Victoria, what does it mean to you to be involved in the event?

VMO: It’s a remarkable opportunity and one my business partner, Kerry Quin, and I are very proud to have earned. We’ve got a fantastic team behind us, the support of the community and a great future ahead in terms of the benefit Challenge Wanaka can bring to the region and New Zealand.

How do you think TEAM Challenge events can contribute to the sport?

VMO: For us, one of our main objectives is to get more people involved in triathlons. The teams’ section of the Challenge events brings ironman distance events within the reach of so many more people and that can only be good for the sport. In the future we hope to follow Roth’s example by introducing a special event for children and we will work closely with Triathlon New Zealand to ensure we are in line with their objectives and goals for the sport.

FW: When we gave the Ironman label back and decided to go independent we were able to introduce relay teams. Many of those ex-teams are now triathletes on the full distance, proving the teams act as a stepping stone to the next level. Not only do TEAMChallenge events benefit the sport but also their host regions. Europe’s biggest research company has stated that over race weekend, athletes, their families and the spectators spend over 10 million Euros in the county of Roth!

Finally, can you both give an example of a defining moment in your careers?

VMO: I was lucky enough to be in Roth early this year and I was overwhelmed by the sheer passion the event conjured up in the hundreds of thousands of spectators, volunteers and athletes. I remember thinking what a wonderful phenomenon it was and how amazing it would be if Wanaka could evoke those same emotions. Little did I know that just a few months later I would be heading the team charged with doing just that!

FW: One defining moment was seeing the last athlete in the race finishing in Pembroke Park at midnight this year at Orca Challenge Wanaka. To see nearly the whole community on the grandstands and on the finish line; seeing children doing the limbo dance with Belinda Granger; seeing the fireworks going off. I had tears in my eyes as I could have never have imagined so many of the Wanaka community coming out to see and support the race in the first year. It was absolutely amazing.