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Challenge Wanaka today announced the Western Pacific Bonus for exceptional performance on the testing iron distance triathlon course that has quickly become renowned as one of the most scenic in the world.

The NZ$5,000 Western Pacific Bonus will be paid to the first male athlete who finishes in under 8:10 and the first female who comes in under 9:00, both achievable times with the right conditions on the day.

"Challenge Wanaka is a spectacular and honest course with the smaller field demanding as much mentally as it does physically," said race director, Victoria Murray-Orr. "It's going to take a stunning performance to earn the bonus but we believe it is attainable. The times set are significantly faster than the current course records but are also significantly slower than the world records, which would be unrealistic on a course of this nature. Western Pacific Insurance wanted to promote the pursuit of excellence here in New Zealand and we’re delighted to work them to help achieve this through Challenge Wanaka."

Western Pacific Insurance is already supporting the recreational field of Challenge Wanaka with the Western Pacific Champion Club Trophy that is awarded to the highest placed club team. The trophy encourages healthy competition between club teams with a view to getting more people involved in iron distance racing as team members progress to the individual discipline. All athletes will also benefit from insurance cover during the race from Western Pacific.