Latest News

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (November 26, 2009) - Triathletes crossing the finish line at Challenge Wanaka in January will receive their medals and a congratulations from one of New Zealand's sporting superstars, Samantha Warriner.

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist, ITU World Cup Champion and World Aquathon Champion will also commentate at the event providing spectators with an informed insight in the sport of triathlon.

Having raced in over 60 World Cup or World Championship events plus multiple iron distances, she will let the crowds know exactly how the athletes are feeling during their gruelling 226km race, as well as the tactics involved and also the preparation required to succeed at triathlon's ultimate distance.

"I love all aspects of triathlon, and can't wait to be part of so many people's big day down in Wanaka," she said. "The effort, sacrifice, and ultimately the sense of personal achievement when competing in an event such as Challenge is just the same whether you're racing yourself for a personal best or you're racing the best in the world for a podium place, I just can't wait to be in Wanaka and share all the athletes' day, it'll be a real honour to be involved!"

Challenge Wanaka race director, Victoria Murray-Orr, said it will be a privilege to work with a sportsperson of Sam's calibre.

"We’re thrilled to have Sam as part of the team and are very much looking forward to working with her as we continue to grow the Challenge experience here in New Zealand."

Sam will also race in the national Contact Tri Series in Wanaka on Friday January 15.

New Zealand's top long distance triathletes, Gina Crawford (nee Ferguson) and Richard Ussher will both race Challenge Wanaka on 16 January 2010, taking on triathlon's ultimate distance in the spectacular alpine setting of New Zealand's South Island.

Crawford and Ussher hold the New Zealand women's and men's iron distance records respectively, both earned at Challenge Wanaka's sister event and the world's largest long distance triathlon, Challenge Roth in Germany. Crawford's time of 8:57:18 earned her third place in 2008 while Ussher also took third place with 8:02:15 in 2009.

The women's field sees a number of new faces taking on the tough 226km Wanaka course and challenging Crawford's title. Former ITU world champion, European champion and multiple Ironman winner Lisbeth Kristensen (DEN) has confirmed her start spot, as has Dutch national long distance champion Irene Kinnegim.

The men's field sees the return of reigning champion, Chris McDonald (AUS) as well as 2008 champion and eight times Inferno winner, Marc Pschebizin (GER). Possibly the world's most prolific iron distance athlete, Petr Vabrousek (CZE) is also returning for another crack at the title. They are joined by Justin Daerr (USA), rising Kiwi star, Keegan Williams who took out second in 2009 and Brian Fuller (AUS) who won the 18-24 age group at the World Championships in 2006 before becoming a professional athlete.

Challenge Wanaka is New Zealand's fastest growing iron distance triathlon and part of the global series of Challenge long distance races that includes Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Austria as well as New Zealand. The race is the flagship event of the Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival that runs from 10-16 January 2010 and also includes Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka, the Radio Wanaka 5km Fun Run, Swim the Course, Contact Cup Sprint Triathlon and the Lake Wanaka Half.

The world-wide Challenge family welcomes a new member: On September 5, 2010 the premiere of the Kaufhaus Tyrol Challenge Walchsee-Kaiserwinkl will take place at the foot of the Kaisergebirge mountains in Austria. The beautiful Kaiserwinkl region, only a stone's throw from the German border, will be the location of the first Challenge triathlon in Austria and it will certainly be a dreamlike place for this extraordinary event.

Race course with breathtaking views
The swim course will be in the Walchsee lake at the foot of the Kaisergebirge mountains. The lake is 25 metres deep, has a temperature of between 20 and 24°C and drinking water quality – the best prerequisites for fast swim results. The bike course leads through the picturesque Pillerseetal valley via Kössen to Hochfilzen, which is well-known among athletes for its biathlon competitions. Then the course takes the athletes down to St. Johann on a smooth road and through an interesting landscape. The next town along the course is Schwendt, from where the athletes will return to the starting point at the Walchsee lake. Altogether the athletes will have to deal with an altitude difference of 800 metres on the bike course. The run course with some slight hills consists of three laps along the lake promenade, where the athletes will pass farms, fields and meadows around the lake, and will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the Kaisergebirge mountains and the Walchsee lake. The finish-line will be located at the big event area by the lake.

Without a doubt, this 8th location of the world-wide Challenge series in the "Kaiserwinkl" region at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser mountain in Tyrol will add another attraction to the series. Apart from the Challenge competitions in Roth/Germany, Wanaka/New Zealand, Niederbronn-Les-Bains/France, Barcelona/Spain (two events), Kraichgau/Germany and Copenhagen/Denmark (as of 2010), athletes from around the world will now also be able to fight for records in Tyrol.

Perfect location and date
But it is not only the race course in the middle of a beautiful mountain scenery that will be a guarantee for a successful premiere of the Kaufhaus Tyrol Challenge Walchsee Kaiserwinkl. Felix Walchshöfer, organizer of the world-wide Challenge series, says: "I am very much looking forward to the race in Tyrol. Austria is an important market for us. The location is conveniently situated just across the German-Austrian border near the city of Kufstein, which will be a big advantage for German athletes. And the airports of Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck are only an hour's drive away. The date at the beginning of September has also been well chosen, since the new Challenge half-distance triathlon will certainly be a special highlight at the end of the European triathlon season."

The organizers of the competition are glad to co-operate with the Walchsee community authorities, since they are experienced in organizing big sports events. Mayor Andreas Mayr says: "The community of Walchsee can draw upon many years of experience in organizing sports events. In the last few decades we have held many big sports competitions in summer and in winter on a national and international basis. As the mayor of our community I can assure that the organizers of the triathlon have chosen their location well – not only because of our beautiful scenery."

Signa Holding as title sponsor
Fortunately local race organizer Andreas Klingler and his team have found a title sponsor for the competition straightaway: Signa Holding, one of the leading Austrian real estate companies, which is currently involved in building the "Kaufhaus Tyrol" in Innsbruck, one of Europe’s most modern urban stores (opening in spring 2010). Signa managing director René Benko says: "For me triathlon is a fascinating sport. The professional organizing team, fantastic surrounding conditions and the popularity of triathlon will turn the Kaufhaus Tyrol Challenge Walchsee Kaiserwinkl into a real highlight in Tyrol." And organizer Andreas Klingler adds: "The fair and exciting competitions of the Challenge series and the emotional family atmosphere are well-known across all borders. We think that the philosophy of the Challenge family is a perfect match for us. Strength and heart-felt friendliness are characteristics that are typical for the people here in Tyrol as well."

Homepage online – Applications possible as of July 12
The last few details of the race course are still being worked out, but the application lists will be launched on July 12, 2009 – the day the "mother event", Quelle Challenge Roth, takes place. The new homepage www.challenge-walchsee.at is now online with more information.

YWC Sports and TeamChallenge are proud to present Challenge Copenhagen. On August 15th 2010 the Danish capital will host a truly unique triathlon experience for the first time. The location will be unparalleled to any iron-distance triathlon in the world and the first time in history a capital host a triathlon of this distance.

"We are extremely proud to include Copenhagen in our race calendar. This race will be truly amazing and we are not afraid to call it the most spectacular race course in the world," says Felix Walchshofer, CEO TeamChallenge. Pia Allerslev, Mayor of Culture and Leisure in Copenhagen adds: "We believe that Copenhagen with its historic attractions, the green and international profile, easy access via Copenhagen Airport and strong infrastructure is perfect for a full scale international triathlon event. The door to Copenhagen is open and we look forward to embrace and welcome athletes from all over the world!"

The beautiful scenery in and around Copenhagen will be setting for a stunning and fast race course. The artificial laguna of Amager Beach Park will host the 3,8 km swim. With bridges crossing the water and a shallow seaboard the location is perfect for both athletes and spectators. A flat bike course, closed for cars and all other traffic, runs through the center of Copenhagen to the scenic countryside of Sealand. When finishing the 180 km bike part the athletes will reenter central Copenhagen to do the final run.

The marathon will be a three-looped course on the Copenhagen waterfront. The athletes will be taken past Copenhagen's most amazing attractions such as the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, home of the Queen of Denmark, the new stunning Opera and the old harbor of Nyhavn. The finish line in front of the Danish Parliament will be a stunning and unique finish for athletes, spectators and sponsors.

Challenge Copenhagen will attract professional and age group athletes from all over the world. With the Challenge signature on the event athletes and their supporters can be sure to experience a race of highest quality. Thomas Veje Olsen, Partner YWC Sports states: "Challenge is more than a race series - it is a feeling! Everybody in triathlon knows the fantastic spirit of the Quelle Challenge Roth. We believe its time to bring this amazing atmosphere and feeling to Copenhagen!"

Challenge Copenhagen has come to life because of a strong commitment from a variety of Danish organizations. Lars Lundov CEO at Sport Event Denmark, the Danish national sport events organisation, says: "It is our goal that Denmark becomes one of the significant sport event nations in the future and known for its high professional standards within all aspects of sports event management for the benefit of athletes, leaders and spectators. Challenge Copenhagen is one of the stepping stones."

15 months prior to Challenge Copenhagen the organizers can already present a field of strong international and Danish athletes. Challenge is one of the fastest growing triathlon concepts in the world and the race series attracts top professional athletes. The Danish triathlon superstar Torbjorn Sindballe and international world class athletes Belinda Granger and Chris McDonald, both from Australia have already announced their participation in the premier race in 2010.

Torbjorn Sindballe, 3rd in Hawaii Ironman 2007 and legendary brake away king on the bike says: "It has been a dream of mine to race in Copenhagen for a long time. It is a fantastic city and a fantastic venue for large triathlon events. We are going to race on some of my favourite training routes and I look forward to show this to the triathletes from all over the world as well as bringing the positive spirit and energy of triathlon in to the hearts of the people in Copenhagen."

The 2 times Challenge, 9 times Ironman winner and one of the strongest female triathletes in the world, Belinda Granger, is eager to take up this new race: "I am extremely excited and thrilled to be part of the new Challenge race in the heart of Copenhagen. I have never had the opportunity to visit Denmark and Copenhagen, but I have heard so many amazing stories about the city, its beauty and charm - it is going to be a surreal experience to actually race there. The course will basically be a sightseeing tour through Copenhagen."

Grounded in the history of the world famous Quelle Challenge Roth, Challenge are now offering high quality triathlon events in Germany, Spain, France and New Zealand. Challenge Roth has always had a special feeling for athletes around the world. Belinda Granger look forward to experience this in Copenhagen as well: "I am confident that the race will more than live up to the 'Challenge' name. Challenge races are special. They have a real family-feel to them, and I can already feel this when I speak to the organizers of Challenge Copenhagen. There is such passion and commitment for the sport and that is exactly what makes Challenge so special - what sets it apart from other races."

Challenge Copenhagen will be held for the first time on August 15th 2010 and will be an annual triathlon event in Copenhagen.

Two of triathlon's brightest stars will top the professional field for the eighth running of the Quelle Challenge Roth on July 12 in the triathlon-mad hamlet of Roth, Germany. Headlining top-flight fields in the men's and women's races will be Great Britain's Chrissie Wellington, the defending Ironman world champion and recent winner of Ironman Australia, and Germany's Normann Stadler, a two-time winner of the Ironman world title.

Stadler, who has also won an Ironman title at home at Ironman Germany in Frankfurt, will find himself up against a deep field that includes the Quelle Challenge Roth's top three from last year: defending champion Patrick Vernay of New Caledonia, second-place finisher Pete Jacobs of Australia and third-place finisher Torbjorn Sindballe of Denmark. Also toeing the line will be Belgium's Rutger Beke, third at the Ironman World Championships last year; Challenge Wanaka winner Chris McDonald of Australia; multiple Ironman winner Raynard Tissink of South Africa; Ironman Western Australia winner Tim Berkel and Estonia's Ain-Alar Juhanson, winner of Ironman Lanzarote.

The field also includes Australia's Justin Granger, Petr Vabrousek of the Czech Republic, Canada's Luke Dragstra and speedy firefighter Margus Tamm along with a strong German contingent including Michael Gohner, Steffen Liebetrau, Alexander Taubert, Kai Hundertmark, Olaf Sabatschus, Clemens Coenen, Bernd Eichhorn, Michi Hofmann, Dorian Wagner and the legendary Thomas Hellriegel.

The women's field is shaping up to be the strongest outside of the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Wellington, whose relatively new Ironman career has gone from strength to strength, said she also will try to take a tilt at the world-best time, lowered to 8:45:48 in Roth last year by Yvonne van Vlerken of the Netherlands. But to stand atop the podium she'll first have to contend with a start list that includes last year's second-place finisher, Hungary's Erika Csomor, whose 8:47:05 also dipped under the old record set by Paula Newby-Fraser in Roth in 1994.

The field also includes two-time Challenge Wanaka winner Gina Ferguson, who recently also took out Ironman New Zealand; former Quelle Challenge Roth champion and multiple Ironman winner Belinda Granger; multiple Ironman New Zealand winner (and former Roth champion) Joanna Lawn of New Zealand; American Hillary Biscay; the UK's Leanda Cave; Australia's Charlotte Paul and Germany's Dagmar Matthes und Christine Waitz.

In all, some 2,500 individual competitors and 500 teams from 50 nations will start the classic event.

For more information, please visit the Quelle Challenge Roth website at www.challenge-roth.de.