After a successful inaugural Aquabike race in 2018, Challenge Wanaka will continue with the 3km swim and 120km bike for 2019! This time we’ll be starting the Aquabike race off earlier at 8am to fit in with our starters from the Challenge Wanaka Half and to keep you focused during the day!
Saturday 16th February 2019
Aquabike National Champs
Challenge Wanaka Aquabike 2019 will again be hosting the National Championships and prizes are up for grabs:
The winning male and female will each receive a $2500 travel/accommodation voucher towards the World Champs in Pontevedra, Spain.
Age group podium athletes selected will get a subsidy for accommodation.
Please note: As all Multisport World Championship selections will conclude on January 15th 2019, before the Challenge Wanaka Aquabike race, only athletes who have been notified of selection by Triathlon NZ (prior to race day) will be eligible for the Challenge Wanaka Aquabike World Championship prize offering.
- Aquabike selection is facilitated through application only concluding on January 15th. Application will be full cost ($100) for those not doing Challenge Wanaka Aquabike national champs. HOWEVER Full refunds will be provided to all athletes who provide race entry confirmation for the 2019 Challenge Wanaka Aquabike. Note: that this means athletes will need to enter the Aquabike race and complete their application by mid-January.
- The age group selection policy can be found on the Tri NZ website and the special circumstances application can be found here.
Race Manual
The Aquabike Race Manual for 2019 is now available – click here to view all information you need before your race and on the the day.
Course details
Swim Leg – 3km
View map
The swim course is set for Roy’s Bay in Lake Wanaka
The two-lap swim is in the sheltered part of Roy’s Bay in Lake Wanaka within easy view of spectators watching from the shore. The course has a beach start swimming in an anti-clockwise direction with a total of three turn buoys.
Lake Wanaka is the warmest lake in the Southern Lakes and is a popular choice for a large range of water sports each summer. The swim course is in crystal clear water so clean you can drink it.
Bike Leg – 120km
View map
Close up of town section – Stone St/Meadowstone Drive
The 120km bike is over one lap and takes in two of the alpine lakes in the Southern Lakes region, with an out and back leg to make up the distance.
The course heads out of town winding round the edge of Lake Wanaka towards Mt Aspiring National Park, reaching the Hospital Flat turnaround point at 18km and heading back to the township. After passing through the main race area and crowds of spectators the course turns left through Albert Town and an undulating ride to Lake Hawea. After a ride along the Hawea lakefront the course heads to Hawea Flat followed by a short climb to the terraces and then a steep descent to the Clutha River. Before reaching the Red Bridge, a sharp left hand turn takes you out towards Tarras for 15km where a U-turn takes you back to the Red Bridge. After crossing the Red Bridge you will turn right at Luggate, competitors will climb to Wanaka Airport and head back towards Wanaka taking a short detour along Riverbank Road to the Cardrona Valley Road. At Stone Street you turn left down a short steep hill to a sharp bend onto Meadowstone Drive, leading you out right onto Ardmore Street toward town and the bike Transition where you will rack your bike and run 100 metres to the finish.
Aid Stations
Aid stations on the bike course will be approximately 20km apart. These will have bike bottles with PURE electrolyte drink or water in them. Peak Fuel bars, PURE Gels and bananas will also be available from aid stations at all times, along with hydration from PURE. Coke is available on the final two aid stations. Please make sure you train on these products prior to the race so you know how they work for you – everyone is different.
Drafting
If you are caught drafting you will be penalised and/or disqualified as per the Triathlon NZ regulations. Please read the Terms & Conditions which are part of the entry form for clarification on our drafting rules.
Bike cut off : 4:30pm
