Challenge Wanaka will welcome back three former champions to the iron distance triathlon on 21 January 2012 with reigning champion, Jamie Whyte (NZL) going head to head with course record holder, Richard Ussher (NZL), who took out the 2010 title and Marc Pschebizin (GER) who won in 2008.
Joining the former champions will be top Kiwi athletes Kieran Doe and Keegan Williams along with former world duathlon champion, Leon Griffin (AUS). Doe is fresh from his success in Asia where he secured a number of podiums including second at the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Series. Williams had a stellar European season taking third place at Challenge Roth.
In the women’s field, New Zealand record holder and three-time Challenge Wanaka champion, Gina Crawford, is making a return to the sport following the birth of her son Benjamin earlier this year.
“I am really excited to be making Challenge Wanaka my first event back after having Benjamin. I missed competing this year and with it being my favourite event I certainly don’t want to miss it two years in a row! The biggest challenge for me will be to gain the endurance needed for racing an iron distance event, as at the moment I am training around Benji’s random schedule which doesn’t allow for many long sessions. I therefore have to make the most of the time I have to train with the emphasis on quality not quantity.”
Crawford will be joined by former age group world champion Belinda Harper (NZL) who took a career best fourth place at Challenge Roth in July and Gold Coast athlete, Jodie Scott with further names to be confirmed.
Challenge Wanaka is the flagship event of New Zealand’s largest annual triathlon festival, the Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival which runs from 15-21 January 2012 with over 2,000 athletes of all ages and abilities taking part in the Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka, Radio Wanaka 5km Charity Fun Run, Contract Tri Sprint race, Lake Wanaka Half and Challenge Wanaka. For further information visit www.challenge-wanaka.com.
