Contact Series Locked in for Another Great Summer
The Contact Tri Series dates were today confirmed by Triathlon New Zealand; with a familiar look to the venues as all 7 races return for the summer of 2011/12.
Triathlon New Zealand Events Manager Haidee Stratford says after some years of looking for the right mix and formula, the series is now beginning to become established in terms of venues, dates and races offered.
“Triathletes love familiarity with their events and their summer calendars. They know when to plan time out for Ironman New Zealand; they know when to plan for Challenge Wanaka and so on with so many well established events throughout the country. We are now doing just that with the Contact Tri Series with venues and dates staying reasonably consistent year upon year.
“We are back to all seven of our venues from last summer, starting in Rotorua as a great lead in to the ITU World Cup in Auckland two weeks later and moving throughout the country to Whangamata (January 3rd) during the holiday season then off to the South Island for Pegasus in Christchurch (January 15th) and Wanaka five days later (January 20th).
“We take a break for a couple of weeks then before Kinloch once again hosts the New Zealand Sprint Championships (February 5th) in an event that almost always sells out before we head to Takapuna for our live Television race (February 19th), when many of the sports superstars join the age groupers in a wonderful day of racing. Wellington hosts the finale with the National Standard Distance Championships (March 10th).”
While all venues have their own nuances and appeal to participants and spectators, each event in the Contact Tri Series brings a consistency and familiarity with a race distance to suit every competitor.
Stratford is especially pleased that all events this summer will now host both a Contact 3:9:3 for beginners and a Contact 1:2:1 for children.
“While much of the kudos and limelight might go to the elites that take part in the series, we are very much about encouraging first time or social participants in the sport. The 3:9:3 offers a suitable challenge for those wishing to ‘dip their toes’ into triathlon, either for the first time or perhaps after a long time out of the sport. But the best news is the introduction of the children’s 1:2:1 at all venues this summer, giving children the chance to experience the sport in a very easy and non confrontational event with the emphasis on giving it a go.”
Here is a summary of the venues and races on offer at each event in the Contact Tri Series this coming summer:
Coming in at Race 1 is the spectacular course at the Blue Lake in Rotorua taking place on Saturday 5 November 2011. This event is placed perfectly, two weeks out from the World Cup Qualifier in Auckland, time enough to dust off the gear before the big one.
The crowd favourite Whangamata sits once again at Race 2 and enjoys a huge number of followers as they welcome in the New Year and take on 2012. Let's see how many it attracts on Tuesday 3 January 2012.
We have a change of order it seems with Christchurch taking the place of Race 3 of the Series. Sunday 15 January 2012 in Pegasus, mark it in your diary now as the first of the two South Island stints.
Edging back into the spot of Race 4 is Wanaka. It's going to be interesting to see who is the favourite for the second running of ‘Doddsy's Challenge’. Will the local take revenge and get his nose over the line first? We will find out on Friday 20 January 2012.
The 2010/2011 race favourite Kinloch is staying strong as Race 5. Though it has fierce support from the triathlon community there are some strong contenders hot on its heels for favourite race status, will it produce the goods on Sunday 5 February 2012?
Sitting proud as Race 6 is Takapuna which can't get enough of the spotlight. Closed course, live television for the elites and the beach close by, what a formula, book your flights and get your race entry in now for Sunday 19 February 2012.
At the back of the pack in Race 7 but packing a lot of punch is Wellington, the stalwart of the contenders and the national standard distance championship. It's a big year for Wellington; everyone will be after a spot as we pull the curtain on the 2011/2012 Series on Saturday 10 March 2012.
Full schedule and information at www.triseries.co.nz