Contact Energy My Sport series launched
Triathlon New Zealand today launched the 2007/08 Contact Energy 'My Sport Series', offering races and distances for all athletes regardless of age or ability at seven venues from Timaru to Takapuna this summer.
The honour of hosting the first race in the series goes to Rotorua on the 11th November. The Blue Lake race will offer two race distances, a 'Tri My Sport' event consisting of a 400m swim; 16km road bike and 5.5km forest run in some of the more stunning natural surroundings the country has to offer.
And for those more serious about their recreation or triathlon ambition, the Contact Energy Cup will be raced over a 1500m swim, 40km road bike and 11km forest run, offering prize money and points towards the overall championship.
In announcing the series and the new name of Contact Energy 'My Sport' Series, Tri NZ CEO Dave Beeche acknowledged the need to stay focused on the 'social' side of the sport as well as the elite.
"We have enjoyed unprecedented success on the world stage with multiple World Cup podiums and a depth in our sport unmatched by few other individual sports played in this country that can in any way be considered 'global' in terms of their appeal and participation," said Beeche.
"But we must not lose sight of what is for us a huge priority – to look after and nourish our membership base here in New Zealand. Triathlon and multi-sport is special in the camaraderie and good will that it engenders through our events and participants, you sense this at any event at any venue whether it is a small provincial triathlon or a national championship event at a major city centre. This is something the Contact Energy My Sport Series is looking to capture and build upon."
For the novice or first time contestants the popular 'Tri My Sport' race returns at all venues while the more serious minded and elite athletes will once again compete for prize money and overall honours in the Contact Energy Cup races, over a variety of distances.
Without apology Beeche says the focus is just as much on the novice or first time competitors as it is on the elite or serious athletes.
"Try My Sport is about lifestyle and inviting New Zealanders to get off the couch and have a go. Contrary to popular belief our sport is not all about expensive equipment and hours and hours of training. It is also about setting realistic goals and making a difference to your overall health and wellbeing."
The inaugural series last year attracted thousands of entrants, from the novice athletes of all ages to the likes of Olympic silver medalist and World Champion Bevan Docherty and multiple World Cup winner Sam Warriner.
Triathlon New Zealand expects that a number of our World leading athletes will once again return for a number of the Contact Energy Cup races, an event that will for the first time offer a team's category on race day as the sport looks to cater for the recent upsurge in interest in the sport.
Tom Mayo is Chief Operations Officer at Tri NZ and responsible for the Contact Energy My Sport Series. Mayo says the sport is determined to capitalize on the success and profile of its leading athletes.
"There is a real buzz in the triathlon and multi-sport community at the moment, much of it on the back of our elite athletes dominating on the world stage and getting the sport into the news bulletins and sports pages.
"The goal of this series is to capture that enthusiasm and interest in the sport, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to compete on the same day, on the same course as our leading athletes, in some cases joining them on the start line. Not many sports can offer that opportunity.
"Imagine sharing the grid with Michael Schumacher or entering the same tournament as Roger Federer, it just doesn't happen in other sports."
Tri NZ My Sport Series also offers team racing as an option, again with a view to encouraging people gently into the sport.
Dave Beeche says this will appeal to a wide market.
"Employers are increasingly looking for challenging and healthy ways to interact with their staff. Triathlon offers that perfect opportunity with teams racing allowing for people to experience the sport as a whole while first taking part in one or two disciplines. Plus we see this as a great way to help families compete in races together, regardless of experience, ability or age."
Local triathlon and multi-sport club RATS and the Rotorua District Council are right behind the opening race at Blue Lake.
Rotorua District Council Event Manager Emily Pritchard also active in the club's activities and echoes the feeling in the region.
"Rotorua is such an event oriented district and so much of it is about making the most of our beautiful surroundings and natural resource. Largely because of that but also thanks to the great enthusiasm of the local club, triathlon and multi-sport are well represented on the events calendar with a number of world class races and festivals.
"I can speak on behalf of the Council but also local triathletes and multi-sport competitors when I say Rotorua is thrilled to open the 'My Sport Series' for another year. Long may it continue to grow and prosper."
The Tri NZ My Sport Series has in excess of $70,000 in prize money and prizes up for grabs, including the lure of a Suzuki Swift as the major spot prize for anyone who enters in a My Sport or Contact Energy Cup race. There are also prizes on offer at each venue of Asics Shoes, Polar Heart monitors, BBQ's, Balance product, Orca wetsuits and other cash prizes.
For more information and entry details, visit www.triathlon.org.nz
Dates and Locations:
Venue Date Distance
Rotorua. 11th November Try My Sport and Olympic Distance
Takapuna. 2nd December Try My Sport and Sprint Distance
Whangamata 12th January Try My Sport and Olympic Distance
Timaru 27th January Try My Sport and Olympic Distance
Taupo 3rd February Erin Baker Award Standard Tri and National Sprint Distance Champs
Napier 23rd February Try My Sport and Olympic Distance
Wellington. 9 th March Contact Energy Cup National Standard Distance Championships & teams competition