The Contact Schools National Triathlon Champs take place this Thursday at Jacks Point in Queenstown with some of the best young talent from around the country descending on a venue to rival anything in the world for stunning vistas and views.
The event was originally scheduled for Pegasus, just North of Christchurch but the stress placed on infrastructure and support services following the destructive earthquake saw the event move South at short notice, thanks largely to the commitment of the Southland Tri Club and Jacks Point Resort, both of whom came to the assistance of Tri NZ in finding a new home for the event.
Tri NZ Event Manager Haidee Stratford says the event is shaping up as a special one in light of the circumstances that led to the change of venue.
"We will all spare a thought for the people of Christchurch on Thursday and wish we could have been racing at Pegasus. But as has been well documented we simply couldn't place that burden on support services and infrastructure at such a difficult time when frankly there are other priorities ahead of hosting a triathlon.
"Allowing for that, the Southland Tri Club and the team at Jacks Point have been superb and will I'm sure host a wonderful and memorable event. We have good entries although we are understandably given the late venue change of venue down a little on what we might have expected at Pegasus. But triathletes and supporters can be assured of a great day, with a great course and the incredible backdrop of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu."
Features of the day include the clash of Maddie Dillon (Kristin School, Auck) and Mikayla Nielsen (Correspondence School) in the U19 girl's race. Both have shown great form of late, with Dillon racing at the Singapore Youth Olympics last year and Nielsen running down the field to win the National and Oceania U19 title in Wellington last month. Dillon won last year from Nielsen but that recent form suggests Nielsen is capable of reversing that on Thursday.
The U19 Boys race might be a little more open, with Troy McAlister (Central Southland College), Cooper Rand (St Kentigerns, Auck) and last year's bronze medallist Josh Kenyon (Taupo Nui-a-tia College) sure to be amongst the leaders.
There is one thing for sure that when athletes are representing their schools the intensity goes up a notch across all age groups from year 7 to U19, in particular for the afternoon teams racing session when school pride as well as individual honour goes on the line.
