Race three of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) World Cup will be held on Hawke's Bay farmland in January 2013.
Over 200 athletes are expected to take part in the World Cup races in New Zealand starting with a middle distance event over intricate sand dunes on a coastal strip around Otaki and Waikanae. Race two is a sprint event based in Wellington City while race three will be a middle distance event over farmland between Rissington and Patoka to the west of Hastings.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says "Congratulations must go to members of the Hawke's Bay Orienteering Club who have worked so hard to bring this event to the region. This is the first time since 1994 that the World Cup has been raced in New Zealand."
Mr Yule says "These types of events are great for our accommodation providers, tourist attractions and retailers. January 2013 is going to be a massive time for Hastings District and we look forward to our visitors enjoying a positive experience during their stay."
"Race three of the World Cup will double as a round of the Oceania Championship and that should see a further 600 athletes come to the region. The venue for the races has been chosen with spectators in mind but will prove very challenging for the competitors, Mr Yule says."
Organisers are promising varied terrain for the three rounds which includes fast sand dunes, rolling farmland with bush and pine plantations, open farmland with intricate limestone rock and the urban setting of Wellington City.
The Hawke's Bay round will include a World Cup MODEL event on Saturday January 12th which also acts as race six of the Oceania Carnival. On Sunday January 13th, race three of the World Cup will be held which will double as race seven of the Oceania Carnival. The three races in New Zealand are compulsory events for anyone who is serious about contesting the overall world title.
Competitors and supporters will be invited to a prizegiving/farewell dinner to be held at the Hawke's Bay Opera House on Sunday January 13th 2013.
The Orienteering World Cup Carnival has become part of the recently released Hawke's Bay Regional Events Strategy. The strategy focuses on having different organisations work in collaboration and form partnerships to ensure Hawke's Bay is an event friendly destination. The orienteering event is a great example of this, with five organisations joining together to support and promote the event.
The organisations involved are Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Tourism Hawke's Bay, Hawke's Bay Orienteering Club and Sport Hawke's Bay.
Further details are available at www.oceania2013.co.nz.
