Wanaka will this Friday host an international and star studded Kiwi field of triathletes in the latest round of the Contact Tri Series.
The picturesque lakeside town hosts round three of the Contact Tri Series with the Friday night action getting the annual Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival underway with age group and elite racing over the 3:9:3 and sprint distances held on Friday from late afternoon into the evening.
The women's field has attracted some of New Zealand's best in local hope Nicky Samuels, Rotorua winner Maddy Brunton and former world number one Sam Warriner who will make a decision whether to race or not in the next few days.
For Samuels it will be her first hit out of the summer and she admits she is behind where she is typically at this time of the year.
"I started about a month later than I usually do and have just been ticking over, so I'm not sure where I am at. I had Christmas without the bike, doing the family thing at the beach so this race is just to see where I am at compared to the likes of Sam.
"I'll get a good guide on where I am this Friday and then see where I am going to go from there and what I need to do in the next month of training. Conditions haven't been ideal here this summer, it has been raining last two weeks and two days ago I was running in a dusting of snow up the mountain. Today was a beautiful summer day though so it is looking a little more settled."
Warriner meanwhile has had a busy time of it lately, getting married in late December and defending her Port of Tauranga Half Ironman title at Mount Maunganui on the weekend. The Whangarei based triathlete will make her decision about racing once in Wanaka, where she will be assisting with promotional activities over the weekend.
Teenage sensation Brunton has been the form athlete of the summer so far, winning in Rotorua and finishing a creditable second behind Ironman legend Jo Lawn in Whangamata.
Adding some international flavour in the men's Contact Cup race is Andreas Giglmayr from Austria. The 26 year old is heading across the Tasman from his Brisbane training base to test his preparation in the elite Contact Cup race over the sprint distance (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).
Other confirmed starters in the men's race include local favourite Tony Dodds who will be looking to go one better than his runner up finish last year when out sprinted by Ryan Sissons while James Elvery also races for the first time this summer in what is looming as a very even field with Lee Greer, Dylan McNeice and U19 southerner Aaron Barclay all threats.
Event Director Haidee Stratford says spectators are in for a treat and is crossing her fingers that the weather puts on a better show after last year's thunder storms.
"Wanaka is such a stunning location and the support of the local council, community and businesses has been fantastic. Last year the weather threatened to ruin the show with the heavy rain and thunderstorms turning racing into a question of survival rather than the spectacle we know it can be. I'm sure the weather gods will be kinder this year and help showcase the sport and the location to those watching live but also those watching nationwide on TV news."
Entries are open in all events online until 5pm Wednesday with late entries accepted in Wanaka, details are at www.triathlon.org.nz.
Start Times
Contact 3:9:3 - 2.30pm
Contact Trophy (Women) - 3.40pm
Contact Trophy (Men) - 5.20pm
Contact U19/Cup (Women) - 7pm
Contact U19/Cup (Men) - 8.10pm
More information, including course maps, is available from the Contact Tri Series Wanaka website.
