The honour of being the finale to the triathlon season falls this year to the Contact National Schools Championships, with the event to be held at Lake Karapiro from April 25th to 26th with teams and individuals set to do battle for national honours and school pride.
For the first time Triathlon New Zealand is taking an active role in promoting, running and administering the event and over time hopes to build a significant national event, one that might one day rival the Maadi Cup Rowing regatta at the same venue.
Triathlon New Zealand Sport Development Director Brendon Downey says the national body is committed to growing the sport within the school environment.
"Like a lot of sport at school, the success or otherwise of triathlon can depend largely on the enthusiasm and resource available, this is something that can vary hugely from school to school and year to year as teachers and parents move on.
"Triathlon New Zealand is focused on the long term success of the sport in schools and is working closely with the relevant authorities to put in place strong sustainable programmes to help schools resource coaching and event implementation.
"First though we must have a pinnacle event, one that all schools can aim for and target as the end result of their hard work and training. Tri NZ aims to work closely with the schools and athletes to create that event at Lake Karapiro each year with the long term goal to host one of the biggest annual sporting events on the schools calendar."
Lake Karapiro has been chosen for its existing infrastructure and the ability to host a triathlon in the one environment without major issues around traffic management and impact on urban areas.
The flat water that is perfect for on the water activities is also superb for triathletes as is the surrounding bike course and half road, half cross country run.
The event will receive the full treatment from Triathlon New Zealand's event team with technical, media and race management support across the weekend, providing the same level of service and professionalism that other national championship events receive.
Events over the two days will cater for individuals at Intermediate and Secondary Schools (year 7 to year 13 - 11 to 18 years) as well as the exciting new development of teams racing, something that featured prominently at the recent Sydney Youth Olympics.
Teams racing provides the opportunity for schools to show their depth but also for other athletes to contribute to racing over the weekend, adding further to the camaraderie and ‘team' aspect of the sport.
School Triathlon Nationals
Lake Karapiro
April 25th and 26th
Individual and Team events
Entries are open with details online at www.triathlon.org.nz
