Napier has been unveiled as the new home of New Zealand’s popular stop on the World Triathlon Cup circuit and doubled down by also agreeing to host the Oceania Standard Distance Championships later this summer.
The picturesque Hawke’s Bay coastal city, famed for its world class wine, annual Art Deco Festival and Ranfurly Shield-holding rugby team, will transform into triathlon central at World Cup Napier on February 24-25, 2024.
In addition to hosting of the opening round of the globe-trotting 2024 World Triathlon Cup circuit on February 24, World Cup Napier will also incorporate the New Zealand Age Group Sprint Championships, part of the community focused Tri NZ Suzuki Series, the following day.
It means the spectacular two-day celebration of swim, bike and run is set to cater to hundreds of age group competitors as well as the world’s finest talent, promising a timely tourism boost for Hawke’s Bay in the aftermath of devasting Cyclone Gabrielle.
Tri NZ CEO Pete De Wet is pleased to lock the New Zealand component of a wider Oceania schedule into the World Triathlon calendar.
“We are delighted to be launching our ‘Triathlon Summer Series’ which includes the exciting new World Cup Napier. This promises to be a summer full of great elite racing as our athletes work towards the Paris Olympic Games,” De Wet said.
“We’re really thrilled to partner with Napier City Council to give New Zealand’s round of the Triathlon World Cup a new home for the next three years and our age group community an exciting new venue to race and experience. Not only does Hawke’s Bay boast a strong triathlon community, it’s also great that our sport will be contributing to a region that has had some real challenges in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.”
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise is delighted to add World Cup Napier and the Oceania Standard Distance Championships to the city’s portfolio of major events.
“Napier is the perfect destination for an event such as this. Our stunning natural environment, our beautiful climate, our warm and welcoming community, are all world-class reasons to visit,” Wise said.
“We are really pleased to have the World Triathlon Cup coming to us and we know that competitors, supporters and fans will all have a great experience here both on the circuit and in their down time.”
—– 2024 Triathlon Summer Series —-
February 16: Oceania Cup Wanaka
February 24-25: World Cup Napier
March 21-22: NZ Schools Championships – Tauranga
April 13: Oceania Standard Distance Championships – Napier
World Cup Napier 2024
Feb. 24
– Elite Men’s and Women’s individual races
– Oceania Junior (U19) Men’s and Women’s individual races
Feb. 25
– Tri NZ Suzuki NZ Age Group Sprint Championships
– World Cup Napier Mixed Relay
– Oceania Junior (U19) Mixed Relay Championship
First published by SCOOP. Click here to read the full article.