Posted: September 20, 2007

Triathlon: International Team To Head Challenge Wanaka

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (September 20, 2007) – Challenge Wanaka today announced an international team to head the race on January 19, 2008. Wanaka-based event director, Victoria Murray-Orr is to be joined by Germany-based Felix Walchshöfer as race director. Mr Walchshöfer is also race director of Challenge Roth, the world’s largest triathlon and his expertise and professionalism is widely respected within the sporting world. Ms Murray-Orr, a director of Lake Wanaka’s EveNZ Consultancy, will head the team that will bring together the race for 2008, liaising closely with Mr Walchshöfer to ensure the race is enjoyed by athletes and spectators alike. “Having Felix as race director for Challenge Wanaka is fantastic for the event,” said Ms Murray-Orr. “Athletes can be confident that on race day they will be competing in an event that is fair, professionally run and with a great sporting ethos. The whole team will learn from Felix’s expertise which can only set the event in good stead for the future and we’re delighted to be working with him.” Mr Walchshöfer said he was delighted to be filling the role of race director and working with a strong local team. “Lake Wanaka is such a spectacular destination and I’m delighted to be working with local professionals who understand what’s needed to make an event work in this region,“ he said. “We work well together and have a very similar approach to the task in hand. It is important that the event is now run out of Wanaka with many of the local crew from 2007.” Challenge Wanaka is part of the global TEAMChallenge Series that includes events in Germany and France as well as New Zealand with more planned. Billed as the world’s most scenic ironman distance triathlon, it attracts top professional athletes from around the world and New Zealand to the stunning alpine setting of Lake Wanaka in New Zealand’s South Island. Next year’s race takes place on January 19, 2008. For further information and a full interview with Felix Walchshöfer and Victoria Murray-Orr, visit www.challenge-wanaka.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest