CHALLENGE SERIES CANCELLED FOR 2010

CHALLENGE SERIES MAKES WAY FOR ESTABLISHED RACES AS TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA ADOPTS UNIFIED APPROACH 

Following a sweeping review and consultation with numerous industry bodies, Triathlon Australia has dissolved the existing Challenge Series format in favour of established races.

The decision comes on the back of last month’s Annual General Meeting that saw the election of a new President and Board determined to adopt a unified and cooperative approach for the betterment of the sport.

Triathlon Australia immediately sought input from its state triathlon associations, participants in the previous series, the TA high performance unit and engaged an experienced event director, Garth Prowd, as an external consultant to assist with a review of the series.

Triathlon Australia President, Peter Hedge, said making immediate and significant changes to the Challenge Series was the only responsible course of action that could be taken.

“It was clear from the review that the Challenge Series had failed to meet the organisation’s expectations and deliver on its original objectives,” Mr Hedge said. “The series, in its existing format, was not financially viable at this stage and faced significant logistical hurdles, so the Board has decided to withdraw from the series now in order to protect the interests of our members and the sport.”

This decision has led to four races in the 2010 calendar being cancelled. The cancelled races are Geelong on January 17, Hobart on February 14, Sydney on March 7 and Adelaide on March 20-21. Arrangements are already being made to advise those who have entered these races of the changes and to refund their entry fees.

Races in Canberra (January 24) will still go ahead on this date, though it will now be known as the Canberra Capital Triathlon and run by Triathlon ACT.

For those athletes wanting to qualify for the Australian age group team at the 2010 World Championships in Budapest, alternate selection races have already been identified. All other races previously nominated as selection races will continue as selection races, while Challenge Series qualifying races have been replaced by a number of established and locally run races in other states. Click here for a full list of selection races for both Sprint and Olympic Distance qualification.

The Australian championship races, which were to be held as part of the races in Adelaide have been reallocated, with the Age Group Olympic Distance Championships to be held as part of the Canberra Capital Triathlon on January 24. An announcement will be made shortly to confirm the locations of the Australian Age Group Sprint Distance Championships and Australian Age Group Duathlon Championships that were to also be held as part of the Adelaide Challenge.

Races in the 2XU Australian Junior Triathlon Series remain unchanged in Canberra and Wellington, while Hobart has been cancelled and an alternate race will be advised. The open elite series is now under review. The race in Queensland’s Raby Bay (February 28) is confirmed; however, the Hobart (February 14) and Sydney (March 7) races have been cancelled.

“These changes have not been made lightly and having now relieved itself of the Challenge Series, Triathlon Australia is free to implement pro-active initiatives that will lift the profile of the sport and its athletes, facilitate delivery of a unified race calendar, and improve services to our members,” Mr Hedge said.

“We regret that these changes will disrupt those few athletes who have already entered the cancelled events and TA will endeavour to assist these athletes to enter an alternate qualifying race should they have difficulty submitting entries at this late stage.”

The Board is confident this initiative is in the long term interests of the sport and the new Board of Triathlon Australia plans to work closely with its state associations, experienced race directors, our athletes and members to develop a collaborative approach and clear direction for a high profile national series in 2011 and beyond.    

For further information please contact:
TA Office - 02 9972 7999 or TriNSW Office

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why was the Challenge Series dissolved?

Following last month’s Annual General Meeting, the newly appointed President and new Board of TA requested an urgent review of the Challenge Series be undertaken. The review involved collaboration with the State Triathlon associations and the input from industry veteran, Garth Prowd. It became clear the Challenge Series was not financially viable in its current form and withdrawing from the series was the only responsible cause of action available to TA.

What does this mean for me if I have entered a Challenge Series race?

Everyone who has entered a Challenge Series race in any location will receive a full refund. Triathlon Australia will credit the amount to your nominated account. Notification of this will be sent to your nominated email once this has been done.

For those who have entered Canberra on January 24, races are still going ahead apart from the Sprint Distance Triathlon. This event will now be known as the Canberra Capital Triathlon and will be run by Triathlon ACT. Those who entered Canberra Challenge races will receive a full refund and will need to re-enter races in the Canberra Capital Triathlon. Please click here or visit www.triathlonact.com.au for details and entry. Unfortunately, we cannot transfer your original entry across on your behalf due to legal reasons.      

What are the qualifying races for those wanting to race in the 2010 world championships?

Click here for a full list of Sprint and Olympic Distance qualifying races for the 2010 world championships in Budapest.

On what basis were the qualifying races chosen?

In most cases, the existing state championships now act as the qualifying races. This was decided in consultation with the State Presidents, who were of the view that the timing of these races and emphasis placed on them ensured these races were worthy of world championship qualifying status. 

If I had entered a cancelled race and now want to transfer to another qualifying race but am having trouble doing so, what should I do?

Give the Triathlon Australia office a call on  (02) 9972 7999  (02) 9972 7999 . For those members who had entered a Challenge Series race, we will endeavour to do our best to place you in an alternate qualifying race. Hopefully, we can secure you a start.

Where are the Australian Age Group Triathlon Championships now being held?

The Australian Age Group Olympic Distance Championships will be held as part of the Canberra Capital Triathlon (formerly Canberra Challenge) on January 24. A venue for the Australian Age Group Sprint Distance Championships is yet to be confirmed. As was originally the case, double points are on offer for the Australian Championships. 

What’s happened to the elite series?

The elite series is now under review. Raby Bay (part of the Queensland Gatorade Series) on February 28, will go ahead; however, races planned for Hobart on February 14 and Sydney on March 7 have been cancelled. Dates and locations of any further races will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Does this affect the Australian Junior Triathlon Series?

Races in the 2XU Australian Junior Series will go ahead as scheduled in Canberra and Wellington. The race in Hobart (February 14) has been cancelled, with an alternate race to be advised. The Canberra race on January 24 remains the qualifying race for the Youth Olympic Games for those eligible.

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