Retailer backlash prompts triathlon review

Triathlon New Zealand will conduct a review of its commitment to Wanaka in the wake of a backlash from retailers in the resort who oppose road closures for the annual Contact Tri Series Cup race.

A meeting between Challenge Wanaka representative Victoria Murray-Orr and the Wanaka Community Board has considered about 43 submissions made by retailers, volunteers and athletes involved with the event.

Community board chairman Lyal Cocks said the existing road closures and race course were unlikely to be supported for next year's event.

Triathlon NZ CEO Dave Beeche said, when contacted, he was unaware the course for the Wanaka leg of the event would have to be altered for the event to secure the backing of the community.

"We view the course as an ideal one for our triathletes, spectators and in terms of the media promotion which it gives the sport and Wanaka," he said.

Mr Beeche would not rule out the possibility the event could move from Wanaka, but he wanted a proper briefing and would wait for a review of the national tri series before a final decision is made by Triathlon NZ.

Other cities and towns around New Zealand were interested in hosting similar events, but Triathlon NZ was "really happy" with the exposure and event participation in Wanaka, he said.

Triathlon NZ has held two Contact Tri sprint races in Wanaka in the past two years as part of the week-long Challenge Wanaka triathlon festival.

Several retailers on Helwick and Dunmore Sts have complained that the event and its associated Friday afternoon road closures adversely affect their businesses.

"A lot of retailers feel that the road closures in Helwick and Dunmore Sts are counter-productive," Mr Cocks said.

Board members had asked Mrs Murray-Orr to come up with an alternative race course, he said.

Mrs Murray-Orr said the event had grown "very quickly in popularity".

Both she and Mr Cocks said they would be disappointed if it went elsewhere.