TRIATHLON

Excitement Grows with 100 Days Until Australia Hosts the ITU Cross Triathlon World Champs

By In2Adventure

In just over three months’ time the very best of the world’s ‘off road athletes’ will descend upon the spectacular Snowy Mountains in New South Wales to compete for the ultimate title as the ITU Cross Triathlon Champion of the World.



With preparations in their final phases, the stage is set for the Snowy Mountains to host what organisers plan to be the biggest triathlon party this side of the equator.  The Snowy Mountains Region is set to welcome over 2000 athletes and visitors to the region from across the world in the 11 day MultiSport Festival that kicks off with the opening ceremony in Jindabyne on Thursday 17th of November and closes with the 5 stages of the Snowies Mountain Bike festival on the 27th of November.   

Athletes will be visiting the area from all corners of the globe including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland and USA to name just a few, but the biggest competition will be between host nation Australia and their Trans-Tasman counterparts New Zealand with both countries fielding sizeable teams for the events. 

Robyn Lazenby, Event Director from In2Adventure who won the bid to bring the world championships to Australia, said “as this is the first time in the event’s history that it has been awarded to a country in the southern hemisphere, it presents a unique opportunity for athletes from the Asia Pacific region to take part, without the significant travel and costs that are usually involved.  And we all know that the Aussie spirit shines bright when representing their country in any sport, but it positively burns when Aussies get a chance to represent their country in the green and gold on home soil. 

We have some amazing off road athletes in Australia with the likes of Ben Allen, Erin Densham, Courtney Atkinson, Max Neumann and Penny Hosken, to name just a few, but we also recommend keeping an eye on our ‘Young Guns’ such as Dean Cane, Georgia Silvestri, Callum Kingston and Snowy Mountains local Lachie Harrigan who have raced their way up through the TreX pathway since its inception 10 years ago, from Dirt Kids, to Juniors, to Sprint distance and now to represent their country at the world championships.  It’s an amazing achievement and it’s going to be a tremendous showcase for our Aussie talent.”

When asked about the New Zealand team and the traditional Trans-Tasman rivalry it was clear that this event will be no different, “With New Zealand just a short hop across the ditch, a big team will be lining up with a lot national pride on the line and the competition will be strong.  Add to that mix the very best athletes from the rest of the world and it’s going to mean some tremendous competition and celebrations right here in the Snowy Mountains in November,” Robyn said.

The world champs is coupled with three days of action at the Snowies Mountain Bike Festival from 25th to 27th November where riders tackle five diverse mountain bike stages across the three days of action throughout the Snowy Mountains.  Many overseas and local riders have lined up for the double dose of off road action, taking part in both events - including Welsh MTB Champion Ruth Owen-Evans and American Tamara Donelson.

The 2016 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships was secured for the Snowy Region by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Member for Monaro, John Barilaro said: “Excitement is building in the Snowy region. The event promises to showcase our beautiful area to a global audience, and I look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best athletes to Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa in November.”

Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, the host venue for the World Championships, General Manager Anthony Cleary said the international athletes will receive a true taste of Australian culture when they compete in the Snowy Mountains.



Starting at an altitude of 1132m above sea level, the course will present a unique challenge to competitors with Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko as the backdrop and event organisers In2Adventure “look forward to welcoming the many competitors and friends and family from all nations who will be joining us in Australia’s Premier Adventure Playground in 100 days’ time”.

The ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships and MultiSport Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW and sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union the sole worldwide governing body of the sport of triathlon.