A flood is again heading towards Lake Wanaka - not a surplus
of water, but a deluge of triathletes arriving for Saturday's Challenge Wanaka
endurance race.
Fifteen hundred competitors with, on average, five
supporters each, are flowing into the town
for one of the biggest annual sporting events in Otago.
Challenge Wanaka organiser Victoria Murray-Orr estimates the
event is worth $6 million to the region in direct spending. And she says the
event also has a valuable indirect benefit.
''This year, we have magazines flying in from the United
States, from Europe and Australia to cover the event.
''One of those magazines is doing a feature on dream
destinations.
''Lake Wanaka Tourism couldn't afford to take out a six-page
advertising spread in that magazine but we get the editorial,'' she said.
Wanaka Chamber of Commerce chairman Alistair King agreed the
event put Wanaka on the map as a ''premium multisport destination''.
Putting on such a large event came with challenges, but it
contributed positively to the local economy, he said.
''We hope the businesses of Wanaka make the most of the
competitors and visitors in town to make a positive impact of their
profitability.''
Kai Whakapai Cafe co-owner Roger North expects to be ''mega
busy'' on race day.
He said with the exception of New Year's Day, when heavy
rain meant coffees were in hot demand, Challenge Wanaka was the biggest day of
the year for the business.
''It's huge for food and coffee and has no effect on
alcohol. They're all a fit bunch of people,'' Mr North said of his typical
clientele.
''What used to be the two busiest weeks of summer ... it
effectively extends it for a three-week period ... it's a very big deal for the
town financially.''
Extra staff will be rostered at the cafe to cope with the
influx on Saturday. Mr North, on the other hand, will be competing in a team in
the event, and his wife Shonagh will do the entire race as an individual for
the fourth time.
Ms Murray-Orr said the race's benefits included improvements
being made to the town's infrastructure and upskilling of volunteers in things
like first aid and traffic control.
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