Integrity Homes Challenge Wānaka organisers have confirmed a ‘showcase of events’ in Wānaka township on the eve of the 2022 Challenge Wānaka event in February.

The showcase includes the final leg of the Suzuki Triathlon NZ Elite Race Series with Olympic bronze medallist Hayden Wilde confirmed to compete.

“It is expected that his [Hayden’s] fellow Olympians and high-performance team will join him for this huge spectacle on the streets of Wānaka,” Challenge Wānaka organisers said in a statement.

Challenge Wānaka said feedback after the 2021 event was that the town’s businesses would like to see racing return to the streets of Wānaka and the community would like to relax in the bars and restaurants along the waterfront watching friends and family compete.

“We are super excited to be bringing racing back into town on Friday night of our Festival,” race director Bill Roxburgh said. 

“We hope this will bring a real buzz to the community, and allow even more people to get involved and get active, as well as bring extra business to the local economy.”

The Friday night showcase will see three events on the Wānaka waterfront including the Puzzling World Challenge Wānaka Mini, the New World Three Parks 3-9-3 sprint triathlon, and the elite race.

The Mini is for those five years and under, while the 3-9-3 is a shorter sprint triathlon for beginners and those getting back into triathlon.

In 2021 Challenge Wānaka moved its feature event, the Challenge Wānaka Half, from Wānaka to Glendhu Bay. Earlier this year organisers confirmed that the half will remain at Glendhu Bay but the bike leg would return to the traditional route through Wānaka.

Organisers also confirmed two new events; the Challenge Wānaka Cross Triathlon and Duathlon.

The 16th Challenge Wanaka Festival will be held from February 17-19, 2022. The event is organised by the Challenge Wanaka Charitable Trust and incorporates events to suit all abilities and ages.

Find out more about the new events and sign up to take part in Challenge Wānaka 2022 here.

PHOTO: Supplied