Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack has set his sights on a new course record in January’s mega-triathlon, Challenge Wanaka, which takes place in New Zealand.
The record-breaking triathlete will aim to hit his season high ahead of fellow Australian, Aaron Farlow, and domestic hero, Jamie Whyte.
McCormack is the ITU Long Distance World Champion and has broken the magic eight-hour iron distance four times. He is aiming to top the podium at his “second home”:
“I grew up in New Zealand, every school holidays we were there, I still have a lot of family in New Zealand, and to this day travel on both an Australian and a New Zealand passport. New Zealand holds a special place in my heart as it is the home of my mother, so returning to race in Wanaka will be very nice for me. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 1999, and Wanaka was where my mother and father had their honeymoon. It is a special part of the world for me. I would really like to do something special at this race for these very reasons.”
The women’s frontrunner & Kiwi, Gina Crawford, is tipped to lead the women’s field. She has been training in Lake Wanaka ahead of the race on 19th January 2013:
“I just love racing Challenge Wanaka with the scenic and challenging course and am especially looking forward to the changed bike course this year with the double loop encompassing the best parts of the former course. I am excited to be coming back and will be working hard in the coming months in an attempt to take my fifth title”.
Challenge Wanaka is part of New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival involving over 2,000 participants that runs from 13-19 January. Other highlights include the Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka on 13 January, the Radio Wanaka 5km Charity Fancy Dress Fun Run, and the Contact Tri Series Contact Cup featuring the country’s top short course athletes on Friday 18 January.
