New World Tour de Wakatipu 2013
The Queenstown Bike Festival is now just around the corner, and with it comes one of its star event, the New World Tour de Wakatipu.
Now in its fifth year, the event attracts elite and sports riders from all of the South Island and beyond, but also your everyday pedaller and whole families with whiz kids as young as 11 years old.
Part of the event’s attraction is the stunning beauty of the course itself, at times breathtaking with the autumn leaves turning to gold along the Cone Peak station side of the Kawarau river. It is also varied, and provides two lengths to adequately suit different ability and skills level.
Another reason why it is a great event to partake in is for its atmosphere, both on the course and its start at Millbrook Resort but paticularly so at the finish line at Chard Farm:
Spectators cheer on the competitors at the old Kawarau bridge and in Frankton.
Competitors and supporters mingle in the early hours of the Saturday morning, coffee in hand, while they go through registration, catch up with old friends, and refuel on fruits and other goodies provided by New World Wakatipu and other sponsors.
Of course there is also musician Mathurin Molgat and singer Jessie Coutts from Beach, food stalls manned by local providers, wine and beer to cater for the hungry and thirsty riders at the beautiful venue that Chard Farm is.
Finally it is the people themselves, with gifted racers happily sharing the course with the sunday rider, young and not so young. Friends ride alongside each other and entire families, parents, children, grand parent, share the glory as they cross the finish line. And this year we have introduced a run section from the bottom of the Remarkables to Chard Farm, once again on that exclusive road along the Kawarau – simply stunning and all good to go for the avid runner.
We have now everything in place for the upcoming event, all you need to do is take part.
The low down…
RACE DATE: Saturday 30th March 2013
ENTRY FEE:
Online entries close on Wednesday 27th March, 5pm, and you cannot enter on the day
For all entries $5 of each entry goes to Cure Kids.
NZ$75 per person
NZ$45 Junior (19 years and under).
$200 Family pass (2 adults, 2 children under 14yrs old)
Run option:$45 per person
DIVISIONS
Recreational: for racers who wish to have a good fun ride. 36kms
Sport: for racers who wish a longer challenge, and a decent ride. 45kms
Elite: for the fast and furious, 45kms
AGE GROUPS
Age on race day
Junior 14 – 19yrs
Note: we accept younger riders on abilities. Contact us if needed.
Open 20 – 39yrs
Veteran 40 – 49yrs
Master 50 – 59yrs
Master + 60+yrs
RUN DIVISIONS
Junior: up to 16yrs old, male and female category
Open: 17 to 39yrs old, male and female category
Veteran: 40 plus, male and female category
THE BIKE COURSE
Starting in the Millbrook area competitors will descend via the Queenstown Trails to Speargrass Flat Rd, ascend Slope Hill Road, descend via lower Shotover Rd and Domain Rd onto the scenic single track that follows the true left bank of the Shotover River. Across the restored Shotover Bridge to the Shotover delta before joining the Kawarau river track and then across the Kawarau River Bridge. One kilometre of highway riding will have the riders approach the scenic and private Kawarau River Road down the true right bank. A gently undulating ride will bring riders to the finish line at the Chard farm winery with bbq and band.
THE MERRELL RUN COURSE
On leaving the start line, the exclusive run course descends to almost Kawarau River level, and from then on rolls up and over the river terraces, crosses the Rastus Burn, and climbs to the finish line at Chard Farm.
EVENT INFORMATION
The event will be run primarily on the Queenstown Trails tracks (for bikers), but also public roads and Shotover Riverside tracks and roads. The section along the banks of the Kawarau, which will be used by riders and runners, is on private property. There is absolutely no access permitted on any of the privately owned property of Cone Peak Station along the side of the Kawarau prior to the event.
SPOT PRIZES
All competitors are eligible for spot prizes. Check our tent to see if you have won a Spot Prize and simply collect it. Please ensure you have a sober driver with you if you choose to drink alcohol. Also be mindful if you are driving ensure you only consume a moderate amount of alcohol and eat plenty of food while you are drinking. Be sensible in this regard. We do not advocate drink driving.
For all other Bike Festival info go to the web site – http://www.queenstownbikefestival.com.
A big thank you first to our main sponsors New World Wakatipu
New World Wakatipu owners and operators have been behind the event from day one, providing vital support to the event and supplying you all with fresh fruits at the start line, great products both in the entry packs and at the finish line to vouchers for prizes.
You will also see John, Mary and Nicola Thompson, and Michelle and Anthony King on their bikes or in their running shoes participating and “walking the walk” so to speak.
“New World Wakatipu is proud to be associated with the New World Tour de Wakatipu for the fifth year.” says Michelle.
“It’s exciting to see this event well supported by cyclists of all ages and abilities and to now be able to add runners to the mix of competitors.”
“Get your entries in now and ensure you are at the start line on Saturday 30 March to collect your New World Wakatipu voucher, it can be redeemed instore for some post-race Easter treats.”
Thank you also to Konica Minolta, R&R Sport, Classic Hits, Lakes Leisure, Remarkables Park and Millbrook for their support, and don’t forget Cure Kids and the Wakatipu Trails Trust: you can help these great organisation raising funds by entering, donating, and becoming friends of the Trust.
Wed 6th Mar, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
