Three-time world champion, Sebastian Kienle (GER), has confirmed his place on the start line at the first Challenge Family race of 2023 – New Zealand’s Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka on 18 February. Challenge Wanaka marks the start of his year-long ‘retirement tour’ visiting his bucket list races before finishing his career as professional athlete at the end of 2023.
Kienle is joined on the start line by a predominantly Australian/New Zealand field including Matt Burton, recently third at IM Western Australia, a race he won the year before, plus he placed second at Wanaka in 2020 and third in 2019. Also in the mix is Jack Moody, fresh from his win at Taupo, Caleb Noble, who had three podiums to his name in 2022 including a second at Challenge St Pölten and a third at Challenge Malta, and the up-and-coming Sam Osbourne plus Matt Kerr, one of the best AG athletes in the world who is turning pro in 2023.
The women’s field is headed by Rebecca Clarke who calls Wanaka home for much of the year, giving her a strong home-town advantage. Plus she was in the form of her career in 2022 including a win in Tauranga, a second at IM Australia and most recently third in the Taupo 70.3 plus solid performances in both Roth and Hawaii. Her main competition will come from Australia, Grace Thek, who had no less than five podiums in 2022, including a second at Challenge St Pölten. They are joined by Courtney Gilifan and Samantha Kingsford who will also both be aiming for a podium finish.
The Challenge Wanaka course without doubt favours those strong on the hills, both on the bike, which has a vertical gain of over 490m, and the run which is entirely off road on the trails of the Bike Glendhu mountain bike park and climbs 368m over the two-lap course. Renowned as the world’s most scenic triathlon, Challenge Wanaka is set in New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps on the edge of the Te Wahi Pounamu World Heritage Area and attracts close to 3,000 athletes across a range of events for all ages and abilities as part of the Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival from 17-18 February. For further information, visit www.challenge-wanaka.com.
MALE PRO:
1 Sebastian Kienle GER
2 Jack Moody NZL
3 Caleb Noble AUS
4 Matt Burton AUS
5 Mike Phillips NZL
6 Sam Osborne NZL
7 Fraser Walsh AUS
8 Matt Kerr NZL
9 Kieran Storch AUS
10 Guy Crawford NZL
11 Simon Billeau FRA
12 Scott Harpham NZL
13 Jayden Kuijpers NZL
14 Tom Somerville NZL
FEMALE PRO:
25 Rebecca Clarke NZL
26 Grace Thek AUS
27 Els Visser NLD
28 Samantha Kingsford NZL
29 Courtney Gilfillan AUS
30 Lotte Wilms NLD