WINTER GAMES NZ. Olympic gold medallist, Justyna Kowalczyk has confirmed her spot at next weekend's 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games Winter Triathlon joining a field of local athletes that also includes New Zealand Olympic biathlete, Sarah Murphy.

Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland competes in the Cross Country Sprint prologue during day two of the Winter Games NZ at Snow Farm on August 14, 2011 in Wanaka, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

Featuring a 6.8km run, 12km bike and 9.5km cross country ski, all on a hard-packed snow course at Snow Farm, the event is also open to age group athletes. The sport is new to Winter Games NZ, having been a demonstration sport at the 2009 event. Winter triathlons are an exciting sport and great for low impact, high intensity training over the cold winter months attracting a broad spectrum of athletes, from multi-sporters to triathletes.

"The winter tri adds a new dimension to triathlon," said Winter Games NZ CEO, Arthur Klap. "It's quite novel to be biking and running on snow, all at altitude and is great fitness and a lot of fun. It's great for spectators as well with a few thrills and spills!"

The event is part of the ITU Oceania Championships and athletes can enter at http://www.wintergamesnz.com/accounts/register

www.wintergamesnz.com
Fri, August 19, 2011 8:14 am