Olympian enters Rotorua event

Blue Lake Multisport Festival

A former world number one will contest for the title of Queen of the Lake at this weekend's Eves Blue Lake Multisport Festival.

Olympian Sam Warriner has confirmed her entry into the festival, which consists of six events over two days, with an event option for everyone in the family.

There is an aquathon and kids triathlon on Saturday morning, a 2km and 750m open water swim on Saturday evening, and a sprint triathlon and fun run/walk on Sunday morning.

New for 2014, is the Meat Shoppe Kids Triathlon for primary and intermediate aged children. The entry fee is $5, with all kids receiving a free sausage sizzle after the race plus a chance to win one of the many spot prizes.

The King and Queen of the Lake titles are awarded to the fastest male and female competitors across the aquathon, 2km swim and the sprint triathlon. Favourite contenders for the King of the Lake title this year are local Rotorua triathlete Matt Parsonage, who recently won the Rotorua Half Ironman and former King of the Lake winner Owen Miller from Mount Maunganui.

In the women's field, Steffie Holcroft of Hamilton will be looking to take out the Queen of the Lake title after placing second last year. Warriner will give her a run for the money, entering the Queen of the Lake Series after completing the Auckland 70.3 on Sunday as part of her comeback from a hamstring injury. The King and Queen of the Lake are awarded $500, a prestigious trophy and a jade pendant donated by Mountain Jade.

"The Blue Lake Multisport Festival has always been one of the hidden gems of the annual triathlon calendar, loved by everyone involved," says event organiser Charlotte Pearson said.

"It is great to see the range of participants that compete in the event, from beginners through to elite triathletes."

The Blue Lake will be open to recreational swimmers all weekend, however closed to boats from 4pm until 6.30pm Saturday afternoon and from 7.30am until 9.30am on Sunday morning.

Online entries are open until midday Thursday at www.rats.org.nz. On the day entries are accepted at registration but include a $10 late fee.