Tahiti comes to Whanganui

Tahiti team coming to Whanganui this month. Left, Matahiarii Bodin, 15, Matthieu Morel, 16, Lou Hahn, 15, Vianney Videau, 16, Lilian Ferry, 16, Kiara Armour Lazzari, 14. Absent: Mathilde Soulon, 17.

It is not only the Kiwi flag that will be flying when Whanganui hosts the David Jones Suzuki NZ Schools Triathlon Championships in just under a fortnight.

As well as hundreds of secondary school children from around the country, there will be a team of seven sent over by the Tahiti Triathlon Federation to gain international racing experience.

"We will arrive in New Zealand on March 23 where we will spend five days in Taupo for a final training camp before heading to Whanganui," said Bernard Costa, the federation's vice president.

"The team has been training hard and are very excited to race at the event. This is the first time our athletes will compete in a Triathlon event outside of our island."

The national event will be held on March 30-31 and will bring an influx to the town of not only the athletes but also their families and supporters.

"We are excited by the fact Whanganui is hosting such a major event and it's fantastic to see the community collaborating to make it all happen," said Adam Gosney, Sport Whanganui's general manager.

Sport Whanganui are the organisers in partnership with Whanganui District Council and the Whanganui Triathlon Club.

Thursday, March 30 will feature participants competing in the individual and team triathlons, while the Friday comprises the aquathlon and tag team triathlon.

Sport Whanganui are grateful to those who have so far put their hand up to volunteer for the event and would welcome anyone else interested in volunteering.

Contact Ellie Heenan at Sport Whanganui on 06 349 2318 or ellie@sportwhanganui.co.nz.