Taupo, at the end

Taupo - the final destination of one of triathlon’s longest seasons in history. It’s been a year packed full of events: the Paris Olympics, which will be remembered for the landmark swim in the Seine and an epic final duel; then history was made in Kona, which held an event exclusively for men for the first time, as did Nice its first exclusive women’s event. We also saw, for the first time, a worldwide 100km-long tour, which brought together the biggest triathletes, and we bid farewell to one of the stars who really shone through in the three disciplines of the sport. It’s certainly been a long year - but it will go down in history. 

Triathlon takes us to its end of season final in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, a destination with wondrous nature and cultural charm. Its main gem, the Taupo lake, is the biggest lake in the country, which was formed more than 26,000 years ago following the most powerful volcanic eruptions recorded in history. This breathtaking setting, surrounded by majestic mountains and thermal springs, has made Taupo an iconic location for adventurers and sport enthusiasts alike. In addition, its warm climate and well-prepared infrastructure makes it the ideal location for world class sporting events. Taupo is not only a natural refuge but also a vibrant hub where Newzealander hospitality and a passion for the sport converge in a unique way. 

The location unites triathletes who have come together for the last World Championship of the year, with a distance of 70.3km, consisting of a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run.

The race is one of the tour’s most picturesque, with a swim in the lake’s crystalline waters; a rectangular-shaped route, to be swum in an anticlockwise direction. There’s a long transition with a climb taking you up to where the bikes are waiting. The cycle stage is fast and mostly flat, with a small initial ascent, after which the course is predominantly downhill for 10km and then remains flat or gently sloping until the return point. The route back involves climbing a significant 170m in elevation, usually in headwinds. On the way back to the village, there’s a steep descent, -10% in 500m, with a well-marked sharp turn at the end. The test ends with three laps of the running circuit, which, despite being described as flat, has a gentle ascent, totalling a 90m variation in elevation by the end of the 21km. The course crosses Taupo’s main street, close to areas usually packed with people, making the race a spectacle for both athletes and those who come to support and enjoy this great event. 

At this last event there’ll be a big appearance from the Orca Team. The girls will start a day before, on December 14th. Ashleigh Gentle and Paula Findlay, with bib numbers 4 and 5, are two of the favourites after two incredible seasons. Ashleigh was runner-up at the first T100 World Tour, but both are long-distance specialists. Hanne de Vet and Lizzie Rayner will be alongside them. 

On Sunday 15th, it’s the men’s turn. Our Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde will compete on home turf and is a favourite, which is definitely a wonderful occasion to conclude an important year, in the company of family and fighting for the title. He will share the starting line with Josh Amberger, Justus Nieschlag and Kristian Hogenhaug.