Auckland secures 2012 ITU World Championship final

Auckland will host the 2012 International Triathlon Union World Championship Series Grand Finals after beating bids from Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The Grand Finals are the most prestigious event and highlight to the eight-race World Championship Season.
Triathlon New Zealand Chief Executive Dave Beeche said hosting the event will have a positive economic impact in excess of $30 million and that up to $900,000 was awarded by the Major Events Development Fund for Triathlon New Zealand to host and deliver the event. Beeche explained âthis is recognition of our standing in the world of triathlon but also the many hours and resource put into planning to host such a prestigious and high profile global event.
âIn endorsing our bid the ITU is entrusting New Zealand with the biggest triathlon event on the calendar outside the Olympics, this is both a huge honour and responsibility, but one we and our event partners look forward to.�?
The Grand Finals will take place from 18th to 22nd October 2012. An associated test event will be held in late 2011 or early 2012 in Auckland.
This week has seen 17-year-old New Zealander Aaron Barclay become the first Youth Olympic Champion in the Triathlon event.

http://www.triathlon.org.nz/