Cycle race event organiser fined

Christchurch cycle race organiser Astrid Andersen has been fined $10,000 for her part in the death of cyclist Vanessa Caldwell in the 2001 Le Race from Akaroa to Christchurch.

The fine followed her conviction for criminal nuisance at Christchurch District Court in August. 

Since the conviction Andersen has claimed the decision is an attack on amateur sport in New Zealand and has called for donations to a fighting fund to enable her to overturn her conviction.

Following the court case,the long-running Nelson multisport event has been cancelled. Green MP and multisport veteran Mike Ward said it was "inevitable" that the conviction and sentence would change the face of grassroots sporting events in New Zealand.

Ward has cancelled the Nelson Iron Person, an event he has been running for 22 years, for fear of what could happen if someone is injured during the race, stating "I suspect the big events will continue. The ones we have to worry about are the smaller-scale events, run by clubs with limited money who go in and have a good time."

A feature, 'The End of Events?' was published in the August/September 2003 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

Image used for illustrative purposes only.