Wānaka multisport athlete and Coast to Coast champion, Simone Maier made it back to back wins, taking out the women’s individual race for the second year in a row at yesterday's (October 30) Challenge Wānaka Multi.

The race saw competitors kayak 25km across Lake Wānaka, before a 43km mountain bike followed by a 12km run.

“I had a good race and there were interesting conditions again,” Simone said. 

“It was a good turnout and I’m stoked it went ahead.”

Simone Maier on the mountain bike leg of the race 

In the men’s field Christchurch track athlete turned multisporter Angus Taylor, came out of nowhere on the run to take the win. 

“There is not much left in the tank that was an all out effort,” Angus said. 

“I felt reasonably good coming off the bike and enough to really push it on the run. And I managed to pass quite a few people and ended up in first which was surprising.”

Team OSM, including multisport legend Bob McLachlan, triathlete Mark Williams and Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka 2021 third placed pro Maeve Kennedy took the team’s first place. 

“I was fortunate enough to get the beautiful sunshine and flat conditions in the morning,” Bob said. “The paddle was Wānaka at its best. Absolutely fabulous.” 

Challenge Wānaka organisers said they were ‘thrilled’ that they managed to host a successful event under alert level 2 restrictions and are appreciative of the competitors, volunteers, supporters and staff’s efforts to keep each other safe. 

The Challenge Wānaka Multi is organised by the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust. A charitable trust which donates all profits to local charities and organisations, and subsidises youth, adaptive and community sports participation.

The annual Integrity Homes Challenge Wānaka Festival will be held from February 17-19, 2022.

Find full results of the Challenge Wānaka Multi here.

PHOTOS: Lennon Bright Photography / OSM Challenge Wanaka Multi