It's renowned as one of the world's most scenic courses, and these photos of Braden Currie and Radka Kahlefeldt winning Challenge Wanaka make it hard not to agree.
There was no stopping Braden Currie or Radka Kahlefeldt on the run as the pair took their second Challenge Wanaka titles in impressive style on the weekend, claiming the Challenge Asia-Pacific Championships as well.
New Zealand’s Dylan McNiece led the way out of the water with countrymen Braden Currie and Mike Phillips close behind. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Neil KerrOnce out on the bike Currie found himself being challenged (pardon the pun) by Phillips, Great Britain’s Joe Skipper and Australia’s Matt Burton. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Neil KerrCurrie would come off the bike in fourth place. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Neil KerrThe Czech Republic’s Radka Kahlefeldt was just behind New Zealand’s Rebecca Clarke out of the water and then the two were neck and neck throughout the scenic bike course.New Zealand’s Hannah Wells battled on the bike to move into a close third before the start of the run. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Jemma WellsCurrie ran his way from fourth to first, taking the lead on the “Outlet Track.” Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Neil KerrKahlefeldt made quick work of both Clarke and Wells on the run and cruised to the win by over three minutes. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Jemma Wells“It is absolutely amazing today!” Currie said after the race. “Having been in Wanaka for 11 years now you just know everyone and it is phenomenal out on course. What an amazing community and it is great to be here!” Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Neil Kerr“It’s a beautiful course, but I think it’s better to not know the course because if you don’t know the hills that are waiting for you then you push harder,” Kahlefeldt said after the race. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Jemma WellsThe mens podium: (Matt Burton (AUS) 2nd, Braden Currie (NZL) 1st, Mike Phillips (NZL) 3rd.) Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Neil KerrHannah Wells (L), Radka Kahlefeldt, and Meredith Kessler, who ran her way past Rebecca Clarke to round out the podium. Photo: Challenge Wanaka/ Jemma Wells
You can find results from last weekend’s Challenge Wanaka / Challenge Asia-Pacific Championships here.
