5th Challenge Wanaka goes this Saturday

Canada’s Luke Dragstra and Australia’s Belinda Granger, the inaugural Challenge Wanaka champions from 2007, will attempt to win the race again this coming Saturday at Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.

New Zealand’s Belinda Harper, who broke the women’s age group (35-39) record at Ironman Hawaii with a 9:44:19 clocking, is making her professional debut Saturday.

“We’re delighted to have both Belinda and Luke here looking to reclaim the titles they won five years ago,” said race director, Victoria Murray-Orr. “It’s also very exciting that Belinda Harper has chosen to make Challenge Wanaka her first race as a professional athlete following her record-breaking performance at Kona in October.”

Professional Start List

Male Pro

1 Keegan Williams  New Zealand

2 Petr Vabrousek  Czech Republic

4 Jimmy Johnsen  Danish

6 Luke Dragstra  Canadian

8 Courtney Ogden  Australian

9 Adam Holborow  Australian

10 Richard Thompson  Australia

11 Bevan McKinnon  New Zealand

12 Axel Reiser  German

13 Jamie Whyte  New Zealand

15 Josh Rix  Australian

Female Pro

52 Joanna Carritt  British

670 Belinda Granger  Australian

671 Belinda Harper  Australian