06 October 2009 MOOLOOLABA TRIATHLON CONTINUES WITH ITU WORLD CUP

The Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival will continue its association in hosting a leg of the ITU World Cup Series at Mooloolaba in 2010. The Mooloolaba Triathlon has a long history in staging this event as part of the three day festival and is a vital component in the development of our elite athletes.

The announcement, made today by USM Events Managing Director Garth Prowd is recognition by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) of the outstanding success the World Cup has been at Mooloolaba for the past five years.

"USM Events has invested significantly in retaining the World Cup as part of the Mooloolaba Triathlon. This key international triathlon event assists our elite athletes develop against the world's best on home soil," Mr Prowd said.

Since 2005 the biggest names in world triathlon have competed at Mooloolaba and embraced the event as a key race in their early season preparation. The Mooloolaba ITU World Cup is perfectly positioned for international squads that call South East Queensland home for up to two months each year.

"Queensland has long been the home of triathlon in Australia, the climate, facilities are ideal for athletes to train," added Mr Prowd.

Since first securing the Mooloolaba ITU World Cup in 2005, USM Events, together with long term supporter Queensland Events, has implemented a long term business strategy to position Queensland as the home of triathlon in this region of the world.

In four years we have achieved our goals to build the Mooloolaba and Noosa Triathlons into Australia's most successful. We have continued to develop the festivals to appeal to broader audiences and competitors and both triathlons are now sell out events. We then delivered the 2009 ITU Triathlon World Championships from 9-13 September and were rewarded with the 'most successful' title since the inception back in 1989.

With the introduction this year of the new World Championship Series, the World Cup events take on new meaning with athletes securing vital global points as part of the ITU World Series of triathlon events.

"The World Cup series will play a crucial role in the development process of athletes and particularly as the primary way for young athletes to earn a starting place in the World Championship Series," MrProwd said.

The 2010 Mooloolaba ITU World Cup is on Sunday 28 March and is certain to see one of the best fields ever line up as a lead up to the first World Triathlon Series event in Sydney on April 11.