Braden Currie is considered a pre-race favourite in a loaded field stacked for the Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships…

SNOWY MOUNTAINS, NSW—The popularity of Cross Triathlon is on an upswing with more and more athletes from around the world taking to the lakes and trails for off-road triathlon with Australia’s TreX Series leading the way. This year, TreX kicks off 2015 with the inaugural Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships to be held in the iconic Snowy Mountains in New South Wales over the final weekend in February (28 Feb – 1 March) and New Zealand’s Braden Currie is targeting the NZ$42,000 prize purse.

World Multisport Champion Currie is fresh off a second place finish to three-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander (AUS) at the Port of Tauranga half ironman in early January, and claimed the New Zealand long course title in the process as the first elite male Kiwi to cross the line.

Currie’s long time friend and rival Ben Allen (AUS) expects Currie to be a major threat for the Oceania title, which serves as one of three qualifying rounds in Australia for the World Cross Triathlon Championships in 2015 to be held in Sardinia, Italy on 26th September, 2015.

<p”>“Most definitely the level of the competition will be very stiff, especially with the international competitors,” said Allen, a 14-time Xterra champion, who finished third at the Australian Cross Triathlon  Championships in December.

“One of my good friends and rivals Braden Currie is definitely one to keep an eye out for. Braden and I have a serious rivalry and we are currently tied at one win apiece in head-to-head competition.Coming into that race I expect him to be the toughest competitor,” continued Allen on the former adventure race world champion and a top three finisher at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in Germany last year.

For the event, TreX has announced that both Allen (AUS) and Jacqui Slack (GBR) will be serving as race ambassadors for the elite race on February 28, which consists of a 1500m swim, 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run in the stunning vicinity of the Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa in the picturesque Snowy Mountains, NSW.

“I just love mountain biking and being outdoors,” said Currie, a Methven native who will be racing the Coast to Coast and Challenge Wanaka leading up to Oceania Championship. “Mountain running is my speciality and always been my strength running off road.”

“I live near Wanaka and I hear that the Oceania swim leg is in Lake Crackenback which is this awesome little alpine lake.  I am used to swimming in a massive cold water lake at some altitude so I think that will really suit me.

“I invite everyone back home in New Zealand, whether they are elite athletes, age groupers or families looking for a fun and challenging weekend, to come join me in the Snowy Mountains for a fantastic weekend of racing – it’s going to be a can’t miss race for sure.”

The Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships is one of three events in Australia that are qualifying rounds for the World Cross Triathlon Championships in 2015 to be held in Sardinia, Italy on 26th September, 2015. For more information on participating in this year’s event, please go to www.trextriathlon.com.au

The Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

About the Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships:

The Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships is a Continental Championships awarded by the Oceania Triathlon Union (OTU), and is one of three events in Australia that are qualifying rounds for the World Cross Triathlon Championships in 2015 to be held in Sardinia, Italy on 26th September, 2015.

The race will be hosted at Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa in the spectacular Snowy Mountains (NSW), featuring the trails, rivers, hills, lakes and bushland of this iconic region. The Championships includes events for the entire family, while the feature race consists of 1500m swim, 30km XC mountain bike and 10km trail run. For more information about the event visit the event website HERE

About TreX:

For seven years TreX has positioned itself as the pinnacle of the cross – or off-road – triathlon racing series in the Asia-Pacific region. Presented by the premier outdoor adventure event specialists In2Adventure, TreX consists of an open water swim, mountain bike leg and trail run. While each TreX event features an elite category with industry-leading prize purses, including $10,000 for the Australian Cross Triathlon Championships and $40,000 for the Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships, the TreX Cross Triathlon national series invites participation from all ages and skill levels. For more information visit TreX here.

About In2Adventure:

In2Adventure are Asia-Pacific’s premier adventure event specialists. With a full calendar of national events scheduled throughout Australia, including adventure races, cross triathlon, XC mountain bike, trail runs and corporate events, In2Adventure fully embraces all things ‘off road’ and ‘off the beaten track’ and offers a unique, individual experience for all ages and skill levels. For more information and upcoming events visit the TreX website here.

Other Upcoming Events (2014/15):

• Snowies MTB Stage Race – Snowy Mountains, NSW, 21/22 February 2015
• TreX Cross Triathlon Championships – Sunshine Coast, QLD, 2/3 May 2015

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Photo Credit: Courtesy In2Adventure

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Aaron S. Lee
Media Manager | Public Relations
+61 415 763 293
Aaron@in2adventure.com.au