Port Douglas streets to buzz with Olympic hopefuls

TRIATHLON

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The 2021 Oceania Standard Distance Championship will be held on Saturday 12 June, followed by the 2021 Oceania Sprint Cup on Saturday 26 June. Image: Supplied.

Hot on the heels of the endurance busting Ironman, the Douglas Shire will play host to more than 100 Olympic triathlon hopefuls and support staff this week.

Australia and New Zealand’s top triathletes will contest the 2021 Oceania Standard Distance Championship on Saturday in Port Douglas, in the second Trans-Tasman triathlon event on Australian soil since COVID-19 stopped international racing last year.

After a long year of waiting, it’s crunch time for the 2021 summer Olympics this will be the final opportunity for athletes to accrue points towards their Olympic qualification ranking.

The 2021 Oceania Standard Distance Championship will be held on Saturday 12 June, followed by the 2021 Oceania Sprint Cup on Saturday 26 June.

The two races will provide athletes from both sides of the ditch a valuable opportunity to test their skills under hot and humid conditions, mimicking those expected in Tokyo this July.

Changed traffic conditions, what you need to know

Port Douglas Rd:

  • Closed between Macrossan and Mahogany Streets.
  • Diversion in place via Mudlo Street, Davidson Street & Mahogany Street.

 The following streets will also be closed:

  • Mowbray Street – between Port Douglas Road to the Esplanade
  • Esplanade
  • Macrossan Street -between Esplanade & Owen Street
  • Blake Street – between Port Douglas Road to Garrick Street
  • Garrick Street
  • Tide Street
  • Beryl Street
  • Sand Street

One-way traffic will be in place for:

  • Macrossan Street –between Wharf Street and Owen Street

JUNE 12 – The closure time is expected to be no longer than 7:00 am to 10:30 am.
JUNE 26 – The closure time is expected to be no longer than 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

To view course maps:

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO Tara Bennett will use this opportunity to better entice event organisers considering the region. Image: Supplied.

The destination for sports tourism

The region has a proven track record for staging world class sporting events with the future looking bright as potential opportunities make way to showcase high profile events in the lead up to Queensland’s bid for the 2032 Olympics.

Douglas Shire Council, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree and Tourism Tropical North Queensland will use this opportunity to develop event promotional content to use in discussion with event organisers considering the region.

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Chief Executive Officer Tara Bennett said the championship gave the town a chance to host a world-class sporting event.

“The destinations natural assets will provide a stunning backdrop to show some of the best athletes in the southern hemisphere that we have a fantastic destination to compete in.

“We hope this will position the destination to attract more of the lucrative sports tourism market going forward.

“The Aussie and Kiwi athletes will experience not only a fantastic course in the heart of Port Douglas, but they will also get a taste of world-class visitor experiences from the reef to the rainforest,” she said.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said hosting the event was an honour for Port Douglas.

“We have a very appealing environment for world class athletes to compete in.

“Hosting the Australian and New Zealand national triathlon teams is a unique and incredible honour for Douglas Shire,” he said.

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