29th March 2017
The recently held Super League Triathlon not only attracted some of the world’s fittest athletes to the shores of Hamilton Island, it also attracted the attention of the world. Thanks to global television coverage of the event, the world was introduced to the beautiful Whitsundays and Hamilton Island chief executive officer Glenn Bourke couldn't have been happier.
"I thought it was an outstanding success. The standard of athletes - some of the best in the world - racing around a short course was a stunning spectacle. I think the TV coverage they managed to achieve internationally was incredible,” he said.
The benefits from the exposure are likely to be felt for years to come, with the beauty of Hamilton Island reaching millions of people in America and Europe through the coverage of the event. The television coverage showed the rest of the world just how much there is to admire in the region. The lush green of the vegetation, the sparkling blue of the Coral Sea – the spectacular nature of Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays was well and truly on show.
It wasn’t just the TV coverage that gave the region a boost. The event in general saw the island buzzing with activity. In fact, Hamilton Island accommodation was a sell-out. "We were full and very busy all week.” Mr Bourke said
Not a traditional swim, bike and run athletic event, the Super League Triathlon is positioned to be a game changer in the sport. Pitting some of the best triathletes from around the world across a number of unique short courses, athletes compete for big prize money in a closed league series. While the event aims to bring mainstream attention to triathlons as a sport, it also succeeded in bringing attention to Hamilton Island as an island destination thanks to incredible television broadcasts and live digital streaming.
