Challenge Family has made a decisive return to North America with today\u2019s announcement of the major new middle distance race, SAIL Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec powered by Argon 18, set in the heart of the Canadian UNESCO World Heritage city.<\/p>\n
Set to take place on 19-21 July 2024, SAIL Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec will bring the athlete-centric focus for which Challenge Family is renowned to North America with a true festival of triathlon. Events for all ages and abilities over a variety of distances will make up the weekend, culminating in the flagship middle distance race led by a world-class professional field.<\/p>\n
The arrival of Challenge Family on the Canadian calendar has been welcomed by the triathlon community, with top Canadian professional athlete, Lionel Sanders commenting, \u201cI am very excited to hear the announcement of the new Challenge Family race in Qu\u00e9bec.\u00a0Every time I go to Qu\u00e9bec it feels like I am at a hometown race and the support is overwhelming.\u00a0\u00a0From the description of the event it is promising to be quite picturesque and lends itself to be extremely spectator friendly!\u00a0You\u2019re going to want to add this one to your summer race calendar!\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow Canadian professional, Paula Findlay, was also excited by the news. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to hear of the new Challenge Family race in Qu\u00e9bec, Canada next year,\u201d she said. \u201cOpportunities to race in my home country don\u2019t happen very often, and they always have an extra special feel. The home country advantage is real, and the crowd support at Canadian races is unreal. I have no doubt that Challenge will put on a world class event at this brand new venue, with a spectacular backdrop. Hope to see you there!\u201d<\/p>\n
The SAIL Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec middle distance course promises to showcase the best of the city and its surroundings. The event kicks off with a 1.9km swim in Bassin Louise, surrounded by yachts and the charming old-town Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n
The bike course, a four-lap, 90km route, is historic in its own right, as it marks the first time the highway will be closed this long for an event. Athletes will experience an out-and-back ride along the St Lawrence River, featuring picturesque views of \u00cele d’Orl\u00e9ans and the city.<\/p>\n
Returning to T2, the run takes participants on a flat course through 400 years of history in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Athletes will explore Qu\u00e9bec City along quays 21 and 22 of the port, followed by a scenic run along the Rivi\u00e8re Saint-Charles, offering breathtaking vistas of \u00cele d’Orl\u00e9ans, the St Lawrence River, and its many boats. The race concludes at the Port of Qu\u00e9bec Agora, an awe-inspiring location on the banks of the St Lawrence River, with a panoramic view of the iconic Ch\u00e2teau Frontenac.<\/p>\n
“What a privilege, honour and joy it is to organise such a major sporting event in the magnificent city of Qu\u00e9bec, an event that will bring the community together around a passion for endurance sport, physical activity and the great outdoors!\u201d said Dominique Pich\u00e9, race director of SAIL Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec. \u201cI hope SAIL Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec, powered by ARGON 18, will quickly become a source of great pride for the people of Qu\u00e9bec City, so they can enjoy taking part as athletes, supporters, spectators, volunteers or stakeholders in the organisation.”<\/p>\n
“Athletes have been asking us for many years when we will return to North America, but it was important for us to wait for the right time, the right destination, and the right partner,” said Challenge Family CEO, Jort Vlam. “We believe we’ve found all of that with SAIL Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec, and we can’t think of a more fitting location to make a memorable return to North America. We look forward to working with Dominique and the city of Qu\u00e9bec to build Challenge Cap Qu\u00e9bec into one of the region\u2019s premiere sports events.”<\/p>\n