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Queensland has confirmed its growing status in triathlon by capturing one of the world’s most prestigious IRONMAN events from Melbourne.

The announcement that the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship will be held in Cairns for the next three years came following Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones met with representatives of IRONMAN in Wuhan today (20th November) while on a tourism mission in China, confirming the deal for Queensland.

Melbourne had hosted the event since 2012.

Minister Jones stated “I am delighted the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship will become an extension to the highly successful Cairns Airport Adventure Festival for the next three years.

“This is all part of (a) commitment to grow investment and create jobs in Far North Queensland.

“Queensland and Cairns have the perfect all-year climate for major triathlon and sporting events, with the IRONMAN Asia Pacific ironman expected to grow the economic impact of the Cairns Adventure Festival beyond the $10 million it generated earlier this year.”

Cairns joins Nelson Bay (South Africa), Texas (USA) Florianopolis (Brazil) and Frankfurt (Germany) among the only five IRONMAN Asia Pacific Regional Championships globally.

Queensland currently hosts the IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, which next year hosts the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships; the Gold Coast ITU World Triathlon Series (2015-17) and Grand Final and World Championships (2018); the Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial; the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival; Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival; and the Noosa Ultimate Sports Festival.

Minister Jones said the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship Cairns would incorporate the inaugural Asian Cup, adding “this international competition will drive even greater growth in participation from Asia.

“A strong representation in the Asian Cup competition is expected from Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia in Cairns.”

Some of the world’s elite competitors are tipped to attend the event given its status as a regional event and the most qualifying places for the World IRONMAN Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

The IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship is one of five IRONMAN Regional Championship races globally, as one of the pinnacle events of the series.

IRONMAN Asia Pacific Chief Executive Geoff Meyer added “announcing Cairns as the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship venue for the next three years from 2016 enhances Queensland’s reputation as the home of triathlon in Australia.

“Cairns is a first-class city, fully qualified and well-equipped to deliver an exceptional event, and we look forward to providing our athletes with an unforgettable championship race experience.”

The Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns will take place on 12th June 2016 as part of the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival.

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