8 publishers · first seen Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:21 UTC · updated Sun, 01 Nov 2026 03:53 UTC
The Noosa Triathlon, the largest Olympic-distance triathlon in the world, cancelled its swim leg on Sunday due to multiple shark sightings, marking the first time in the event's 43-year history that a race segment has been axed. Organisers made the decision an hour before the 6:15am start after surf lifesavers refused to enter the water following a sighting at first light, citing safety protocols that prohibit water activities for 60 minutes after a shark is seen. The swim, originally a 1.5 kilometre leg off Noosa’s Main Beach, was replaced with a beach run for age group athletes and a 5-kilometre run for elite competitors.
Elite athletes completed a modified duathlon course of 5km run, 40km cycle and 10km run. Matt Hauser won the men's elite race in 1:39:34, defending his title from last year, while Natalie Van Coevorden claimed the women's elite victory in 1:58:11. The event draws 8,500 athletes and 20,000 spectators annually and is held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
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