Bad weather: Ironman now Sunday 70.3 event

Weather has caused havoc for the organisers of this year's Ironman New Zealand with tomorrow's event being replaced with an Ironman 70.3 race to be run on Sunday.

Organisers of the event told The Daily Post today, due to an unprecedented and severe weather forecast by the New Zealand Meteorological Service, Saturday's Ironman New Zealand has been postponed for safety reasons. The forecast calls for a "severe gale with gusts of 120km/h between 7 and 11 a.m. [tomorrow]."

Ironman New Zealand chief executive Andrew Messick said the Metservice anticipated the weather to clear tomorrow afternoon and an Ironman 70.3 race would be scheduled for Ironman New Zealand athletes on Sunday starting at 8am.

"We recognize the hard work, determination and sacrifices required by our athletes and want to give them every opportunity to fulfil their race goals," Messick said.

"Organizing an event in less than a day's time is no small feat and this is a true testament to the passion of those involved with this race."

Messick said Sunday's event would carry the same number of qualifying slots to the Ironman World Championships, taking place in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, on October 13, as well as the same prize purse and number of KPR points for professional athletes.

Ironman New Zealand athletes will also have the opportunity to race an Ironman event of their choice at a discounted price between now and the end of June.