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Wollongong shines again as world triathlon host. We meet the many winners and a few losers
Crowds lined the streets for a wonderful weekend of world-class sport. Photos: Jeremy Lasek

Wollongong shines again as world triathlon host. We meet the many winners and a few losers

Thousands of athletes and spectators gathered for the 2025 World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong at the weekend

Jeremy Lasek  profile image
by Jeremy Lasek

Yet again Wollongong rose to the occasion, delivering a wonderful weekend of world-class sport, in perfect weather.

There can be no doubt, our city has proven itself capable of hosting big international sporting events; first cycling's UCI Road World Championships in 2022, and this weekend the 2025 World Triathlon Championships.

The organisers can take a well-deserved bow. Everything appears to have run like clockwork. There were plenty of winners on the race course, and off it. Aussie Matthew Hauser's storming win, cheered on by thousands as he headed for home rounding Flagstaff Hill in the elite men's event was quite simply the icing on the cake. But the big shake-up required to stage an event of this scale meant there were also a few losers.

The Illawarra Flame spent the weekend among the big crowds enjoying the spectacle, with so many spectators dressed in sporting attire representing the many nations who'd come here to compete.

Almost without exception, it seems everyone fell in love with this little sporting city called Wollongong. Many homes along the course proudly displayed Australian flags and some even opted to fly multiple flags, getting into the celebratory spirit.

Officials, athletes rave about their visit

We caught up with excited athletes and officials, dedicated volunteers, and we also met businesses struggling to make it to the finish line.

You couldn't meet a bigger fan of the entire event than the USA Triathlon CEO Victoria Brumfield, who couldn't stop beaming as she cheered on her big team on Sunday.

"Oh, the weekend's been incredible. We've got the largest team we've ever had from the United States, and everyone's just had an incredible time," Victoria said.

"The course is stunning; it's a really tough course, it keeps you honest, so the competition has been really high level and exciting for all our athletes to push themselves all the way to the edge. It's also been great for our coaches and staff who've been able to experience Australia for the very first time."

And she echoed the thoughts of so many who until a few weeks ago had never heard of Wollongong, let alone visit it.

"Wollongong has been a delight from the start. I mean, watching the whales in the background as we are watching our athletes compete has just been such an incredible experience. We have over 400 amateur athletes here as well, competing in their age groups and everyone has just raved about their experience."

Spanish athletes Sarah and Susanna were in agreement. "Wollongong is just so stunningly beautiful," Sarah said. "and the weather couldn't have been better," Susanna added.

Volunteers to the fore

Merilyn from Wollongong was a first-time volunteer at the event and loving the experience. "It's been such a great atmosphere, and I've been so impressed with the organisation. It's been smooth running and gone off without a hitch from my perspective."

Kim, volunteered for the UCI cycling event three years ago and had no hesitation about backing up for the triathlon worlds. "The weekend has been really great," she said as she headed to her position helping spectators cross the road near the start at Belmore Basin.

Irish triathlete Fiona stopped in to Bombora Restaurant above the harbour for a carb-packed lunch on Saturday after competing earlier in the day. She and her dining companion, Erik from Sweden, were full of praise for the event organisers. "I've never been involved in any event that's been so well organised," Fiona said.

For Bombora, trading was "down a little on normal," according to manager Warren. Lenny, running front of house, was enjoying serving the international guests who dropped in to find some shade and enjoy the hospitality and the harbour view.

Next door at the Nonabel Cafe, owner Bob wasn't happy when asked how his weekend was going. "Up the s***," he said.

"There's nowhere to park and people just can't get here," he said, looking at his empty cafe, which is normally buzzing on weekends.

Numbers down on the Blue Mile

The normally packed Blue Mile was also well down on foot and bicycle traffic, which clearly impacted businesses relying on passing traffic.

At the popular Diggies Cafe on North Wollongong Beach, where there's normally a queue and 10-to-15-minute wait for a table on regular weekends, tables were in plentiful supply. Diggies extended trading hours for the weekend in the hope they'd be even busier than normal. "I guess it was worth a try," a staff member said.

The prestigious Novotel was busier than ever accommodating athletes and their support teams but Saturday afternoon at Pepe's bar, which is normally rocking, was unusually quiet.

Clare and her team at Connie's Cafe on the corner of Cliff Road and Bourke Street had a bird's eye view of the races as the athletes cycled past. She blamed the road closures and lack of parking for a "very quiet" weekend.

"Normally there's a queue out the door right now," Clare said at 8am on Sunday. "There's nowhere to park, so the only people coming here are walking in."

Hundreds of parking spots lost

The road closures effectively closed down many hundreds of car parking spots around Stuart Park, Puckey's Lagoon, the Novotel and Cliff Road.  There was no skydiving in the area, the business deciding to relocate while the event was underway.

The message had obviously filtered through to Sydneysiders, who on weekends normally make the pilgrimage to Wollongong in their thousands to picnic in the area near Puckey's Lagoon. On Saturday and Sunday, the grassy area was almost deserted.

Down at the Lagoon Cafe on Saturday morning, my coffee was just the second Cherie made during the first hour of trading. "I think we'll be closing early today," she said. The cafe owners decided it wasn't worth while opening on Sunday.

No weekend walk-ins

 The famous Lagoon restaurant also had "a much quieter than normal weekend", according to staff preparing for Sunday lunch. "We just don't have any walk-ins because no one can park anywhere near us," one of the kitchen staff said.

Both the Lagoon Cafe and the Pavilion on North Beach described weekend takings as being many thousands of dollars down on a typical sunny weekend. There were empty tables where there's normally a wait list for somewhere to sit.

"It seems everyone has been scared off by all the publicity," one diner said while enjoying a coffee and egg and bacon roll at the three-quarters empty North Beach Kiosk.

As cyclists competing in the event sped past the Cliffside Cafe on Cliff Road, Mel could only look on waiting for her third customer of the day at 8.15am on Sunday. Her regulars, it seems, had decided to have the weekend off. "Things improved later in the day when the events were finishing off but both mornings were bad," Mel said.

Busier trading on the harbour

It was a much better story for the team at Levendi's Cafe right on the harbour; the start point for the event and pretty much the epicentre for athletes and spectators.

"The mornings have been a bit quieter than usual, but things have really picked up after lunch and through the afternoons," the Levendi's team leader said.

 Steamers Bar and Restaurant, close to the triathlon finish line on Marine Drive was party central and doing a roaring trade during its Friday happy hour as the events of the day started to wind down. "We couldn't be happier seeing so many new faces. It's a great vibe," our server told us as he delivered our $12 happy hour margarita.

The recently opened Lu Mare restaurant overlooking both Osborne Park and the harbour enjoyed a strong weekend according to co-owner Maria.

"Lunch times have been a little quieter but we've had good bookings for dinner," Maria said. "Our other restaurant, K.malu in Keira Street, has been really busy which is fantastic.

"Big events are always going to have an impact but I think this has been great for Wollongong."

Take a bow, Wollongong 

Blessed with stunning spring weather, there's no doubt Wollongong sparkled and has stolen the hearts of the thousands who've spent the past few days in our company.  The aerial shots of the city by the sea, captured so beautifully by the host broadcaster, were beamed around the world.

Yes, there will always be casualties, and some pain when a city needs to shake things up to accommodate world-class events such as the World Triathlon Championships. Perhaps for our next big event there could be special arrangements made to offer support or incentives for people to visit the small number of businesses most impacted by the disruptions.

When the organisers, supporters and sponsors sit down in the weeks ahead to analyse and ask "Did the event work?", there can be no doubt that, as a spectacle, we can be super-proud of the championships. Events ran seamlessly and everyone who competed or lined the route to cheer on the competitors seemed to be having a great time. 

It may be a decade or more before we realise the full benefits of hosting these world titles. Millions of eyes across the world have been watching this special weekend in the life of Wollongong. It's hard to imagine any of those triathlete fans not thinking to themselves, "One day I'm going to go to that beautiful city with a funny name to swim in the harbour, and run and cycle on those streets."

As a city, take a bow, Wollongong, on a wonderful podium finish.

Jeremy Lasek  profile image
by Jeremy Lasek

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