What once was Penticton's race, is now Whistler's as Ironman Canada has found a new home.
Tourism Whistler announced on their website on Thursday afternoon that they were named the host town for the race slated on Aug. 25, 2013, the very same date that Penticton will be hosting the Challenge Family triathlon.
"Whistler's natural beauty is the perfect setting for the race with winding mountain roads, sparkling lakes and mountain views all part of unique and challenging course," said the Tourism Whistler website.
The website was available for a short time on Thursday afternoon before being taken off-line. Calls to Tourism Whistler officials have not been returned. Ironman Canada sent out a message on Twitter Thursday afternoon after the Tourism Whistler webpage had been taken down that no official announcement for Ironman Canada's new home has been made yet.
"An official announcement is expected Friday or early next week by WTC," said the Ironman Canada tweet.
The World Triathlon Company had short-listed Kelowna, Whistler and Huntsville, Ont. earlier this month as potential candidates to take over the Ironman Canada race.
After hosting the Ironman Canada race for 30 years, City of Penticton council decided to go another direction citing the high costs of bringing the race to the city as the primary reason.
Penticton will now be hosting the Challenge Family long-distance triathlon, which city representatives believe will bring greater economic benefit to the region. City manager Annette Antoniak said the Challenge Family had 30 other communities knocking on their door wanting to host.