Two popular South-West sporting events have each secured three-year McGowan Government funding through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program.
The Cape to Cape event and IRONMAN Western Australia will both be funded until 2023.
Held in the Margaret River region, the popularity of the four-day Cape to Cape event has significantly grown since it began in 2008, from 100 riders in its first year to attracting about 1,300 riders each year.
The event, one of the biggest mountain bike stage events in the Asia-Pacific region, covers more than 200 kilometres, with open, masters and elite categories, catering to all levels of experience and ability. Elite riders compete for $21,000 in prize money.
Past Cape to Cape events have attracted high profile mountain bike riders including previous world champions Paul Vanderploeg, Sam Hill, Jason English and Andrew Blair, and orienteering champion Adrian Jackson.
IRONMAN Western Australia, held in Busselton since 2004, features two key sporting events and a range of supporting events.
The pinnacle of the annual five-day festival is an IRONMAN triathlon, where participants complete a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run. There is also the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, which allows participants to complete half the distance.
Together the two events are expected to boost local tourism businesses, and have the potential to inject more than $10 million into the region's economy and attract more than 9,500 visitors to the area over the next three years.
The 2021 IRONMAN Western Australia will be held on December 5. For more information, visit https://www.ironman.com/im-western-australia
The 2021 Cape to Cape will run from October 21-24. For more information, visit https://capetocapemtb.com
As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:
"The State Government, through Tourism WA, is proud to support IRONMAN Western Australia and the Cape to Cape for another three years.
"Both events attract thousands of visitors to the beautiful South-West region, generating a significant boost to the economy, accommodation providers and tourism businesses, while supporting local jobs.
"Events like IRONMAN WA and Cape to Cape are real tourism assets. They lift the profile of the region through media coverage and attract thousands of competitors and spectators, who spend their money in the area and support the local economy.
"Regional events are vital for tourism, now more than ever, as we rebuild our industry from the impacts of COVID-19."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The popular Cape to Cape event engages the local community, contributes to the vibrancy of the region and gives participants a unique and enjoyable way to experience the natural attractions of the South-West.
"Importantly, supporting events like these help to strengthen economic diversity in regional WA."
