Unicycle World Championships here in NZ

Dec 28th, 09.  Today was the opening of the 2010 Uni-Cycle Unicon World Championships where over 700 competitors descended on the New Zealand capital to compete in the ten day event.

Unicon XV Parade of Nations

The opening was celebrated with a parade of nations with over 700 competitors from 23 different countries riding their uni-cycles from the TSB Arena to Civic Square.  

Upon arrival at Civic Square they were greeted by a traditional Maori welcome followed by speeches from local dignatories, including the Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast.  

The world championship program runs over 10 days, starting tomorrow with Track and Field, and concluding on the 7th January with the Marathon event - a 46km road race. 

RoadCycling.co.nz spoke to Joe Dyson, one of the kiwi contingent, and part of the organising committee.

"10 days, 700 unicyclists, this has been a huge project to organise.  Wellington has been fantastic, we've had so much support from the Council.  The local supermarkets and bike shops have been supportive too," said Dyson.

Dyson, who is attending his second world champs is one 100 kiwis who belong to the Unicycling federation in New Zealand.

"The national federation now has about 100 members, people who ride quite actively.  We meet two or three times a year at long weekends, pick a venue, and have three days hanging out," he said.

During the course of the ten days, Wellington will see the full range of unicycle events from the marathon and 10km endurance rides through to freestyle and trials events.  There are even athletics style events with 100m sprints, and the long jump!

The marathon course takes in the same route that is regularly used by local roadies, the Wellington Bays ride.  The marathon starts in Shelly Bay and loops around the peninsula, but instead of returning on the flat, a short sharp hill over into Miramar provides a challenging loop course.

Jo Dyson explains the details of a Marathon unicycle

"Up over Awa Rd and four loops.  There will be some very pained faces," said Dyson.  

The American team manager told RoadCycling.co.nz this is the most gruelling marathon they've had in the history of the event.

The riders are expected to reach speeds of 30-35kmhr on their unicyles and the Wellington winds will no doubt give these roadies the normal challenges that all races experience in this region.  The organisers have put out a special warning about the wind for the 10km waterfront time trial.

Just like road cycling, there are specific cycles for each event. There are unicycles with 36" wheels, aero bars and brakes used for the 46km marathon rides,  more rugged looking 24inch downhill machines with knobbly tires for the mountain cycle races, and elegant 20inch machines for the artistic pairs, singles and group events.   

Carbon fibre does feature at the Unicycle World Championships but we haven't managed to photograph any yet.  We will be on the lookout during the course of the week.

If you are interested in learning how to ride a unicycle the organisers have catered for this with a number of "learn to ride" sessions.  These are scheduled for 7pm, 31st December and 11am, 5th January at Frank Kitts Park.

See more photos from the Opening Ceremony Unicycle World Championships Photo Gallery

Unicon XV Program

29th December (Tuesday)

• 8.45am Track and Field - Newtown Park
• 3.30pm 800m, 400m, 100m - Newtown Park

30th December (Wednesday)

• 8.45 am Track and Field - Newtown Park
• 12.30 pm Downhill Gliding - Newtown Park
• 2.00 pm High Jump / Long Jump - Newtown Park
• 7.00 pm Artistic Pairs Freestyle - TSB Arena

31st December (Thursday)

• 7.00 pm Learn to Unicycle - Frank Kitts Park

1st January (Friday)

• 7.00 pm Artistic Individual Freestyle - TSB Arena

2nd January (Saturday)

• 7.00 pm Artistic Groups Freestyle - TSB Arena

3rd January (Sunday)

• 3.00 pm Street Competition - Waitangi Park
• 6.00 pm 10km Criterium - Waterfront

4th January (Monday)

• 9.00 am-6.00 pm Basketball Qtr and Semi Finals - TSB Arena

5th January (Tuesday)

• 10.00 am Flatland Finals Macs - Brewery Bar Waterfront
• 11.00 am Learn to Unicycle - Frank Kitts Park
• 1.00 pm Hockey Finals - TSB Arena
• 2.00 pm Basketball Finals - TSB Arena
• 4.00 pm Trials - Macs Brewery Bar Waterfront

6th January (Wednesday)

• 9.00 am Mountain Unicycling Uphill/Downhill/X Country - Mt Victoria Charles Plimmer Park
• 7.00 pm Speed Trials Contest - Waitangi Park

7th January (Thursday)

• 9.00 am Marathon - Shelly Bay
• 2.00 pm Best Trick Contest - Macs Brewery Bar Waterfront

Full program details can be found on Unicon XV website