Slashed ticket prices, streamlined entry and prize money parity are all in store after Launceston Carnival organisers took on board feedback from last year’s event.
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Launceston City Cycling Club president Michael Bailey said patrons had been complimentary about the racing but critical of entry costs and queues prompting a major rethink about this year’s event on Thursday, December 27.
As a result an adult admission ticket to the Silverdome has been reduced from $35 to $25.50 or even $20 for early bird purchases.
“The feedback from last year was that the racing was fantastic but the ticket price too expensive and it was slow to get in so this really does counter those two issues,” Bailey said.
“We listened to that feedback and have come to a price on par with other carnivals in the state and when you buy online you don’t have to line up at the box office which was another concern expressed last year so we now have express entry.
“And parity in wheelraces is something we have been trying to achieve for years.”
Bailey said the $15,000 cost to use the Silverdome contributed toward a $40,000 total to stage the event.
He hoped the introduced changes combined a world-class entry list in cycling, running and woodchopping will lure punters back.
”We are extraordinarily lucky to have use of the only indoor cycling venue in Tasmania but it is expensive which is vastly different to the other carnivals.
“We just want a full Silverdome. It’s going to be a sensational night, the quality of riders is extraordinary.
“When I was a kid, if a world champion came to Tassie we’d be doing backflips, now we are lucky to have them performing regularly.
“The fields look really good with more than 100 riders entered. It’s a phenomenal time for Australian cycling.”
A total prize money pool of more than $15,000 includes $7000 for the wheelraces, with each winner taking home $2000.
Multiple world champion Sam Welsford headlines the field as he defends his Launceston Wheel title against such adversaries as Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning pursuit teammate Kelland O’Brien plus Austrian champion Stefan Matzner and popular German visitor Christian Grasmann.
Having come so close last year, Flowery Gully’s Amanda Beams will be hoping to win the women’s world underhand chop title.
Tickets are available from Ticketek or via the Silverdome website.
There is an early bird discount of 20 per cent running until December 24.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
