Mooloolaba Triathlon cancelled as Cyclone Alfred looms

The Mooloolaba Triathlon has been officially canceled after the Sunshine Coast Council revoked the event permit at 12 p.m. on Tuesday. Prior to this, there had been uncertainty about whether the event would proceed as scheduled due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaching the coastline.

Event organizers had previously been delaying the final decision, hoping for suitable weather conditions for the race to take place. However, with the deteriorating weather conditions and ongoing safety concerns, the council ultimately withdrew its approval, forcing the event's cancellation.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli stated that the event will be rescheduled as soon as possible. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, weather conditions are expected to worsen further as Alfred approaches the southeast Queensland coast, with coastal areas expected to experience destructive wind gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour.

The triathlon, originally scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, was expected to involve over 5,000 athletes and hundreds of volunteers. Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast, the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships at North Kirra have also been canceled. Carnival Chairman Nigel Ward stated that the safety of competitors, officials, and staff is the top priority.

Sunshine Coast Airport has not yet canceled any flights, but remains vigilant. "The airport is currently operating as normal, but passengers are advised to stay up to date and contact their airline for flight status," said a Sunshine Coast Airport spokesperson. Sunshine Coast Chief Lifeguard Trent Robinson said that wave heights were around four to five meters on Monday morning and are expected to increase further. He anticipates that beaches may be closed for the remainder of the week, adding that water quality could also become an issue if the area experiences heavy rainfall. "Public safety is the number one priority for lifeguard services and our lifeguards," he emphasized.