Air New Zealand and Jetstar "have been accused of price gouging by fans wanting to travel to Wellington" for New Zealand's World Cup playoff against Peru on Nov. 11. The prices for flights from Auckland to Wellington on the morning of Nov. 11 range from NZ$229-NZ$329 ($164-$235) on Air New Zealand, and a flat NZ$269 ($192) on all Jetstar flights, "a huge jump on regular prices for both airlines." A ticket between the two cities for travel "on any of the three prior Saturdays would cost a fraction of the price," starting at just NZ$69 ($49) (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 10/18).
Tough Mudder and Invictus Events & Entertainment announced a partnership to bring the obstacle course challenge to South Africa in '18. The multi-year partnership with IEE in South Africa marks the first time Tough Mudder has licensed its signature challenges in the country and its first on the African continent. Tough Mudder now holds events on five out of the six habitable continents. The inaugural South Africa Tough Mudder Event Weekend will take place September 15-16, 2018 at Old Mac Daddy in Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa. Tough Mudder also announced the arrival of Tough Mudder 5K, a new course which will be coming to London, Manchester and Edinburgh next summer (Tough Mudder).
La Course by the Tour de France will revert to a one-day event for the fifth edition of the women's race in '18. The '17 edition, won by Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten, was held over two days, comprising a 67km mountainous stage followed by a 22.5km "chase." Next year's event will be a 118km one-day race, a reduced version of stage 10 of the Tour, with both to be held on July 17 (BBC, 10/18).
