Powerman ETU middle distance Duathlon-EM in Denmark

Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer fetch gold and silver in Viborg. The two Swiss girls lived up to their role as favourites at the Powerman ETU Middle Distance Duathlon European Championships in Denmark and secured a double victory. The long distance world champion of Zofingen 2018, Petra Eggenschwiler, added another title to her Palmarès in the former Danish capital. Maurer had already won silver last year, defending champion Sandrina Illes (AUT) was fourth behind Brit Alice Hector.

After the first 10 km of running, the two Swiss changed to the bike a few seconds behind Illes and Georgina Schwiening (GBR), the third Swiss, Nina Zoller, followed 30 seconds later. Eggenschwiler quickly took the lead, Maurer and Zoller took the next places. On the second 10 km run, Eggeschwiler’s lead remained practically the same, the Solothurn athlete secured the title with 3:53 minutes ahead of the Bernese Maurer from Wikon/LU. Zoller ranked 9th in the final.

Zehnder in 5th place

Fabian Zehnder (TG Hütten) was in a group of five athletes after the first run, who only separated by a few seconds. The Swiss was well on his way on the bike. He changed back into his running shoes on the 3rd intermediate position, behind Daan de Groot (NED) and Chris Fischer (DEN). “I had to work a lot on the windy bike course and there were no possibilities (descents) to take a breather,” Zehnder described the “brutally hard” competition. “Unfortunately I still lost my full bottle on the cobblestone, whereby cramps belonged to my constant companion. I had to improvise a little during the rations, which I felt from kilometre 5 on on the 2nd run”, Fabian Zehnder continued. “The
running today was very coupiert and windy, so I lost a lot of time.” Zehnder had been able to hold
position 3 until kilometre 5, after which he dropped back to fifth place. The second Swiss player to start, Jens-Michael Gossauer (Powerlab Rebels), came in 10th. The Dutchman Daan de Groot could not take the title anymore.
Reinhard Standke/Raphael Galliker

Caption: Swiss European Championship double victory in Denmark thanks to Petra Eggenschwiler
(centre) and Melanie Maurer (left). On the right the British bronze medallist Alice Hector. Photo: zVg

Viborg. Powerman ETU middle distance Duathlon EM (10 km running, 60 km cycling, 10 km running). Men: 1st Daan de Groot (DEN) 2:37:19. 2nd Jan Petralia (BEL) 2:37:55, 0:36 minutes back. 3. Gonzalo Fuentes (ESP) 2:38:57, 1:38. 4. Ben Price (GBR) 2:40:02, 2:42. 5. Fabian Zehnder (SUI, Wädenswil/TG Hütten) 2:40:32, 3:13. – Further: 10. Jens-Michael Gossauer (SUI, Greifensee/Powerlab Rebels)
2:44:04, 6:45. DNS Roberteo Delorenzi (SUI, Sigirino/Tri Team Ticino). 2. 44. – Women: 1st Petra
Eggenschwiler (SUI, Solothurn) 2:54:39. 2nd Melanie Maurer (SUI, Schliern b. Köniz) 2:58:32, 3:53.
3rd Alice Hector (GBR) 3:01:57, 7:18. – Further: 9th Nina Zoller (SUI, Chur) 3:10:33, 15:53.

More results:
https://www.sportstiming.dk/event/6054/results?round=25196

The world rankings:
http://www.powerman.org/ranking-results/

Duathlon, Powerman Germany in Alsdorf:

Daan de Groot and Laura Zimmermann win

Daan de Groot from the Netherlands and the German Laura Zimmermann, have on the classic race (10 km/60 km/ 10 km) of the Powerman Germany in Alsdorf. More than 750 athletes and multi-sport enthusiasts from all over the world took part in this second edition of one of Europe’s m

ost important duathlons, to compete for the title. The race had perfect weather conditions.

The Belgium Jan Petralia, member of the Domo elctro Scott Team and the German Champion Sascha Huppert achieved to finish second and third, while Katharina Grohmann from Germany and Alice Hector from Great Britian, in second and third place respectively. Whereas in the women’s race no Swiss girl had started, in the men’s race the Swiss Fabian Zehnder and Jens-Michael Gossauer finished in fourth and fifth place.

The competition, held in Alsdorf, Germany, has been organized by Marathon-Club Eschweiler 1983 e.V

. Powerman is the premier label for long-distance duathlons. Powerman unites the biggest and most well-known long distance duathlons in the world under the International Powerman Association (IPA). The Powerman Alsdorf in Germany is official Candidate for 2020 ETU Powerman European Championships Duathlon. The main event will take place on 8th of September at the 2019 Zofingen ITU Po

werman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. rga

Results Powerman Germany Alsdorf Classic Category (10 km Run – 60 km Bike – 10 km Run).

Men:

1. Daan de Groot (NL) 2:30:21, 2. Jan Petralia (BEL) 2:31:38, 3. Sascha Hubbert (GER) 2:32:53.

Women:

1. Laura Zimmermann (GER)

2:50:05, 2. Katharia Grohmann (GER) 2:52:05, 3. Alice Hector (GBR) 2:53:56.

More information: www.powerman-alsdorf.de and http://triathlon-timing.com/results/#results%2F2019%2F2019_04_14_Powerman_Alsdorf_-_Together_we_boost_Duathlon

Duathlon, outlook with OC President Stefan Ruf on 31st Powerman Zofingen:

Powerman Zofingen benefits from the Federer effect

In about five months the 31st Powerman Zofingen will take place. After last year’s complete renewal of the cycle track and the celebration of the anniversary, this year is a year of consolidation. But stagnation would also mean a setback for the Powerman Zofingen, which is why they want to invest in the quality of the world’s best duathlon. To ensure that ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships can still be held in Zofingen after 2020, the organizers need additional professional reinforcements in the personnel area, but also additional sponsoring money. In the following interview, Stefan Ruf, who is starting his 17th year as OC president, explains how this is to be achieved.

Stefan Ruf, on 7th/8th September 2019, in about five months, the 31st Powerman Zofingen will take place. Are you a little nervous already?

Stefan Ruf, OK President Powerman Zofingen: I’m a little nervous already, after all it’s about the first Powerman Zofingen after the 30-year anniversary. The past has shown that we are never immune to surprises. In addition, we have reassigned personnel to some of the departments and the new managers must first familiarise themselves with their tasks.

Last year there was a new bike route. Are there any new adjustments for this year?

We invested a lot of time and energy in 2018 to find a cycle track that will last for the next few years. Therefore, there should be no changes, but only minor optimizations.

How did the new cycle route, the majority of which runs through the canton of Aargau, reach athletes, sponsors and the general public?

I can really say that the new bike course has met with a positive response everywhere. Our expectations were exceeded. In retrospect, one even has to ask oneself whether a new route might have been advantageous even earlier.

“12 transit villages – one race” is the slogan used in connection with the new cycle track that was introduced last year. How do you want to involve the transit communities in this?

In fact, we drive through many new communities and through the existing ones on a different route or in the opposite direction. The bike course is the heart of our event. We want to use the new starting position to significantly strengthen the relationship with the transit churches. We don’t just want to use the streets, we want to build a mutually fruitful partnership. Not every village has the opportunity to be a partner in a world championship and to present itself in a very exclusive garment. Our goal for 2019 is for a special activity to take place in each individual church, sometime a year, on the occasion itself, or even throughout the year.

In Reitnau there will be a special all-year-event where everyone can take part on the bike. What are the details like?

The idea is to set up a permanent timing track at one of the most attractive places on our cycle route, in the ascent of Reitnau. Cyclists of all ages and abilities can thus compete throughout the year, be it in terms of the fastest time or the total metres of altitude they have climbed. We would be very happy if we could find suitable partners to realize this project.

What changes can you expect for the 31st Powerman Zofingen?

2019 is a year of consolidation. This year and also in 2020 we are allowed to host ITU World Championships. This gives us a certain planning security. We want to use this time to further improve the quality of our organization.

What needs to be even better in the future?

We need further partners who can support us professionally with their services. Only in this way will it be possible to remain the world number 1 in duathlon in the future. Of course, we will also need sponsorship money in cash in the future, but increasingly also sponsorships in the form of the provision of highly qualified personnel.

The contract with the ITU (International Triathlon Union) was newly signed. So there will be also 2019 and 2020 in Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Are you honoured that the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) will be making their twelfth and 13th appearances in Zofingen after 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, not to mention their ninth and tenth in a row?

It is indeed something of which I am personally very proud. The fact that the ITU places this trust in us is due to our transparency and our dealings with the international association. But we have to be aware at all times that this World Cup history can be over at any time. In this respect, it is precisely for this reason that we have to invest in organisational quality and in athlete advertising. Our claim must be that exactly the same number of athletes come, whether or not a World Cup takes place in Zofingen.

In 2019 you will personally tackle your 17th year as OC President of Powerman Zofingen. Is the momentum still as great as in the first year of office?

I’ve never counted the years and that’s a good sign for me personally. Powerman is for me a balance to my professional activity and must therefore be fun. This requires two things: success and a
positive, optimistic environment. We have both at the moment, which was not the case 17 years ago, for example.

On an international level, it is above all the female figureheads of the Powerman Zofingen who are the top. The current Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championship Petra Eggenschwiler won this year the Powerman Mallorca and the Vice Champion Melanie Maurer just won the Powerman Greece. Such advertising ambassadors are certainly good for the Powerman Zofingen?

Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer are currently giving Duathlon sport a powerful tailwind. Last year’s Swiss double victory in Zofingen led, among other things, to the Powerman Zofingen appearing both in the sports panorama and in the main edition of the Swiss television news. This is an impressive demonstration of how important national flagships are in a sport. I could also say that we are currently benefiting from the so-called Federer effect. The encouraging prospect is that both Swiss women are in their prime and will be able to continue to shape this sport for several years to come.

The 2018 renewed cycle route will again pass through the old town of Zofingen in 2019. Here world champion Petra Eggenschwiler, who drives past the Niklaus Thut fountain.

At the national level, the Powerman Zofingen wants to work more closely with the Powerman Tramelan and Swiss Duathlon. What are your goals?

The Swiss market is relatively small. It therefore makes no sense for different organizations and events to work on the same customer segment. Together you can use the available budget much more efficiently and purposefully and thus ultimately inspire significantly more people to take part in duathlon.

The OK has now grown to about 50 people. Where are there still vacancies that can/must be filled?

For the Powerman Zofingen as the world’s most important duathlon event and world championship, the focus must be primarily on the foreign participants. There is no doubt that we can and must do much more. Domestically we are now working more closely with Swiss Duathlon and this year we are official supporter and partner of the Swiss Duathlon racing series, which has grown to 12 events in 2019.

Also with the Powerman CHARITY and the PowerKids you stir the advertising drum more intensively. Do the participants benefit from this as well?

The undisputed highlight of our event is undoubtedly the long distance race. All activities must be geared primarily to this. The CHARITY run and the Powerkids are, however, two further pillars with which we also want to offer something locally and regionally. The support of charitable organisations and the promotion of young sportsmen and women are therefore also close to our hearts in the future.

Nowadays, social media take an increasingly important place at sports events. Did the Powerman Zofingen recognize this?

The social media are particularly important insport. Athletes from all over the world can talk about it. The organizers must also use these media to communicate with their participants, which will certainly become even more important in the future. Because the very best advertising is and remains the recommendation and a positive assessment is spread very quickly and very widely via the social media. This is why we will also continue to expand our presence in the social media.

Interview: Raphael Galliker

More information at www.powerman.swiss

Captions:
1.) Stefan Ruf, OC President of the Powerman Zofingen, wants to bundle forces and resources in the future and work even more closely with Swiss Duathlon and the Powerman Tramelan.

2.) The 2018 renewed cycle route will again pass through the old town of Zofingen in 2019. Here world champion Petra Eggenschwiler, who drives past the Niklaus Thut fountain.
Photos: Powerman Zofingen/Blende 8.5 Zofingen

As mum or dad, grandmother or grandfather, aunt or uncle, godfather or godmother, are you looking for a great activity to spend an unforgettable day with your child? Then the PowerFamily in Zofingen is the right place for you! This fun duathlon is aimed at all curious beginners, but also ambitious sports professionals are of course welcome!

This year we are giving away a free starting place in the PowerFamily category for the first time. Participation in the competition is very easy:

1. 1. Follow the accounts @powerkids4800 and @powermanzofingen on Instagram.
   2. Mark 3 people who might be interested in PowerFamily.

Already you are in the raffle! By the way, if you want to double your chance of winning, you can post our post in your story or on your account.

In addition to the PowerFamily starting place for the winner, three sets with sponsor sports nutrition, sunglasses, a Victorinox shower gel, a Swiss cap, a Powerman bag and a Skross adapter plug will be raffled off!

So, on your marks, ready, go! Mark your friends and try your luck!

The contest starts on Saturday, 6 April 2019 and ends on Monday, 22 April 2019 at 20:00. The 3 winners will be announced on 23 April.

Prices will not be shipped abroad. People living in foreign countries need to pick up their set in Zofingen.

31st General Assembly Association Powerman Zofingen

“Twelve villages – one race”

This year, the Powerman Zofingen is dedicated to the motto “Twelve villages – one race”. Stefan Ruf, who was confirmed as president of the association Powerman Zofingen with great applause, was able to announce at the 31st Annual General Meeting in the Hotel Zofingen that the Duathlon Long Distance World Championships will now be held for the ninth time in a row and for the twelfth time in general at the same venue. Athletes from over 35 different nations are expected at the 31st Powerman Zofingen from 6th to 8th September 2019.

In the presence of about 30 OC members, who had found their way to the Hotel Zofingen for the general assembly, Stefan Ruf, president of the association Powerman Zofingen, reviewed the last event during his annual report. “In sporting terms, the anniversary event was marked by the first Swiss success since 2002, and thanks to Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer it even became a Swiss double victory. “On 8 September 2019 there will again be ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen. The fact that the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) are now doing this in Zofingen for the twelfth time, after 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 for the twelfth time in a row, and for the ninth time in a row, is unique across the globe for triathlon and especially for duathlon. “And next year the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will again be held in Thutstadt”, Ruf already looked joyfully into the future. Since an ITU Multisport Festival will be held in Holland on the traditional first weekend of September, the 32nd Powerman Zofingen will not take place until 19/20 September 2020.

Proven new bike route

In 2017, the storm of the century in the Zofingen region was a challenge for the running route, Ruf said. “But the search for a new cycle track proved to be much more challenging last year.” After long negotiations, we decided in spring 2018 to leave the cantonal territory of Lucerne as far as possible and to implement a new, already planned variant through the Aargau region”. In order to meet all the requirements, secure the permits and personnel and implement feasible solutions for the numerous construction sites, a lot more money than planned had to be invested. “But it was worth it, as we were able to present a demanding and worthy course in the tradition of the Powerman Zofingen, which proved its safety and appealed to the athletes.” This year there will be, according to Ruf, only minor optimizations on the track.

“Twelve villages – one race”

Ruf was positively surprised when obtaining the permits in the individual transit villages. “In the individual discussions I noted with great satisfaction that the village representatives are really pleased that the Powerman will lead Zofingen through their village. “Try to build on that now. “It is important to us that this race, which leads through ten Aargau and two Lucerne municipalities, becomes a joint event and that the contacted representatives of the municipalities spread their enthusiasm among the people. You can feel that the Powerman Zofingen has a very good name. “Besides, some villages in the Mittelland can claim that there’s a world championship going through their territory and we’re even helping to make this a great thing.” It is a good opportunity for the affected villages to market their location even better, to mobilize the inhabitants for sports and to create a good atmosphere with their clubs along the bike course.

Sporty top quality

The calculation for 2018 had to be closed with a minus. “However, we had expected this to be the case because of the new cycle route, the activities for the 30th anniversary such as the anniversary magazine or the successful world record attempt by Freddy Nock,” said Ruf, who is looking forward to positive financial results again in the coming years thanks to clean and serious work. “We want to invest now above all again into the sporty quality of our event, so that we remain the best Duathlon of the world. If we continue to succeed, then the International Federation will have the greatest interest in holding the World Championships in Zofingen”.

Cooperation with Swiss Duathlon

In order to regularly have 1’500 or more participants at the Powerman Zofingen in the future, the Zofingen team will work even closer together with Swiss Duathlon and the Powerman Tramelan. “We have a common interest here, namely that in the future we will be able to get even more people interested in cycling and running. In the relatively small Swiss market, it makes sense for these organisations to pool their resources in order to jointly generate even more participants”. At the same time, the Powerman Zofingen wants to invest even more in foreign athlete marketing, especially in the surrounding countries, with first priority Germany.

The distribution of departments

At Powerman Zofingen, the structure of the three departments introduced in the course of 2016 will be continued. Markus Bindschädler will continue to head the competition department and Stefan Ruf will head the marketing department. The Services Department is transferred from Sonja Peter and Priska Zinniker to Oliver Imfeld, who remains General Secretary. The trio, consisting of Bindschädler, Imfeld and Ruf, will then also form, together with Walter Bloch (Head of Sponsoring), the management of Powerman Zofingen. “I would like to thank the whole OC and the 700 helpers for their great voluntary work and the well over 300 companies that support us with their active sponsoring. “Even more positive could be looked into the future, if the Powerman Zofingen would find a title sponsor. “The platform that would offer itself to an interested party would certainly be very promising,” said Ruf, who this year presides over the Powerman Zofingen for the 17th time as OC President.

New OC members welcome

The OC of the Powerman Zofingen now has over 50 members. Ruf said it was interesting to look back at the 30-year organisational structure. “The first ten years were all about just running a race. Then you realized that this alone was no longer enough and that you had to have a supporting programme around the race. “That’s why a services team was set up to make it as pleasant as possible for the athletes and spectators at Powerman Zofingen. “And in the last ten years we have had to concentrate more on marketing the event. We must continue to expand this thanks to additional specialists in the fields of new media, marketing and communication who must be brought on board.” Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact info@powerman.ch by e-mail.

The board of the association Powerman Zofingen belongs to: Priska Zinniker, Heinz Müller, Markus Bindschädler, Walter Bloch, Oliver Imfeld and OC President Stefan Ruf. Sonja Peter and Stephan Aregger were farewells on the Management Board.

The earlier you register for the 31st Powerman Zofingen from 6th to 8th September 2019, the cheaper it is. The best way to register is via the homepage www.powerman.ch .

The board members of the association Powerman Zofingen, in front, from left: Priska
Zinniker (previously), Stefan Ruf (President, previously), behind: Walter Bloch (previously, new GL),
Markus Bindschädler (previously) and Heinz Müller (previously). Missing: Oliver Imfeld (new). Photo:
Raphael Galliker

Text and photo: Raphael Galliker
More information at www.powerman.swiss

Duathlon: Powerman Greece

Melanie Maurer wins in Greece

Melanie Maurer wins the Powerman Greece. The 30-year-old wikon, who lives in Bern, won the
Duathlon race in Loutraki, Greece, which is part of the international Powerman series. After the
success of Petra Eggenschwiler from Solothurn on Mallorca, this is already the second victory in a
row of a Swiss woman in the international Powerman series. Among the men, the Belgian Seppe
Odeyn wins.

For reigning Duathlon Powerman Long Distance Vice World Champion Melanie Maurer, victory in
Greece is confirmation of her continued top form. “I’m very happy about the victory and I’m glad that
I’m on the right track after the winter,” says the 30-year-old Wikonerin, who now lives in Bern. “The
race was especially hard and selective on the bike due to the many changes of pace and the altitude
difference. “The race in Loutraki in Greece went over 10 kilometres, 60 kilometres cycling and again
over 10 kilometres. Second place went to Deniz Dimaki from Greece, third became Noora Honkala
from Finnland. In the men’s event, Belgian Seppe Odeyn celebrated the premiere in Greece with a
total of over 300 athletes from 30 countries.

Text: Raphael Galliker

Petra Eggenschwiler wins on Mallorca

Petra Eggenschwiler is celebrating her first Powerman victory on the Spanish island of Mallorca after winning the world championship title on the 30th Powerman Zofingen. The Solothurn native wins on the holiday island confidently ahead of the two locals Yessica Perez and Margarita Fullana. In the men’s singles, Belgian Diego van Looy wins ahead of French reigning world champion Gaël Le Bellec and Liechtenstein Michele Paonne.

Petra Eggenschwiler, who together with Melanie Maurer had secured the Swiss double victory at the Powerman World Championships in Zofingen last autumn, took the scepter in her hand at the Powerman Spain immediately after the starting signal. Already on the first five kilometres she distanced her four rivals by half a minute and more and extended this lead to a good one and a half minutes until the first change. After the first 15 kilometres on the bike, Eggenschwiler’s lead over Yessica Perez (ESP) was more than four minutes. The Spanish professional cyclist was able to reduce the gap in the course of the bike course, but Eggenschwiler drove too hard to catch up. On the final ten kilometres, the Swiss rider didn’t let anything burn her heart, she was able to extend her lead again and crossed the finish line as the sovereign winner.

World champion beaten

In the men’s event, Diego van Looy (BEL) won with a lead of almost two minutes over reigning World
Champion Gael le Bellec (FRA). 3rd place goes to Michele Paonne from Liechtenstein. rga

More info: www.powermanspain.com

Petra Eggenschwiler (in red in the middle) from Solothurn wins the Powerman Spain on Mallorca.

Can Picafort, Mallorca (ESP). Powerman Spain. 10 km running, 60 km cycling, 10 km running. Elite men: 1st Diego van Looy (BEL) 2:39:41, 2nd Gaël Le Bellec (FRA) 01:38 minutes back, 3rd Michele Paonne (LIE) 2:11 – Elite women: 1st Petra Eggenschwiler (SUI, Solothurn) 3:02:06, 2nd Yessica Perez (ESP) 3:45, 3rd Margarita Fullana (ESP) 9:24.

Duathlon, Powerman Zofingen, partner meeting of the special class:

The Day of the Three Queens

The beginning of the year is marked by the “Day of the Three Kings”. The Powerman Zofingen also writes history in this respect and made it a “Day of the Three Queens”. That three Swiss world champions from the triathlon and duathlon categories are on the same stage at one event has probably never happened before. Natascha Badmann (six-time Ironman Hawaii winner and two- time long-distance duathlon world champion at Powerman Zofingen), Daniela Ryf (four-time Ironman Hawaii winner) and Petra Eggenschwiler (2018 World Champion Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon) honoured the partner meeting of Powerman Zofingen and the “Night of Duathlon” of the Swiss Duathlon Federation Swiss Duathlon at Youcinema in Oftringen with their partner meeting of Powerman Zofingen and the “Night of Duathlon” of the Swiss Duathlon Federation Swiss Duathlon in Oftringen with their “Night of Duathlon”.

In the next two years ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will again take place in Zofingen. The ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) are staging these events in Zofingen for the twelfth and thirteenth time after 1997,
1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the Thutstadt after 1997, 1998,
2017 and 2018. The exact dates are now also known. In 2019 it will be on 7/8 September, in 2020 on
19/20 September. “The World Championship long distance race has absolute priority and should be the flagship of the event”, says Stefan Ruf, OC President of the Powerman Zofingen.

Project in Reitnau

Last year, the cycle route in the canton of Lucerne was almost entirely relocated to Aargauer Boden due to changes in permit conditions. “This has proved very successful and the no less hard bike
course than before will remain the same in the future, except for minor adjustments.” Ruf and his OK team of about 50 people want to get more and more transit communities on board. With the project “12 communities – one race”, mood nests are to be built up along the cycle route. “The Powerman
will also take place throughout the year,” says Ruf, who wants to install a permanent bike race track with time and altitude measurement on the Reitnauer Auto-Bergrennen circuit. “At the moment we are still in the detailed planning stage.”

Three Queens

As guests of honour the Powerman Zofingen could present three true sport queens: Natascha Badmann (six-time Ironman Hawaii winner, two-time Long Distance Duathlon World Champion at Powerman Zofingen and two-time Swiss Sportswoman of the Year (1998 and 2002)), Daniela Ryf
(four-time Ironman Hawaii winner and two-time Swiss Sportswoman of the Year (2015 and 2018) and Petra Eggenschwiler (World Champion 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon). “It would be very interesting if these three outstanding Swiss endurance athletes would compete
against each other on the Powerman long distance in Zofingen. Maybe we’ll organize a test
competition especially for this trio”, Ruf was very happy to have these three queens at the partner meeting of the Powerman Zofingen. “I did a few duathlons at the beginning of my career and have great respect for this sport,” said Ryf. “As I’ve heard from Natascha Badmann, the Powerman Zofingen is even harder than the Ironman Hawaii and so I know why I’ve never competed in the Powerman Zofingen before.” Ryf had to reveal a story about Eggenschwiler: “When I crawled up the Grenchenberg with my time trial bike during training, Petra Eggenschwiler came from behind and said hello to me. Then when I told her she could drive on if she wanted to, it did “ping” and she was
gone!” For her part, Eggenschwiler revealed that she had returned to the Zofingen region for the first
time since winning the World Cup last September. “It brings back wonderful memories and I’m already looking forward to the Powerman Zofingen on September 8th, which will be one of my big goals for the season. Badmann enjoys her role as ambassador of the Powerman Zofingen: “There is a lot of good feedback, the people and the media partners are happy and this sport becomes more interesting again. Duathlon was very important in the 90’s, then went diving a bit and when you can lift it again it’s beautiful.”

Stefan Ruf, OC President of the Powerman Zofingen amidst the three endurance queens from left
to right: Natascha Badmann, Daniela Ryf and Petra Eggenschweiler.

Duathlete of the year

Melanie Maurer, who grew up in Wikon and lives in Bern (Liebefeld), was elected Duathlete of the Year. She is Vice World Champion 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon. “I’ve been crying since I was 30 years old, but now I’m so overwhelmed by this choice.” The 31-year-old Fabian Zehnder from Zurich (TG Hütten, Wädenswil) was elected Duathlete of the Year. “This award makes me very proud, of course, but I would have preferred to finish the Powerman Zofingen 2018 and show off in the most important race of the season.” The award “Duathlon Rookie of the Year” went to Jens-Michael Gossauer (Greifensee) at the Night of Duathlon in Oftringen, which was organized jointly by Swiss Duathlon and Powerman Zofingen. The Powerman Achievement Award, which is given every year to people who have achieved something extraordinary for duathlon sport, went to Raoul Voirol, OC President of the Powerman Tramelan (www.powerman-tramelan.ch), which was founded in 2018 and will take place this year on June 30.

Were honored, from left to right: Melanie Maurer (Duathlete of the Year), Fabian Zehnder
(Duathlete of the Year) and Jens-Michael Gossauer (Duathlon Rookie of the Year).

Text + Photos: Raphael Galliker

More information at www.powerman.swiss

More than 100 photos of the Powerman Zofingen partner event can be found here:

Captions:

1.) Stefan Ruf, OC President of the Powerman Zofingen amidst the three endurance queens from left to right: Natascha Badmann, Daniela Ryf and Petra Eggenschweiler.

2.) Were honored, from left to right: Melanie Maurer (Duathlete of the Year), Fabian Zehnder
(Duathlete of the Year) and Jens-Michael Gossauer (Duathlon Rookie of the Year).
Photos: Raphael Galliker

Video interview by Klaus Aberger

Diverse interviews at the “Night Of Duathlon”.

Duathlon

Powerman Tramelan plans future

The cooperation between Powerman Switzerland (PMS) and Powerman Tramelan (PMT) has worked well this year and will be intensified in the coming years. This was decided at a meeting of those responsible.

Stefan Ruf (President PMS), Raoul Voirol (current OC President PMT) and Nicolas Wyss (Vice President PMT) agreed to use even more synergies, especially in the area of communication and athlete marketing. Stefan Ruf also owed the great work of the PMT-OK. The new event in Western Switzerland will give Duathlon a new impetus, from which Powerman Zofingen will also benefit. rga

From left: Raoul Voirol (OC President PMT), Stefan Ruf (President PMS and OC President Powerman Zofingen), Nicolas Wyss (Vice President PMT). Photo: zVg

Duathlon, Powerman Zofingen, review and outlook with OC President Stefan Ruf:

“We have to invest in the quality of the organization and invest in athlete advertising”

The Powerman Zofingen will also be held in the next two years as ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Stefan Ruf, who is starting his 17th year as OC President, has signed a contract with the International Triathlon Union (ITU). Ruf intends to invest even more in organisational quality and athlete marketing in the future. The Powerman Zofingen clearly focuses on the long distance race. On 8 September 2019, the World Championship race will once again take place on the new track, which will be held for the first time this year, with slight optimisations.

Stefan Ruf, was the 30th Powerman Zofingen a success from your point of view?
Stefan Ruf, OK President Powerman Zofingen: For the 30th edition the Powerman Zofingen changed to a completely new bike course. This was a tremendous challenge for our organization, because the goal was to maintain a route that is also suitable for the future. In the end this was very successful and the feedback from the athletes but also from the new places of transit was excellent and gives the event very good chances for the future. That’s why I consider the 2018 event to be both a landmark and a great success.

So the new route remains the same?
That was the goal and we achieved it. Feedback from participants, transit communities and the police was all positive. There were only a few accidents. And if it came to such a thing, then unfortunately exactly there, where we had foreseen the difficulties, so for example in the Renzlingenstrasse in Reiden. But there are talks going on with the community to find a better solution. Some of the construction sites, which were a bit difficult this year, will also be removed in 2019 and some bad road surfaces will be renewed until the 31st Powerman Zofingen.

What needs to be even better in the future?
The organisation must become more focused and efficient in its preparation and implementation. The main competition is the Long Distance World Championship. That’s what everything has to be geared to. Of course there will still be the PowerKids and the CHARITY run. However, these must not restrict or complicate the long distance. A simple example: In the future all competitions will start at the same place. That makes things a lot easier for everyone. We need to become much better in international marketing. We want to bring more foreign participants to Zofingen. These also bring economic benefits for the region.

The contract with the ITU (International Triathlon Union) was newly signed. So there will be also 2019 and 2020 in Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Are you honoured that the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) will be making their twelfth and 13th appearances in Zofingen after 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, not to mention their ninth and tenth in a row?
It is indeed something of which I am personally very proud. The fact that the ITU places this trust in us is due to our transparency and our dealings with the international association. But we have to be aware at all times that this World Cup history can be over at any time. In this respect, it is precisely for this reason that we have to invest in organisational quality and in athlete advertising. Our claim must be that exactly the same number of athletes come, whether or not a World Cup takes place in Zofingen.

What are the biggest challenges facing the Powerman Zofingen in the coming years?
I think it will be even more difficult to raise the necessary funds. This means that we must be able to offer our partners genuine added value. Moving images and new media play a central role here. The same applies to the recruitment of participants. The best advertising ambassadors are the satisfied participants. In addition, we have to find people around the globe who are looking for a race as challenging as Zofingen. We must do this through digital channels and social media.

What can one expect new with regard to the 31st Powerman Zofingen on 7th/8th September 2019?
2019 is a year of consolidation. This means almost the same program and the same routes as 2018, which allows us to invest in quality. Then we want to take the opportunity to integrate the new transit communities more strongly and thus anchor them more firmly in the region. “12 communities – 1 race” is the motto. And then we want to further expand the Reitnau hotspot. This could also include a mountain race of a different kind, instead of driving a car by bike.

 Previously, Powerman Zofingen had three departments in the top management structure, plus a General Secretary. And then a good handful of department heads. Will it stay that way and how does it all work?
The organisation into the departments of Competition, Marketing and Services has proved its worth. However, we want to optimize cooperation and make it more efficient. Because the organization is somewhat complex and the final product, the competition weekend, is delivered only once a year, the leadership becomes more directive than in the past.

In 2019 you will personally tackle your 17th year as OC President of Powerman Zofingen. Is the momentum still as great as in the first year of office?
I’ve never counted the years and that’s a good sign for me personally. Powerman is for me a balance to my professional activity and must therefore be fun. This requires two things: success and a positive, optimistic environment. We have both at the moment, which was not the case 17 years ago, for example.

The OK has now grown to about 50 people. Where are there still vacancies that can/must be filled?
With an OK this big, there’s always a few vacancies. Mathematically, that would be 5 per year if an OC member stayed with it for ten years. If you would like to join us and be a part of a unique story, just contact us. However, new skills are also required, such as website programming, online sales, social media managers, international media and two or three project managers.

The Powerman Zofingen is the toughest and most important duathlon in the world. However, the atmosphere in Zofingen on the race weekend is very familiar. Do the athletes appreciate that?
The multisport community is developing more and more into two camps: the Ironman fans and the others. The second group seeks, among other things, family and personal contact and does not want to be seen only as a paying customer. That’s why the family atmosphere is very important to us.

The number of participants has stagnated somewhat in recent years. How do you plan to attract even more participants to Zofingen in the future?
We have no choice and that is THE task. We must increase the number of participants more quickly than in the past. To achieve this, we need to put more power into communication and communication and consistently focus on the international market. The number of participants in the Short Distance, PowerKids and Powerman CHARITY will then continue to rise automatically. A simple target is four times 500.

The retired Swiss top duathlete Marc Widmer is now Duathlon Director at the Swiss Triathlon Federation (Swiss Triathlon). The 38-year-old Zurich native succeeds Oliver Imfeld, who has taken up the post of General Secretary at Powerman Zofingen. Is this an ideal solution from the point of view of Powerman Zofingen?
It’s not a coincidence, but it’s a stroke of luck. Nobody has been on the road internationally in duathlon longer than Marc Widmer. Marc is one of the record participants at the Powerman Zofingen and knows exactly about the importance of the event taking place in Zofingen. I am very much looking forward to working with him. A further advantage is that Oliver Imfeld can now concentrate fully on his task as Secretary General of Powerman and that we will certainly make progress.

What is the development in duathlon sport on an international level like? Are there any new races in the International Duathlon Series?
Two to three new races are added every year. But we have also received enquiries for new races in Switzerland in recent weeks. I think that’s very positive. In Zofingen, however, we must concentrate first and foremost on our own cause. Rather we hold fate in our own hands than to put it in those of others, after all, our ambition is to be the number 1 event in duathlon sport.

Interview: Raphael Galliker

More information at  www.powerman.swiss

Stefan Ruf, OC President of Powerman Zofingen (far left) has signed the world championship contract with the International Triathlon Union (ITU) for the years 2019 and 2020.

Stefan Ruf, OC President of Powerman Zofingen (right), together with ITU Team Leader Duncan Hough.