Melanie Maurer wins in Greece
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
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Petra Eggenschwiler wins on Mallorca
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.
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The Day of the Three Queens
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”.
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Powerman Tramelan plans future
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
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“We have to invest in the quality of the organization and invest in athlete advertising”
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.
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Eggenschwiler and Le Bellec triumph, successful world record by Freddy Nock
Swiss women’s double victory, French men’s double victory at the 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. At her comeback after a two-year absence, Petra Eggenschwiler from Solothurn wins in front of Melanie Maurer from Wikon, who lives in Bern. Place 3 goes to the Israeli Antonia Reznikov. The Frenchman Gaël Le Bellec will triumph for the third time in the men’s competition after 2014 and 2015. This time in front of his compatriot Yannick Cadalen and the German Felix Köhler, who lives in Basel. The Swiss men started very well, but then had to give up or fall behind. Freddy Nock from Uerkheim set his announced world record attempt of 25 hours in the wheel of death and earned great applause in the Powerman Arena. Seen over the entire Powerman Zofingen weekend, around 1,200 athletes took part in the 30th Powerman Zofingen, around 100 fewer than last year.
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Text: Raphael Galliker
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“I didn’t expect that in any way,” Petra Eggenschwiler could not even really claim her title at the 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. “I didn’t believe in winning until I started on the last 10 kilometre run. “The longer the race lasted, the more pain I had and I just hoped that I could hold out. For health reasons, the 30-year-old Langendörferin, who grew up in Laupersdorf, has not started at Powerman Zofingen in the last two years. “Somehow I regret this, but I have returned all the more successfully now.” Eggenschwiler attacked decisively on the last of the three 50 kilometre cycle laps and left her last tough rival, Melanie Maurer. The latter, who grew up in Wikon and now lives in Bern, was more than satisfied with the silver medal. “That’s mega and nobody expected a Swiss double victory. As I had problems running because of my stomach, I only hoped that the lead over the third placed athlete would still reach the finish line”. It worked out for Maurer. Finally, Antonia Reznikov from Israel took third place. Thanks to 4th place for Nina Zoller and 5th place for Daniela Schwarz, the Swiss team finished in four of the top five places – sensational. Among others, Miriam Van Reijen (NED), 2017 World Vice Champion and Nina Brenn, 2016 World Vice Champion (Achilles tendon problems) had to give up. Due to injury, Emma Pooley, a Briton living in Canton Zurich, who had become World Champion in Zofingen in the last four years, was not at the start.
Le Bellec in third place
Le Bellec, who had already become world champion in Zofingen in 2015 and 2014, divided his race and the forces very intelligently, let his two remaining rivals Yannick Cadalen and the German Felix Köhler, who lives in Basel, do the leading work, sometimes also attack. “I was able to keep up the rhythm I had set once, no matter what was going on around me.” The 30- year-old Frenchman only praised the new route:”I love it when it’s not just straight ahead, but up and down. By the way, the same double victory Le Bellac in front of his compatriot Cadalen already existed in 2014, and Köhler was very satisfied with third place: “I tried to stay on the bike and probably needed too much strength. In the starting phase, a number of Swiss players were in the lead. After that, one by one, or a lot behind. After a brilliant start Ronnie Schildknecht, Fabian Zehnder and finally Rolf Wermelinger gave in the course of the race. In the end, the Zurich hopeful Jens-Michael Gossauer was the best-ranked Swiss in 8th place. With Andreas Kälin, a second Swiss made it into the top ten.
Successful 23rd world record
Freddy Nock has contributed a lot to a great 30th Powerman Zofingen. The 53-year-old Uerkheimer set his 23rd world record. “Pain, feelings of tears, happiness and I’m proud to have done it and to have kept my promise to my son Leo.” The great father-son harmony was seen several times during the successful 25-hour world record on the death wheel. “A very big compliment to my colleagues at the IWTOA-WingTsun-King-Fu-D.B.-School Aarau for the great support during the world record attempt and in the weeks before the training”. This will have been Nock’s last world record attempt on the death wheel after setting the record at the RTL donations marathon twelve years ago, together with Joey Kelly, to 24 hours. “That was definitely the last record on the death wheel, but other world records are planned,” said Nock, who had toyed with the idea three times. No wonder, as Nock completed a total of more than 140 kilometres, i.e. more than three marathons. Twice during the world record attempt Natascha Badmann, ambassador of Powerman Zofingen, brought him bananas.
Satisfied OC President
OC President Stefan Ruf drew a positive conclusion on Sunday evening. “I am highly satisfied. This was a sensational one from a Swiss point of view with the double victory with the women.” In fact, this happened for the last time in 2002 thanks to Karin Thürig and Ariane Schumacher or also in 2000 thanks to Natascha Badmann and Susanne Rufer. “I would like to treat Petra Eggenschwiler to the superior victory from my heart, as she has had a great season so far with various successes in mountain runs and long-distance races. Ruf was satisfied with the 1,200 participants. “We expected about 400 participants each over the short and long distance, at the CHARITY there were mainly fewer participants because the jumbo people were no longer present and we no longer bet on the celebrities”. The result was 100 fewer participants than last year and 200 fewer each than in 2016 and 2015.
30th Powerman Zofingen, 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships (10 km Run/150 km Cycling / 30 km Running)
Men/men:
1 Gaël Le Bellec (FRA) 6:07.50. 2 Yannick Cadalen (FRA) 6:10.29. 3 Felix Köhler (GER) 6:12.42. 4 Maxim Kuzmin (RUS) 6:16.12. 5 Denis Sketako (SLO) 6:23.06 June Albert Harrison (USA) 6:25.52. 7 Allister Caird (AUS) 6:26.38. 8 Jens-Michael Gossauer (SUI) 6:27.51. 9 Jarmo Rissanen (FIN) 6:30.22.,8 10. Andreas Kälin (SUI) 6:33.59. 11. Marc Widmer (SUI) 6:37.48. 12. Ramon Krebs (SUI) 6:40.34. 13. Roberto Delorenzi (SUI) 6:43.29.,5 14. Rubén Andrés Garcia (ESP) 6:44.32. 15. Kasper Laumann Hartlev (DEN) 6:52.19. 16. Soren Bystrup (DEN) 6:54.51. 17. Thomas Bruins (AUS) 7:06.09. 18. Matt Baker (AUS) 7:53.11. Not classified: Michele Paonne (LIE), Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI), Fabian Zehnder (SUI), Peter Lohrmann (USA), Rui Narigueta (PRT), Julian Lings (SUI), Rolf Wermelinger (SUI), Seppe Odeyn (BEL)
Women/women:
1.Petra Eggenschwiler (SUI) 7:00.39. 2. Melanie Maurer (SUI) 7:22.42. 3. Antonia Reznikov (ISR) 7:24.20. 4. Nina Zoller (SUI) 7:35.25. 5. Daniela Schwarz (SUI) 7:36.52. 6. Flora Colledge (SUI) 7:39.39. 7. Katrin Esefeld (GER) 7:46.09. 8. Marie Brandt Schultz (DEN) 7:47.20. 9. Katrin Saly Graf (SUI) 7:47.24. 10. Virginie Soenen (BEL) 7:53.47. 11. Maja Jacober (SUI) 8:03.50. 12. Jennifer Santoyo (USA) 8:41.20. Not classified: Miriam Van Reijen (NED), Martina Krähenbühl (SUI), Nina Brenn (SUI).
More results on: https://www.datasport.com/de/
Short Distance, (10 km running, 50 km cycling, 5 km running) Men/men:
1 Daan De Groot (NED) 2:08.20. 2 Daan Schouten (NED) 2:11.40 3 Luuk Vermunt (NED) 2:13.16
Women/women:
1.Irina Raschle (SUI) 2:36.54. 2. Jacqueline Uebelhart (SUI) 2:37.27. 3. Giovanna Costa Martins (BRA) 2:38.47
More results on: https://www.datasport.com/de/
Picture captions:
1.) The Swiss Petra Eggenschwiler (Langendorf/SO) and the Frenchman Gaël Le Bellec win the 2018 ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships at the 30th Powerman Zofingen.
2.) Freddy Nock and his team after the successful 25-hour world record attempt on the death wheel.
3.) OC President Stefan Ruf congratulates Melanie Maurer on the Vice World Champion title.
4.) Natascha Badmann, the ambassador of Powerman Zofingen, cut a very good figure on the short distance, had a lot of fun, also made the fellow competitors and the fans at the roadside a great pleasure.
Photos: Raphael Galliker
More pictures from the 1st day of competition can be found on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/powerman- zofingen/albums/72157695028395570/with/29470970727/
More pictures of the 2nd day of competition can be found at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/powerman-zofingen/sets/72157700582960844/
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When Natascha brings Freddy a banana
Like last year, it rained on the first day of the Powerman Zofingen weekend. In the faces of the participants, however, there was a radiance everywhere. This started with the Family Contest in the Expo Zone, with the exhibitors themselves, but above all also with the 220 or so PowerKids and the 150 or so participants in the
Powerman CHARITY, which took place for the first time on Saturday. With a smile on his face, Freddy Nock also completed the first hours of his 25-hour world record attempt on the death wheel. In the early evening the anniversary celebration 30 years Powerman Zofongen, in the evening then the Powerman party in the city hall Zofingen rose.
On the first day of the 30th Powerman Zofingen the children, the families, the CHARITY participants, Freddy Nock and the anniversary celebration were the centre of attention. At the 4th Family Contest various positions were on the program. The PowerKids races were attended by 220 children between the ages of 1 and 13, divided into five different categories. For the third time, the PowerFamily category (one parent and at least one child) was added, in which over 50 people took part. “Thanks to this category, among other things, we had a marked increase in the number of participants compared to last year,” said Fanny and Chiara Schaffner, who are responsible for the PowerKids races. “The great joy, the exemplary commitment and enthusiasm of the children are the reward for our work. There was stagnation in the category Youth and Beginners, which was implemented for the 3rd time, where only a handful of people took part.
CHARITY new on Saturday
This year’s Powerman CHARITY took place for the first time not on Powerman Sunday, but already on Saturday. This year, the proceeds of the Powerman CHARITY will go to the Spittelhof Zofingen, the “Think of me” foundation and the Swiss Muscle Society. While in the last two years there were about 200 people taking part, this year only about 130 people took part in the 5 km long fun run. Among them was Markus Bindschädler from Zofingen, who took part in the CHARITY for the first time. “I’ll run with my dog Borka and enjoy the 5 kilometers from A to Z.” With Oliver Imfeld, Secretary General of Powerman Zofingen, another very committed OK member took part in CHARITY: “I have to hurry, because the next tasks are waiting for me. “This is like my lunch break, so I can’t have much more than 20 minutes. Rothrister Kickbox-Crack, director and actor Kazim Carman also had to be quick on the CHARITY track, as he had to look after his Expo stand before and after. “I can handle the strain easily. I’ve already eaten three standard Kazim bars today.”
Freddy Nock on the Wheel of Death
At noon on Saturday Freddy Nock started his world record attempt in the north of the Powerman Zofingen Arena. A few minutes earlier, the world-famous Uerkheim high- wire artist ran to the toilet. “The nervousness is beginning to take effect.” The 22 world record holder was calmed down by his seven-year-old son Leo. “You can do Daddy. Besides, I’ll run the wheel of death with you once in a while.” As soon as Freddy Nock and his companions of the IWTOA-WingTsun-Kung-Fu-D.B-Schule Aarau were on the road again, he started with little tricks, mostly above the death wheel. “I take this liberty because 12 years ago I had much less freedom than here at the RTL donation marathon with the successful world record attempt over 24 hours.” Nock will have completed no less than three marathons by Sunday afternoon at 1 pm, not on a straight track, but on a bike that is constantly going up and down.
On Sunday it’s serious
The 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will start at 8am on Sunday morning. The women are first, at 9 o’clock the men come to the course with the honorary starter Natascha Badmann. The World Championship program includes 10 running, 150 bike and another 30 running kilometres. The teams start at 9.35 a.m. At 9.45 am (women), and at 9.50 am (men) the start of the short distance duathlon takes place over 10 running, 50 bike and 5 running kilometres. Natascha Badmann can also be admired on the short distance course. A summary of the race and the decisive phase of the World Championship race will be broadcast live on TV 24 and Tele M1 between 2 pm and 4 pm. There is also a live stream from 8 to 16 o’clock, where you can follow the whole race. This on http://www.powerman.ch/de/live-race-reportZudem there is also a commented live internet stream on www.powerman.ch and www.powerman.swiss.
text/photos: Raphael Galliker
Click here for the live videos of PowerKids, Charity and Freddy Nock:
https://www.facebook.com/PowermanZofingen/
Captions
No. 1: On the first Powerman Zofingen day, the PowerKids flocked into the PowermanArena in great numbers.
No. 2: Freddy Nock started his 25-hour world record attempt on the death wheel on Saturday at 12 noon right behind the Powerman Zofingen Arena.
No. 3: Natascha Badmann in continuous use: Freddy Nock is delighted that the six-time Hawaii and three-time Powerman Zofingen winner personally presented him with a banana.
No. 4: The start of Powerman CHARITY took place in the arena this time.
No. 5: The speech to mark the 30th anniversary of Powerman Zofingen was given by Zofingen’s city mayor Hans-Ruedi Hottiger in the arena overlooking the death wheel with Freddy Nock.
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Powerman Zofingen 2018: Welcome Party
At the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen, a new ITU delegation led by team leader Duncan Hough from Great Britain and Dirk Bogaert from Belgium. At the Welcome Party in Aarburg the representatives of the International Triathlon Union (ITU), together with the invited foreign athletes in the Homestay program, the Homestay families and OK members of the Powerman Zofingen had a lot of fun. But now the seriousness of competition life begins. “If the Powerman Zofingen weekend is as good as the cake here, it will be brilliant,” Hough said.
A fixed date in the Powerman Zofingen agenda is the welcome party, which also took place this year at the Haus der Nautiker in Aarburg. Many athletes benefit from the special homestay program of Powerman Zofingen. Homestay means that a family offers their private rooms to an athlete before and during Powerman Zofingen free of charge. As a thank you, the Homestay families are invited to eat and drink on the Thursday before the Powerman Zofingen weekend and meet top cracks time and again. Also present are the representatives and members of the world-famous Jubilee Club, which includes athletes who have finished the Powerman Zofingen at least ten times over the long distance. The Jubilee Club members are already recognizable from a distance in their usual green shirts, the Ambassadors have a blue shirt.
Travelling from all continents
Stefan Ruf, OC President of Powerman Zofingen, was particularly pleased that duathlon event organisers from all continents were present. “Despite the long journey from New Zealand, South Africa or Scandinavia, everyone seems to be in a good mood.” The welcome party was a very nice start to the Powerman Zofingen weekend. “We are ready and on Sunday, under ideal weather conditions, we will experience a great World Cup anniversary race on a new track.
Much praise from the ITU
The new ITU managers praised the Powerman Zofingen very much: “Here everything is still much nicer than I expected and also the new track is excellent, but very hard. The preparations for the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships are going very well and when the competitions are as good as the cake here, it will be bombastic,” praised ITU team leader Duncan Hough, who previously knew and heard only one thing from Zofingen: “Powerman, Powerman, Powerman”.
Register now!
On Friday evening the opening ceremony of the 30th Powerman Zofingen will take place, on Saturday the Powerman CHARITY, the PowerKids, the youth- and beginner categories will be in the spotlight and on Sunday the short and long distance duathlon. After 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the latter will be held for the eleventh time in Zofingen as the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. The ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) are organising a joint World Championship in Zofingen for the eighth time in a row. If you want to be there on Saturday or Sunday, you can register at www.powerman.ch and www.powerman.swiss or on site up to half an hour before the start of each race (for the long distance only for the age categories and only available on Saturday)!
text/photos: Raphael Galliker
Click here for the live videos of the welcome party:
https://www.facebook.com/PowermanZofingen/
Captions
1). At the Welcome Party in Aarburg the quartet could still enjoy the sweet life, from now on the 30th Powerman Zofingen and the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships, from left: Duncan Hough (ITU Team Leader), Dirk Bogaert (Technical Delegate ITU), Stefan Ruf (OC President Powerman Zofingen) and Oliver Imfeld (Secretary General Powerman Zofingen).
2.) The Powerman Zofingen family, here with group picture at the welcome party in Aarburg, is now growing day by day.
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Favoriten – Powerman Zofingen 2018: Maja Jacober (SUI)
Wir präsentieren Euch in einer Serie die WM-Favoriten/in a serie we present you the favorites for the world championship title. Heute mit/today with:
Maja Jacober (SUI)
Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
2.6.1972/2nd of June 1972.
Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
3: Platz 3/3rd place 2006, 2007, 2008.
Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Platz 12/12th place.
Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Aufgrund meiner gesundheitlichen Probleme in den letzten Jahren und auch aktuell musste ich mein Ziel für den Powerman Zofingen 2018 nach unten anpassen. Zum 18. Mal finishen und einen guten Tag sowie ein Rennen ohne gröbere Probleme zu haben, das wäre schon toll!/Due to my injuries in the last few years and actually as well I had to downgrade my goals for the 30th Powerman Zofingen. To be able to finish for the 18th time, to have a good day and a race without severe problems would be very nice already!
Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
Aufgrund meiner Verletzungen der letzten Jahre konnte ich dieses Jahr noch keine grösseren Erfolge feiern./Because of my injuries in the last few years I couldn’t celebrate any big successes this year yet.
Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Nein, mit der bisherigen Saison bin ich gar nicht zufrieden. Dafür müsste schon noch das Überqueren der Finishline in Zofingen dazukommen mit einem passablen Resultat./No, I’m not at all satisfied with the season so far. To be satisfied I would have to be able to cross the finishing line on the 2nd of September and this with a good result.
Homepage:
keine/none
Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker
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Alpha Foto captures also you
Again this year, Alpha Foto from Dietikon will take pictures of every single athlete. You can search for your pictures by using your starting number. The pictures can be ordered just after the event directly at Alpha Foto.
Find here the Link to Alpha Foto 2018
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