The 31st Powerman Zofingen will take place from 6th to 8th September 2019. On Sunday the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will take place. The official media conference was held in Reitnau on September 2, 2019, where the heart of the new cycle track, which was opened last year, will be located. The top duathletes Petra Eggenschwiler/Melanie Maurer and Rolf Wermelinger/Michael Ott completed a small prologue in duos for the first time on the demanding climb in Reitnau.

Media conference on the 31st Powerman Zofingen, latest news

Petra Eggenschwiler biting her teeth

On September 8th the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will take place in Zofingen. At the Monday media conference in Reitnau, Petra Eggenschwiler made it clear that she was doing everything she could to defend her title. For a few weeks now, the 31-year-old from Solothurn has been carrying a foot injury around with her. The vice world champion Melanie Maurer still sees Eggenschwiler in pole position for the world championship title. Sami Götz, head of competitive sport duathlon at Swiss Duathlon, hopes for two World Championship medals for women and very good placings for men, especially for Matthias Ott and Rolf Wermelinger.

On 8 September 2019 ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will take place again in Zofingen. The fact that the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) have now awarded these for the 12th time after 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, nota bene for the ninth time in a row, after Zofingen, is unique for triathlon and duathlon sport. At the media conference in Reitnau, OC President Stefan Ruf confirmed that everything is set for the upcoming Powerman Zofingen weekend. “It takes almost a three-year lead to make sure everything is ready for day X at such ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships.” On Saturday, September 7th, the PowerKids and Family races plus the Powerman CHARITY (5 km running for a good cause) will take place. You can still register here via www.powerman.swiss or on the day of the competition. Those who are determined at short notice can also register for the short distance on Sunday, 8 September or for the long distance in the age categories. “I am very grateful that the Zofingen region has a great deal of understanding for such a sporting event,” said Ruf. In particular, he thanked the local residents along the 50 kilometre cycle route, which is very well secured. “Nevertheless, mutual caution is required, especially in villages and neighbourhoods, and athletes can reach speeds of around 70 km/h on certain descents.”

Optimal for spectators
Asked about the ideal Sunday programme for spectators, Ruf says: “I would come to Zofingen on Sunday morning and follow the women’s World Cup start at 8 o’clock and the men’s start an hour later. Afterwards it is best to move to Reitnau, where the new heart of the cycle route is, especially thanks to the many hairpin bends up the mountain. I would then move back to Zofingen to see the athletes at the finish in time.”

Confident Nati trainer
Sami Götz, head of competitive sports duathlon at Swiss Duathlon, is optimistic about the Powerman Zofingen Sunday. “The Swiss athletes are very well prepared and this week it’s all about sleeping well and eating well, respectively enough. Götz hopes for a lot with the women: “With the women we have chances for two World Cup medals.” By this he primarily means Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer, who celebrated a double victory last year. Eggenschwiler: “I’m sure I’ll bite all my teeth so that I can start on Sunday and get through the race”. The 31-year-old from Solothurn suffered a foot injury (fluid under the bursa) at the Glacier 3000 Run in the Bernese Oberland almost two weeks ago. Despite this injury Eggenschwiler won the Inferno Triathlon, which she called one of the highlights of the season. “Because the Powerman Zofingen is another such highlight and every step still hurts me, I decided to give up my home race, the Weissenstein mountain run.” The 31-year-old Wikon Melanie Maurer, who lives in Liebefeld and came second last year, feels in top form. “Petra Eggenschwiler is the favourite, but I have to look after myself and give my best on Sunday.” Among the men, Götz is most likely to expect an exploit from Matthias Ott or Rolf Wermelinger. “Both are in excellent shape, so they’re already for a top result on Sunday.”

Text: Raphael Galliker

Powerman Zofingen Magazine 2019 is online

Today a 48-page Powerman Zofingen magazine in tabloid format (A4) will be published for the World Cup event. It contains a lot of interesting information and stories for athletes and spectators.
The magazine is published in all Mittelland daily newspapers of AZ-Medien AG, i.e. Oltner Tagblatt, Solothurner Zeitung, Grenchner Tagblatt, Zofinger Tagblatt, Luzerner Nachrichten, Aargauer Zeitung and Basellandschaftliche Zeitung. This in a circulation of around 170,000 copies to date. Of course, the magazine will also be available at the event itself.

The magazine is available here

Text/photo: Raphael Galliker

Nina Zoller (SUI), number 4 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

«Primarily I want to enjoy the race»

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Nina Zoller’s turn today. The 32-year-old from Graubünden, currently number 4 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19, achieved places 5 and 4 in the first two Powerman Zofingen races, but is stacking low for this year: «Primarily I want to enjoy the race and let myself be surprised.»

Nina Zoller starts in Zofingen for the third time over the long distance. In the last two years, the 32-year-old from Chur just missed the podium – rank 5 in 2017 and rank 4 last year. So this year it would logically be rank 3. «Primarily I want to enjoy the race and be surprised», says Zoller about her goal for this year at the 31st Powerman Zofingen. «The competition is strong, but of course I’m happy if I can get a little involved.» She is satisfied with the course of the season so far: «Yes, I was able to celebrate three successes at the Alpen Challenge Lenzerheide, the Engadin Cycling Marathon and the Ascent Race in St. Gallen and also won bronze at the Swiss Duathlon Championships.»

Text: Raphael Galliker

Here you can find more information about the registration for the Powerman Zofingen 2019

Daniela Schwarz (SUI), number 13 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

«I want to do a hell of a job»

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Daniela Schwarz’s turn today. The Winterthur woman, who celebrates her 34th birthday one day after this year’s Powerman Zofingen, is the current number 13 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19. The single winner of this year’s Gigathlon starts at the Powerman Zofingen for the third time. After two starts over the short distance (2016 and 2017) Schwarz finished fifth last year at her debut over the long distance.

Asked about her goal at the 31st Powerman Zofingen, Daniela Schwarz says like out of a gun: «I want to deliver a great performance.» This was done by the 34-year-old from Winterthur, who will be 34 on 9 September 2019 when she makes her debut last year with rank 5, making her the fourth best Swiss woman behind Petra Eggenschwiler (1st place), Melanie Maurer (2nd place) and Nina Zoller (4th place). Also this season Schwarz has shown a big trump: Gigathlon victory in the women’s singles category, 4th place in the interval duathlon in Zofingen, age class victory in the Ironman Switzerland 70.3 and 2nd place in her age group in the Ironman Switzerland 140.6. «The season could hardly have gone better so far! And most importantly, I’m symptom-free and injury-free.»

Text: Raphael Galliker

Here you can find more information about the registration for the Powerman Zofingen 2019

Antonia Reznikov (ISR), number 7 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

«I really like this race in Zofingen»

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Antonia Reznikov’s turn today. The 33-year-old from Israel, currently number 7 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19, stepped by her first appearance in Zofingen on the podium – third place last year: «I really liked it and immediately after the finish I planned to come again.»

For Antonia Reznikow the Powerman Zofingen was love at first sight. «For me every competition is a goal but the start in Zofingen is very special for me.» The 33-year-old lady from Israel last year startet at the Powerman Zofingen fort he first time, got third and was very happy: «I really liked it and immediately after the finish I planned to come again.» The number 7 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19 is not satified with the season so far. «I am a little sad because many of my goals were not achieved, but this is sport and I always keep my head towards my goal.» This year Reznikow finished four times a triathlon over the iron distance «and ist was a great achievement for me to win one of them». She is a tough athlet: «I train in one of the hottest spots of the world, in the city of Eilat, with winds and mountains and a beautiful red sea. Every day I open my window and I see the border of the two countries Jordan and Egypt.»

Text: Raphael Galliker

Here you can find more information about the registration for the Powerman Zofingen 2019

31st Powerman Zofingen: 7th/8th September 2019

Mileage boards along the bike course are jaloniert

The 31st Powerman Zofingen is approaching in huge steps. It’s the weekend of September 7th/8th. The mileage boards along the bike course have been jaloniert since the beginning of this week. The small signposts were also placed in the middle of this week. That means that the whole track is now completely jaloniert about two weeks before the race. The responsible persons in the OC of the Powerman Zofingen will now tame the running course in the course of the coming week, so that training athletes will find their way through the forest effortlessly.

Text: Raphael Galliker

Here you can find more information about the registration for the Powerman Zofingen 2019

Melanie Maurer (SUI), number 2 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

«I want to repeat the top performance of 2018»

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Melanie Maurer’s turn today. The 31-year-old, who grew up in the Lucerne Wikon and lives in the Bernese Liebefeld, is currently number 2 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19 and has a clear goal for September 8, 2019: «I want to repeat my top performance of 2018, at least to reach the top 5.»

Melanie Maurer starts in Zofingen for the third time over the long distance. After the 8th place in 2017 there was a clear increase in performance last year with the vice world champion title behind Petra Eggenschwiler. So this year the goal of the current world ranking list number 2 should be number 1. The 31-year-old, who grew up in Wikon and now lives in Liebefeld/BE, stays on the ground. «I want to repeat my top performance of 2018, at least reach the top five.» Since this season Maurer is member of a French team and announced her participation in the 31st Powerman Zofingen only in late summer. She is satisfied with the course of the season so far: «Yes, I was able to secure the Swiss Champion title in the duathlon both over the short and middle distance and won silver at the European Championship over the middle distance.» And also in the private area there is a sense of achievement: «My cat is pregnant and I am already looking forward to the kittens.»

Text: Raphael Galliker

Here you can find more information about the registration for the Powerman Zofingen 2019

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

«Increase technical quality»

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). On 8 September 2019, the World Championship race will once again take place on the new track, which was held for the first time last year. 2019 is a year of consolidation with the aim of improving quality, especially in the technical area.

Stefan Ruf, on 7th/8th September 2019, in a few weeks, the 31st Powerman Zofingen will take place. Is everything ready?
Stefan Ruf, OK President Powerman Zofingen: A month before the event is always the moment when the nervousness rises. Have they thought of everything? Are all precautions taken? Fortunately, this year we don’t have the hectic pace of 2018, when we had to use every means at our disposal to find a new bike course at very short notice. This year it will be the same course as planned, so that we have been able to work on improvements, for example in track safety.

Last year there was a new bike route, are there any adjustments in view of this year?
No, the route is exactly the same. Unfortunately we still have to drive on the dangerous Renzlingenstrasse in Reiden, although we have worked out other variants together with the municipality of Reiden. Unfortunately, the Lucerne police did not support them.

“12 transit communities – one race” is the slogan used in connection with the new cycle track that was introduced last year. How are the transit congregations involved in this?
During the last months we were allowed to present the Powerman Zofingen event to the authorities in various communities, especially in the new transit points, and met with a very positive response. We appreciate that very much. The permanent dialogue with the communities is an important concern for us. A first concrete positive consequence is that the local fire brigade can be deployed in various municipalities for stretch safety tasks.

What are the changes for the 31st Powerman Zofingen?
2019 is a year of consolidation with the aim of improving quality, especially in the technical area. I’m thinking, as I mentioned, of route planning and safety or of food stations, where the experience of 2018 will be the basis for improvements in details. Furthermore, we try to simplify wherever possible. For example, for the first time all starts, including the Kids race and the CHARITY run, will take place at exactly the same location.

What needs to be even better in the future?
There is always much to improve! With regard to the next few years, we have to put all our efforts back into marketing the event. We laid a foundation for this just a few weeks ago with the addition of new staff to our media and communications team.

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. After 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) are now staging the World Championships in Zofingen for the twelfth and 13th time in a row for the ninth and tenth time. Is this becoming routine?
Routine is a central element for the success in our organization and should be strived for with it. However, cooperation with international associations in particular is a constant challenge. Each new Technical Delegate has his or her own ideas and it is important to find a common denominator.

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 don’t count the years and think that’s a good sign for me personally. What I am very happy about is the development of duathlon in Switzerland. Switzerland is one of the leading nations again and new names have discovered the Duathlon for themselves. Something worries me at the moment the international development. The number of races of the worldwide Powerman series has settled at ten to twelve. I would prefer to see 20 to 25, otherwise the Powerman brand cannot be sufficiently publicized.

In the women’s category, Petra Eggenschwiler (SUI), Melanie Maurer (SUI) and Antonia Reznikov (ISR) will probably be on last year’s podium. So we can expect a top race?
This is indeed the case, and it is of course very gratifying that two Swiss women should be able to fight for victory at the same time. I expect a very close race between Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer.

For the men, the start of defending champion Gaël Le Bellec (FRA) is anything but certain due to an accident in May. The race for the podium seems more open than ever?
I expect three athletes at the top who were not in the ranking in 2018. First, the Swiss shooting star and former marathon runner Michael Ott, who dominated the national competitions in 2019. Then the 2017 World Champion, Seppe Odeyn (BEL), will certainly do his utmost to make his failed 2018 competition forgotten, and then his young compatriot Diego van Looy, who has already won several Ironman competitions this year and who has already achieved excellent marathon times and will therefore have to be considered on the final 30 km run.

Speaking of Le Bellec. Over and over again duathletes are shot down by cars during training. You, too, were the victim of an accident like this a few weeks ago. Do these accidents make you sick to your stomach?
This of course also applies to cyclists and triathletes and not only to duathletes. On the one hand, it is a consequence of the fact that there is now simply more traffic than 30 years ago, but it also has to do with the behaviour of road users, which in my opinion has become more inconsiderate. In addition, there are the most diverse sources of distraction, which did not exist 30 years ago. I myself cycle about 5,000 km of bicycles and 50,000 km of cars every year and am therefore not a missionary representative of one side or the other. Unfortunately, I do not have the magic formula for solving this problem either. In my opinion, no solution is to displace cyclists on narrow, dangerous pavements or so-called cycle paths that do not deserve this name.

The OK has now grown to about 50 people. Where are there still vacancies that can/must be filled?
With this size there are always some changes and thus free positions. What we need above all are colleagues who are prepared to take on a planning or management task that requires commitment throughout the year, but significantly less work immediately before and at the event.

In the upper areas of the OC, quite a lot of new staff has been recruited recently. Was this necessary in view of the future of the Powerman Zofingen?
We are constantly on the lookout for the optimal organizational structure. The one thing is the structure, the other is the people. The second is much more important in an honorary organisation that organises an event once a year.

The number of participants has stagnated somewhat in recent years. What for?
The last two years we had to use too many resources for personnel renewals and route changes. These have been lacking in the recruitment of participants and therefore the number of participants has not grown in the last two years. More participants must therefore be the big target for 2020.

Also with the Powerman CHARITY and the PowerKids you stir the advertising drum more intensively. Do the participants benefit from this as well?
These are the possibilities for everyone to be a Powerman, a Powerwoman or a PowerKid and to take part in the Powerman Zofingen event. Sporting talent and a lot of training are not required. I hope that many readers will make use of the unique opportunity to start at the same place and run through the exact same goal as the World Champion will do 24 hours later.

Interview: Raphael Galliker