31st Powerman Zofingen: PowerKids and Powerman CHARITY

Leo and Freddy Nock in single use

As in the last two years it rained this year on the first day of the Powerman Zofingen weekend. This time the sun showed up in time for the start of the PowerKids. This was appreciated by around 200 PowerKids and around 150 participants in the Powerman CHARITY, which was held for the second time on Saturday.

On the first competition day of the 31st Powerman Zofingen the children, the families and the CHARITY participants were the centre of attention. Around 200 children between the ages of 1 and 13 were involved in the PowerKids races, divided into five different categories. For the fifth time the category PowerFamily (one parent and at least one child) was added, in which more than 35 people took part. “This is the category that gives me the most pleasure. One parent, together with at least one child, can take part in a competition there that is a lot of fun, which you can also see in their radiant faces,” said Chiara Schaffner, who is responsible for the PowerKids races. “The great joy, the exemplary commitment and the enthusiasm of the children are for us the reward for the work done. »

City council does good
This year the Powerman CHARITY took place for the second time not on Powerman Sunday but on Saturday. The proceeds from the Powerman CHARITY will go to Spittelhof Zofingen and the foundation “Denk an mich” this year. Compared to last year, there was a slight increase with 145 participants. “With Christiane Guyer, Dominik Gresch, Peter Siegrist and Andreas Rüegger, more than half of the city council took part, which I really appreciate,” says Christoph Gassner, responsible for the Powerman CHARITY at Powerman Zofingen. Actually, city mayor Hans-Ruedi Hottiger had also assured his participation. “But I had to pass because of a pulled thigh,” he told me on the phone.

Freddy and Leo Nock in action
In the last Powerman Zofingen anniversary year Freddy Nock had broken the 24 hour world record in the wheel of death. This time the world-famous Uerkheim high rope artist again took part in the Powerman CHARITY. “This time for the first time with my son Leo, of whom I am very proud, he seems to want to follow in my footsteps with high ropes.” Leo had already taken part in the PowerKids competition before. “I trained on the high wire for my double use and in the 5 kilometre run I always had to wait a little for my father. “Kazim Carman finished faster than the Nock duo. The Rothrister Kickbox-Crack, director and actor had trained regularly on the 1’000er-Stägeli in Aarburg. “My heart beats for Andy Hug, the late K1 star would have turned 55 today,” he said and went straight back to his Expo stand. “I can handle these strains easily, I’ve already eaten four standard Kazim bars today.” Sara Bachmann, who took part in the course with her bitch, was again the right person to get her dog. “Aria jumped like a madman, kept pulling me, but would have gone hopeless without my sense of direction.”

On Sunday it’s serious
The 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will start on Sunday morning at 8am. The women are first and there is good news from a Swiss point of view. Defending champion Petra Eggenschwiler from Solothurn starts: “At least I try, I feel much better than I did at the media conference at the beginning of the week. I don’t know how my foot will feel, I haven’t run for a few weeks.” At 9:00 a.m., the men come to the train. The World Cup programme includes 10 running, 150 cycling and another 30 running kilometres. Teams start at 9:35. At 9.45 am (women) and 9.50 am (men) the Shortdistance-Duathlon starts over 10 running, 50 cycling and 5 running kilometres. Natascha Badmann from Küngoldingen, six-time Ironman Hawaii winner and two-time Powerman Zofingen winner, will also be on display on the short distance course. A summary of the race as well as the decisive phase of the World Championship race will be broadcast live on TV 24 and Tele M1 between 2pm and 4pm. This with the presenter duo Natascha Badmann/Raphael Galliker. There is also a livestream from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. where you can watch the whole race. See www.powerman.swiss, where you can also find a commented live internet stream.

Text: Raphael Galliker

Yesterday this year’s “international night” took place on Heitere. We have prepared some impressions for you:

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