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May 16, 2022

Category: powerman

Diego van Looy: “Because the Duathlon World Championship is more brutal than any triathlon in the world”

Saturday, 10 July 2021 by Reinhard Standke
The preparations are going according to plan: on September 18-19, the long-distance Duathlon World Championships will take place in Zofingen Switzerland. Belgian Diego van Looy counts the “brutal” Powerman Zofingen among the “epic races”. After difficult months, the defending champion of the long-distance duathlon world championship hopes his health allows a start in September.
Slowly, competition in the professional field is picking up again. Who of the athletes will be at the Powerman Zofingen in September? Some of them are already delivering top times again. But there are others as well: For these athletes, the start line seems far away at the moment.
“The forced break caused a mental low”
One of them is Diego van Looy. The Belgian won the duathlon long-distance world championship race in the fall of 2019. “I hope I can start in September and I do a lot for it, but it remains questionable for me,” says the 30-year-old athlete. On the one hand, there is an Achilles tendon injury that slows down the triathlete and forces him to use alternative training methods.
And also on the mental level Diego van Looy is currently trying everything to get on the right track. Last season, as is well known, hardly any triathlon races came to fruition because of the Corona pandemic. “That was extremely difficult for me. Triathlon gives me my income, I live off prize money and sponsorship money,” van Looy explains. “The forced break caused a mental low for me and I’m not quite out of it yet.” Last weekend, he missed the Ironman in Lanzarote, his second home. “I hope my joy for the sport will return.”
Perhaps memories of his big coup in 2019 can help, the thought of the emotions when he was allowed to enter the arena in Zofingen as world champion? “Yes, that was a nice day,” says Diego van Looy, “and of course I haven’t forgotten the pain and suffering on the way to the finish, and the pride that I was the first to finish.” And then suddenly it’s there again, the fire. Zofingen, he says, is a race he would love to do every year, “Because in the end it’s more brutal than any triathlon in the world, especially the second run leg is so hard with all the climbs that kill the legs.”
No chance to fulfill Olympic dream
Diego van Looy competed in his last event on August 30, 2020, when he won the inaugural Vercors Man Triathlon in France. Since last spring, he had to take a three-month break from swimming twice because the indoor and outdoor pools were closed. When it became apparent that the 2020 triathlon season might fall through due to a pandemic, Diego van Looy focused primarily on running. He flirted with qualifying for the Olympics in the marathon. As a triathlete, he managed a marathon time of 2:24 in 30-degree weather without any special preparation, and he might have been able to break the Olympic limit of 2:11:30, van Looy says. “But none of the race organizers let me try, they all already required a 2:14 result for eligibility.” That, he says, was a damper. It was only after a seven-week break that Diego van Looy started training again.
No desire for virtual races
He also refrained from virtual formats, saying that wasn’t his thing. “I want to be able to stand on the starting line together with my competitors, and do it for real, physically,” he says, hoping to tackle more “epic races” like the Powerman again in the future. Until then, the duathlon world champion is also using the night to prepare. At home in Belgium, he has mounted an “altitude tent” on his bed. This simulates air conditions like in the mountains and has a similar effect to altitude training. But he prefers to be directly in the mountains. In the summer, he usually plans a training camp of about one month in the Engadine, also in view of the Powerman Zofingen.
Homestay family Pfäffli again in Brittnau
All in all, would Diego van Looy hardly be the favorite for World Championship gold this year? “No, I wouldn’t be the man to beat, but I would be extremely happy if I could just complete the race, see familiar faces and my homestay family Pfäffli in Brittnau, Neighboring village of Zofingen.” It would be van Looy’s third Powerman Zofingen participation after 2019 and 2015, when he was there “for fun” and finished ninth. Everyone would like him to have both in Zofingen this year: Fun and success.
Text: Melanie Gamma
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Stefan Ruf: “We are looking forward to the 32nd staging of the Powerman in Zofingen”

Thursday, 01 July 2021 by Reinhard Standke

“The preparations are going according to plan: on 18-19 September the long-distance World Duathlon Championships will take place in Zofingen. Stefan Ruf, President of the Powerman Zofingen organising committee, talks about the state of preparations.

 

What is the state of preparation about 75 days before the World Championships?

Stefan Ruf: Only two and a half months are left and then the Powerman Zofingen will take place for the 32nd time – under the title: World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships 2021. We are really looking forward to having a competition again in September after such a long break.

 

What feedback has the LOC received from the athletes?

The athletes have been training for months. The top athletes have already had one or two competitions. They all want to show that they are fit and want to race again. Competing is the essence of sport. Be it with your own best times in previous years or with the times of your colleagues. With the elites, it’s all about the title. We have recently received a lot of feedback and questions. There is a lot of interest.

The Powerman World Championships had to be postponed twice. What did this postponement mean for the registered athletes?

Many athletes had registered for the event in September 2020, which had to be postponed to May 2021. In May, more registrations came in. Finally, there was another postponement to September 2021. The data of all registered athletes was automatically transferred to the event in September. The athletes do not have to do anything else. They don’t have to pay anything extra either. Now we expect them in Zofingen in September.

What is the current registration status?

That is still relatively difficult to assess at the moment. Due to the pandemic, we had a special situation with consequences for international travel. We are now assuming that entry regulations and quarantine rules will be much easier, so that many foreign participants will be able to travel to Switzerland again. Overall, the number of registrations is already respectable. The number of registrations will rise sharply in the coming weeks. This is especially true for the elite athletes – after all, the world championship participants have to register by 31 July.

What support has Powerman Zofingen received from the authorities?

In Switzerland, we consider ourselves fortunate that the government has approved a major support programme for the sport and is making extensive financial resources available to the associations. The aim is to cover the financial risks and to make COVID 19 protection concepts possible. Above all, despite the economic uncertainties, we can continue to count on the support of our loyal sponsors.

What have you been particularly happy about recently?

Sport is my personal passion, and it was a pleasure for me to follow sporting events again. It’s not just about endurance sports, but also the European Football Championships, tennis at Wimbledon et cetera. We’re seeing people in the stadiums again.

What worries you the most?

In sport, there is a very big highlight: the Olympic Games, which are taking place in Tokyo this year. All eyes are now on Tokyo and we hope that the Olympics will go smoothly. The sporting events will be revived. I am immensely happy about that. The live experience has a special quality. That motivates me enormously.

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The Duathlon World Championship will take place in three months

Thursday, 17 June 2021 by Reinhard Standke
The defending champions are expected to compete again at the Duathlon World Championships in September 2021
The World Championships are scheduled to take place in Zofingen, Switzerland, in three months: The World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships 18-19 Sep 2021.
In addition to Switzerland’s Nina Zoller, 2019 Duathlon Long Distance World Champion, Belgium’s Diego Van Looy, 2019 Long Distance World Champion, has also expressed to organizers his intention to compete in Zofingen on September 19, 2021.
According to Stefan Ruf, president of the organizing committee, the registration status is at a very satisfactory level. Stefan Ruf: “The athletes are literally longing for competitions.”
Click here to register for elite athletes and age groupers. https://powerman.swiss
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Register now!

Friday, 11 June 2021 by Reinhard Standke
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World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon Championships Zofingen on September 19, 2021

Friday, 05 March 2021 by Fabio

This year the Duathlon World Championships will be held in Zofingen. The World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon Championships Zofingen are now planned to be held on September 19 instead of May 30, 2021. The organizers justify the postponement with the still virulent Corona pandemic. In September, a significant improvement of the epidemiological situation is expected.

The World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon Championships Zofingen will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2021. The preliminary program will take place on Saturday, September 18. This was decided by the local organizers in coordination with the national and international federations. The date of May 30, 2021 became unrealistic due to the still difficult COVID-19 situation.

Situation to improve by fall
Powerman Zofingen has closely monitored the situation in recent weeks and has noticed that the situation in Switzerland, as well as in many of the athletes’ home countries, is not improving fast enough. “We would like to have participants from around 30 nations in Zofingen again, but in order to host a fair race, as many of them as possible must be able to train in their home countries and compete in world championship selections,” says Stefan Ruf, president of the organizing committee Powerman Zofingen. Referring to the COVID-19 situation in Switzerland, Ruf says: “A pure World Championships without open long distance categories, short distance, Powerkids and charity races is not an option for us.”

Together with the International Federation World Triathlon (WT), it has now been decided to make use of the previously defined alternative date of September 19, 2021. This is also in the interest of the local and national sponsors, who want to see as broad a field of participants as possible.

World Triathlon – until recently known as the International Triathlon Union ITU – had already confirmed in mid-2020 that in 2021 Zofingen is scheduled for the official World Triathlon Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships (10 km run course, 150 km bike course, 30 km run course).

Optimized bike course
Accordingly, Zofingen expects the race to be held in the current year. The bike course has been further optimized; the historical town will be bypassed in the process. “We have never had such a safe bike course in the history of the Powerman Zofingen,” says Stefan Ruf. The level of difficulty is comparable to the previous routes, he adds.

Support from sponsors
The Powerman Zofingen can expect the support of the sponsors also this year: The Powerman is supported by the main sponsors Vanoli, Swisslos, ZT Medien and gaz-energie (together with StWZ Energie). Likewise, the Powerman Zofingen hopes to receive financial support from the federal government, the canton and the city of Zofingen. The organization is based on voluntary work.

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Duathlon World Championships 2021 in Switzerland

Friday, 18 December 2020 by Fabio
Next year, Switzerland will again host the Duathlon WC: The Powerman Zofingen WORLD TRIATHLON Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. The preparations are in full swing. The Powerman Zofingen can count on the goodwill of its sponsors.
Like most international sporting events, the Powerman Zofingen had to be postponed due to the Corona pandemic. It was originally scheduled to be held on September 20, 2020.

Now the organizers are focusing on May 30, 2021, as the date for the Long Distance World Championships. World Triathlon (WT) – until recently known as the International Triathlon Union ITU – had already confirmed in the middle of this year that in 2021 Zofingen (Switzerland) is scheduled for the official WT Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships (10 km run, 150 km bike, 30 km run). If May 30, 2021 is not feasible due to Covid-19 then September 19, 2021 is set as an alternate date.

Bike course optimized
The organizers clearly expect the race to be held next year. The bike course has been further optimized. The historical center of Zofingen will be bypassed. “We have never had such a safe bike course in the history of the Powerman Zofingen,” says Stefan Ruf, president of the organizing committee Powerman Zofingen. The level of difficulty is comparable to previous courses, he adds. Stefan Ruf: “Zofingen remains the toughest duathlon in the world.” The following municipalities will be passed through from the start in Zofingen: Mühlethal (city of Zofingen), Uerkheim, Holziken, Schöftland, Wittwil (municipality of Staffelbach), Staffelbach, Mooslerau, Attelwil (Reitnau), Reitnau, Wiliberg, Reiden, Wikon, Brittnau, Strengelbach, Vordemwald and Rothrist.
Registrations possible until May 2021
Athletes from Switzerland and Europe in general will be even more widely represented in 2021. However, not only those athletes who originally registered for Powerman Zofingen 2020 will be at the start. Registrations are possible until May 30, 2021. By the way: All athletes who do not want to participate in 2021 will have their entry fee refunded upon request.
High solidarity
Powerman Zofingen should be able to count on the support of donors – companies, the federal government, the canton Argovia and the city of Zofingen. “We appreciate this solidarity enormously,” says Walter Bloch, Powerman Zofingen’s sponsorship manager. The civil defense organization will provide 140 days of service. The Powerman is supported by the main sponsors Vanoli www.vanoli.ch, Swisslos www.swisslos.ch, ZT Medien www.ztmedien.ch and gaz- energie www.gazenergie.ch together with StWZ Energie www.stwz.ch.
Voluntary – a Swiss trademark
The situation regarding sporting events is unpredictable, Markus Bindschädler says in a statement. “Nevertheless, we are now looking optimistically into the future and planning in scenarios for 2021. Always for the sport, always for the passion and always for an important contribution to society and health. Voluntary, of course – a Swiss trademark that is unique in the world.”
“Because we are committed to the region”
Why do companies support the Powerman Zofingen? Paul Marbach, Managing Director StWZ Energie AG, in his statement: “StWZ and “Gazenergie” support the Powerman Zofingen because we are committed to the region around Zofingen and because the energy-packed Powerman fits very well with StWZ and with natural gas/biogas.”
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Powerman is postponed to May 29th / 30th 2021

Friday, 17 July 2020 by Fabio

Dear athletes

After the situation around COVID-19 has worsened again in Switzerland and worldwide in the last weeks, ITU, IPA and Swiss Triathlon together with the authorities and the local organizing committee have decided to postpone the ITU Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen to 2021. Of particular relevance are the stricter entry restrictions to Switzerland and the increased protection requirements for major events. All races of the event weekend are affected by the postponement.

The partners involved have decided to reschedule all races of the Powerman Zofingen to May 29 and 30, 2021. ITU has confirmed that the Powerman Zofingen will be the official ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championship on May 30, 2021.

The Powerman Zofingen thanks that so many athletes have registered despite the prevailing uncertainties. The registrations will be transferred to the 2021 event and the registration portal remains open.

See you in Zofingen, end of May 2021

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Update ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships 2020

Wednesday, 01 July 2020 by Fabio

Dear Athletes

The sports year 2020 is a huge challenge for athletes, federations, organisers and all of us.

Today, tomorrow and perhaps even in the years to come, we have to face completely new standards for sporting events. This means a great deal of extra work for the organisers and requires understanding and tolerance from the athletes. Whether or not an event can finally be held on the planned date is not guaranteed. It may even have to be cancelled unexpectedly at very short notice due to binding force majeure conditions, government directives or any other reasons.

At this point in time, the national regulations of the Swiss government allow the staging of an event of the size of the ITU Powerman World Championships, but this is still connected with uncertainties. The International Powerman Association IPA and Swiss Triathlon are striving to hold the event within the given possibilities and are continuously coordinating with the ITU and local authorities further steps.

We will inform regularly and, if necessary, immediately about further developments.

Should the race in 2020 have to be cancelled at a later date, the starting places will be transferred to 2021.

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The final decision will be taken on 1st of July

Wednesday, 24 June 2020 by Fabio

We had planned to communicate on the 20.06.2020 about the decision to hold the ITU Powerman LD Duathlon World Championships event September 20, 2020. It will take a few more days to coordinate the new rules of the Swiss government, valid from June 22nd, with the local authorities and to exchange the results with the national and international federation. We are convinced that it is in the interest of all parties to make the best possible decision and hope for your understanding.

As you all might think, in the current situation there are many reasons against an implementation and many reasons for an implementation.
We would like to examine the new facts seriously and for this purpose we need time until the end of June and will communicate a decision on July 1, 2020.

Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.

OK ITU Powerman LD Duathlon World Championships Zofingen

PS: Entry Fees won’t be risen by 01.07. and stay at same amount till 31.07.

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Powerman 2020: Current situation

Wednesday, 20 May 2020 by Fabio

Dear athletes, partners and friends!

Every day we can read thousands of information on the current pandemic situation in medias. Based on this information, it is still not possible to make reliable forecasts as to whether sport events such as the Powerman Zofingen can take place in September. The LOC of the Powerman will wait until June 20th – that is three months before the race – and decide based on the then available knowledge and regulations. The LOC remains optimistic and still hopes to be able to communicate a “GO” on June 20th.

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