Preview of the 30th Powerman Zofingen (August 31 to September 2, 2018)

Anniversary, new track, top athletes and world record attempt

The 30th Powerman Zofingen will be fireworks. On the one hand, there is the 30th birthday with various anniversary activities. On the other hand, the World Championship race on 2 September will feature a new running and cycling track. The three laps now also lead through the city centre, as does the new bike course. Due to the new licensing practice in the Canton of Lucerne, 90 percent of the vehicles are now operated in the Canton of Aargau. The new bike course has first a fast, flat “15 km loop west” and then a very couped and demanding “35 km loop east”. For men it should be the strongest race of all times in terms of registrations, for women one thing in particular is announced – excitement. Freddy Nock should complete three marathons at once. The world-famous 53-year-old high-wire artist from Uerkheim starts a 25-hour world record attempt on the death wheel on September 1 at 12 noon, right next to the Powerman Arena.

On September 2, 2018 the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships will again be held in Zofingen. The fact that the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) are now awarding these to Zofingen for the eleventh time after 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, and for the eighth time in a row, is unique for triathlon and duathlon. A new challenge awaits the athletes from around 40 participating nations. The bike course will be new and even more challenging. In addition, both the cycling and running routes pass through the picturesque city centre of Zofingen for the first time.

New licensing practice

The change in route was triggered by the new licensing practice of the Lucerne police. “Their obligation to allow a race only with a complete track closure has not produced a track worthy of the World Championship in the space of the previous track”, regrets Stefan Ruf, OC President of Powerman Zofingen. All variants had to be discarded, so that in spring the OC had to abandon the previous course, which had been run since the 3rd edition in 1991. “Thanks to the support of the Aargau authorities, however, a new bike course worthy of the World Cup can now be offered by a large majority through the Canton of Aargau. The character of the track remains unchanged, 50 kilometres per lap with almost exactly the same difference in altitude of 650 m per lap as before. In the World Championship race, the lap leading from Zofingen first to the west will again be driven three times. While the Vordemwald section was the last part so far, it will now be used in exactly the opposite direction and the “loop” will bring a first small turning point before it goes back from Vordemwald via Rothrist to the Zofingen area in the direction of Mühlethal on the eastern part of the loop. Ruf: “This one was already partly used in 2006. The technical highlight will certainly be the climb via Reitnau and the Wiliberg exit before returning to Zofingen via Reiden”.

New opportunities

The relocation to Aargau, just in time for the 30-year event, offers the event, which is one of eight top sporting events in Aargau, many new opportunities. Ruf:”Important communities such as Rothrist or Schöftland are now part of the route. In addition to the Wiggertal, the Ürketal and Suhre valleys are now also being crossed. With Mühlethal and Reitnau-Wiliberg, two of the most beautiful crossings in the western part of the canton are crossed, thus also creating opportunities for new nests of atmosphere”. The OC is doing everything in its power to ensure optimal track safety and comprehensive information for local residents, so that the athletes are given an accident-free race and the local residents the least possible restrictions, and at the same time it would like to thank all the communities that are now being used for the first time and also the previous ones for their understanding and support.

Running course adapted

Due to the new bike course, the second running course can now also be run through the old town of Zofingen, as planned for some time. “For many years it was two laps and last year even four because of the storm damage, but now three laps are being run on a 5 km long turning point track”, says Ruf. After leaving the Powerman-Arena we first go to turning point 1 at Thutplatz and then again through the arena to turning point 2 on the Heitere. Back in the arena the first 10 of a total of 30 km are completed. “Only marginal changes have been made to the first run, which at 9.5 km is now 300 m longer than before, thanks to a new separate start zone. According to Ruf, the new routes also represent a new capital in the history of Powerman Zofingen. “We are pleased to be able to offer the participants from around 40 nations a route that remains very demanding and yet fast, thus maintaining and even improving the chances of winning the World Championship in the future.

The Favourites

For the men, the battle for the World Championship title will mean that the 30th Powerman Zofingen should bring with it the best-quality race of all time. Last year’s winner Maxim Kuzmin (RUS), Belgium’s Seppe Odeyn (2016 winner) and France’s Gaël Le Bellec (2015 and 2014 winners) are all World Champions of the past four years. They all have a clear goal:”Climb to the top of the podium at the 30th Powerman Zofingen!” However, the current world number one, 34-year-old Dane Søren Bystrup, also has this goal: “At the end of my elite career I finally want to win the World Championship title in Zofingen after finishing third four times! What’s more, thanks to Felix Köhler (GER) and Yannick Cadalen (FRA), all the World Championship medal winners of the last four years will be competing in Thutstadt. Only the Australian Matt Smith is missing from the top eight of the world rankings. Fabian Zehnder is the top-ranked Swiss in 8th place,”My goal for this year in Zofingen is also a place among the top eight, said the 31-year-old from Wädenswil. The Swiss duathlon national team coach Sami Götz sends Rolf Wermelinger, Marc Widmer, Jens Gossauer, Andreas Kälin, Ramon Krebs and Roberto Delorenzi from his squad along with Zehnder into the race. “In addition to a few experienced duathletes, there are also many new, so-called lateral entrants and also young athletes at the start who have great potential. I hope for a great competition atmosphere at the anniversary in Zofingen and many spectators at the side of the track”. And there is Ronnie Schildknecht, who is finally making his comeback after his long distance debut in 2002 (6th place) in Zofingen: “It would be nice to come home on September 2nd and celebrate a victory there”.

Schildknecht goes Zofingen

I am very pleased that Ronnie Schildknecht, Switzerland’s most successful long-distance athlete of recent years, is starting in Zofingen. As nine-time winner of the Ironman Zurich, he could achieve the 10th great victory in Switzerland with Zofingen.” Schildknecht will however face strong competition, led by the reigning European champion and world number one Bystrup. “The Dane, especially on the bike, should be one of the very few in the field who can stand up to Schildknecht.” Schildknecht starts, after a short recovery time, then also on October 13th at the Ironman Hawaii, the unofficial Triathlon World Championship.

Pooley’s launch at risk

“There’ll probably be a new world champion among women,” Ruf says. “It’s a pity Emma Pooley, who recently set new standards with four victories in series at the Powerman Zofingen, can’t start due to injury. However, the British woman, who lives in the canton of Zurich, will be in Zofingen on anyhow on the Powerman weekend, at best then as a VIP”. Pooley himself says: “Most likely I won’t be able to start on September 2nd. I haven’t been able to walk for two months because of an injury. I still can’t even jog easily without pain, despite a complete break from running. Of course this is very frustrating for me, even more, because I can’t try to defend my title in Zofingen. The Powerman Zofingen has been a highlight of my season for the last four years.” Ruf now expects a completely open race with good chances for the strong Swiss team, consisting of Nina Brenn (Vice World Champion 2016), Melanie Maurer (current Vice European Champion at the ETU Powerman Middle Distance European Championship in Vejl, Denmark), Nina Zoller, Maja Jacober (Powerman Zofingen Third 2008, 2007 and 2006), Daniela Schwarz, Martina Krähenbühl and Kathrin Saly-Graf. “Among the women, there are some very experienced long-distance duathletes at the start. I definitely trust Nina Brenn to win another medal after 2016,” says Sami Götz. The World Cup goal of the Swiss national duathlon team coach for men and women is. “At least one medal and a total of three top five places.” After last year’s tough battle for World Cup silver, they now want to stage this year’s duel for the World Cup crown: world number one and vice world champion Miriam Van Reijen (NED) and world number two, World Cup and European bronze medallist Katrin Esefeld (GER). Apart from Pooley, only the current European champion Sandrina Illes is not at the start in Zofingen. “The Powerman Zofingen is still too tough for me, but I would love to race it later in my career,” said the 31-year-old Austrian.

World record attempt by Freddy Nock

Freddy Nock is already setting his 24th world record attempt. The launch is scheduled for Powerman Zofingen Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 12 noon. “We will set up the death wheel with a diameter of 9 metres right next to the transition zone,” says the 53-year-old Uerkheimer. “After that, I want to walk in and on the death wheel for at least 24 hours, 25 hours at best, without interruption.” Nock: “You have to remember that you can never run straight because it is a wheel.” Especially the ankles are strained. The current world record holder is Nock himself, together with Joey Kelly. “As part of the charity programme “RTL Donation Marathon 2006″, together with the Kelly Family member, I spent the longest 24 hours on a death wheel,” says Nock. Nock had its first real crisis after 13 hours during the successful world record attempt on 23/24 November 2006. “I even wanted to quit, but then Joey Kelly gave me a wisdom for life.” Kelly managed to get Nock mentally fit again for the continuation of the world record attempt. “If you fall into a hole, it’s important that you survive the next five minutes, that you just keep going,” says Nock. During the successful world record, Nock had run more than 135 kilometres on more than 9,000 death wheel rotations, which corresponds to more than three marathons. If Nock had only one partner with Kelly twelve years ago, he will have several partners in Zofingen on September 1/2, 2018. “I would like to thank the IWTOA WingTsun Kung-Fu D.B. School Aarau, where my seven-year-old son Leo also trains. Nock and his followers are still training on and in the death wheel in the area of the company Senn AG in Oftringen. Nock already has seven entries in the Guinness World Records Book and 23 successful world record attempts. “I am 99 percent convinced that I will achieve my 24th world record and I am looking forward to it, especially as it will take place almost on my doorstep. Nock also knows the Powerman Zofingen Arena very well, as he has participated in the Powerman CHARITY in the last two years, but it only covered 5 kilometres and not more than 135 kilometres.

anniversary program

The Poweran Zofingen Week started on Monday, 27 August with two media conferences: First with that of world record holder Freddy Nock on the grounds of Senn AG in Oftringen, then with the official Powerman media conference in Zofingen town hall. On Friday, 31 August, the opening ceremony will take place in the Stadtsaal Zofingen with the traditional pasta party and the handing over of starting numbers to the top athletes. On September 1st the Info-Point opens at 9.30 a.m., the Powerman-Expo and the Velafrica stand (handing in old bikes) open at 10 a.m., Freddy Nock starts his world record attempt on the death wheel next to the Powerman Arena at 12.15 p.m. The Family Contest starts at 1 p.m. The start of the PowerKids races takes place at 4 p.m. The Powerman CHARITY starts at 5 p.m.30 o’clock the big anniversary celebration “30 years Powerman Zofingen” is launched, with the participation of the pop-classic tenor Patrick von Castelberg, the solo artist Franziska Wigger, ceremonial speeches of Zofingen’s mayor Hans-Ruedi Hottiger and Powerman Zofingen OC president Stefan Ruf and the invasion of nations. From 8 p.m. the 3rd Powerman Zofingen anniversary party with the Austrian party band Wirbelwind will take place in the Stadtsaal Zofingen. Admission on Saturday is free, as is admission on Sunday to the World Championship and short-distance races.

Last starting places

You can still register for the 30th Powerman Zofingen from 31 August to 2 September 2018. The entry portal for the long distance (women’s World Cup start on 2 September at 8 a.m., men’s start at 9 a.m.) was closed in mid-August, but you can still register for the short distance in the week before the competition if there are still starting places. You can still register for the Powerman CHARITY (new on Saturday and starting at 4 pm), the PowerKids races and the Family Contest.

Text: Raphael Galliker

Picture captions:

1.) While the Russian Maxim Kuzmin can and wants to defend his World Championship title this year, the last four-time serial winner Emma Pooley is probably not at the start of the 30th Powerman Zofingen on September 2nd due to injury.

2.) The new 50-kilometre bike course leads through the heart of the city of Zofingen, across Thutplatz, where Natascha Badmann, six-time winner of the Ironman Hawaii and ambassador of Powerman Zofingen, awaits many spectators.

3.) Freddy Nock, the world-famous high-wire artist from Uerkheim, will start his 25-hour world record attempt on the death wheel on September 1, 2018, next to the Powerman Zofingen Arena.

Photos: Raphael Galliker

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:

Andreas Kälin (SUI)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
14.8.1991/14th of August 1991.

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
keine/none.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Platz 18/18th place.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Top 10!

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
4. Rang an der Elite Duathlon-Schweizermeisterschaft am Intervall Duathlon Zofingen. Fünf Top five-Klassierungen Overall an der Eisenhorn Swiss Duathlon Series./4th place at the Elite Duathlon Swiss Championships at the Intervall Duathlon Zofingen. 5 top five results at the Eisenhorn Swiss Duathlon series.

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Obwohl ich in dieser Saison bisher viele vierte Plätze (Rheintal, IDZ, Spiez, St. Moritz) hatte, bin ich zufrieden, da die Lücke nach vorne immer kleiner wird./Despite the fact having finished several race on fourth position (Rheintal, IDZ, Spiez, St. Moritz) I’m satisfied with this season so far, because the gap to the top get’s smaller and smaller.

Homepage:
www.andreaskaelin.com

Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker/Blende 8.5 Zofingen

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:

Rolf Wermelinger (SUI)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
20.2.1979/20th of Februaryl 1979.

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
keine/none.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Platz 6/6th place.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Zum dritten Mal in Folge Top-ten./For the third time in a row top-ten.

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
Silber an der SM in Tramelan./Silver at the Swiss Duathlon Championships in Tramelan.

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Meine bisherige Saison war ok. Jedoch konnte ich nicht ganz an meine guten Leistungen der vergangenen Saison anknüpfen. Dies lässt sich so erklären, dass ich in dieser Saison weniger Zeit zum Trainieren hatte. In meinem Studium musste ich ein einjähriges Praktikum absolvieren, in dem ich 100 % arbeiten musste./The season so far was okay. On the other hand I wasn’t capable to repeat the good performances from last season. There’s a reason fort hat. In this season I had less time for practising. As a student I had to do a work placement for one year, where I had to work full time.

Homepage:
keine/none. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rolf.wermelinger.3

Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker

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:

Marc Widmer (SUI)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
2.9.1980/2nd of September 1980.

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
keine/none.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Platz 11/11th place.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Top 10!

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
15. Platz an der ETU Powerman Mitteldistanz-Europameisterschaft in Vejl (Dänemark), 9. Platz Powerman Tramelan (4. Platz in der Schweizermeisterschaft), 3. Platz Swiss Duathlon Cup-Rennen Uri Duathlon./15th place at the 2018 Vejle ETU Powerman Middle Distance Duathlon European Championships, 9th place at the Powerman Tramelan (4th place in the Swiss Championship), 3rd place at the Swiss Duathlon Cup race Uri Duathlon.

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Die Saison verlief bisher unter den Erwartungen. Die letzten Wochen konnte ich jedoch sehr gut trainieren. Das neunte Top 10-Resultat beim Powerman Zofingen scheint möglich./I expected more of this season so far. On the other hand my trainings sessions in the last few weeks were very good. The ninth Top ten result at the Powerman Zofingen now seems possible.

Homepage:
www.powermarc.ch

Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker/Blende 8.5 Zofingen

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:

Nina Brenn (SUI)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
4.9.1979/4th of September 1979.

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
Platz 2/2nd place 2016.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Nicht am Start/did not start.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Ein gutes Rennen machen./To have a good race.

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
4. Platz Eiger Ultra Trail (101 km), 2. Platz ScenicTrail, 1. Platz Swissalpine Trail, 1. Platz Gigathlon Single./4th place Eiger Ultra Trail (101 km), 2nd place ScenicTrail, 1st place Swissalpine Trail, 1st place Gigathlon Single.

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Ja./yes.

Homepage:
keine/none. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010520117606

Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker

“I’m really looking forward to coming home”

In 2002 he completed his first ever long-distance race at Powerman Zofingen. Ronnie Schildknecht subsequently switched from duathlon to triathlon, winning the Ironman Switzerland in Zurich nine times. On September 2, 2018, the Zurich rider will start on the 30th Powerman Zofingen: He is very much looking forward to the race under the motto “back to the roots”. Schildknecht does not entertain, however, but wants to give himself his present for his 39th birthday on September 19. “I want to be world champion in Zofingen.”

Ronnie Schildknecht, why are you starting in Zofingen on 2nd September?
Ronnie Schildknecht: I always wanted to start again in Zofingen. In 2002 I made my long distance debut in Thutstadt. Now the circle closes. I also wanted to do a different preparation before the Ironman Hawaii.

Do you remember the Zofingen race in 2002
?yes, very good! It was a great feeling to be in the front with legends like Oli Bernhard or Stefan Riesen. I immediately became sixth! I’m really looking forward to getting back home now.

Started duathlon, then switched to triathlon, now back to duathlon. For which sport is your heart beating more?
I have always done both and would not want to choose either sport.

You’re also starting at the Ironman in Hawaii, at the unofficial Triathlon World Championship on October 13, 2018, is the short recovery time after the Powerman Zofingen enough?
I don’t know exactly. A sports physiologist would certainly advise against it, but the head also plays a big role. A victory in Zofingen would certainly give a positive boost.

So you will start in Zofingen on 2 September 2018 with a very ambitious goal…
… Yes, a victory would be nice!

Which will be your toughest competitors in Zofingen in the fight for the World Cup crown?
I know Seppe Odeyn and Felix Köhler, both of whom I value very highly.

What does your training currently look like, more focused on duathlon or triathlon?
Despite the upcoming duathlon world championship start in Zofingen, I still swim a lot. But this is even good for duathlon and loosens the legs.

What does the Powerman Zofingen mean to you and how can you compare the Powerman Zofingen with the Ironman Hawaii?
A victory at Powerman Zofingen has always been one of my career goals. The history of Powerman Zofingen has always fascinated me. Unfortunately, its importance has declined considerably over the past few years. But I hope this will change soon! Competitions are hard to compare. Both are World Championships and you can become the world’s best in the respective sport!

Does the fact that there is a new bike course at the 30th Powerman Zofingen meet with your approval as a returnee?
I don’t know. I knew the old track well and thought it was great.

Do you think you’ll put your real strength to the test on the bike?
That remains to be seen.

Have you inspected the track of the 30th Powerman Zofingen yet?
Yeah, I looked at them. To be honest, I found the old track more beautiful and better to drive.

Are you coming to Zofingen directly from your home in the canton of Zurich on the morning of 2 September?
Yes, I come directly from Langnau am Albis to Zofingen to the start.

Interview: Raphael Galliker

Caption

A mammoth programme awaits the 39-year-old from Zurich: Ronnie Schildknecht wants to win the Duathlon World Championship in Zofingen and then the Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii. Photo: zvg

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:

Fabian Zehnder (SUI)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
19.4.1987/19th of April 1987.

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
keine/none.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Platz 9/9th place.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Noch besser abschneiden als im letzten Jahr./To finish even better than last year.

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
Der 4. Platz an der Duathlon-EM in Vejle (Dänenark)./4th place at the European Championships duathlon in Vejle (Denmark).

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Die bisherige Saison verlief grundsätzlich sehr gut und ich habe konstante Rennen abgeliefert. Beim zweiten Lauf hatte ich noch (je länger die Saison wurde) ein wenig Mühe. Dies gilt es noch zu verbessern./The season so far was very satisfying and I had constant races. On the second running section I still have some problems. There I still can improve a lot.

Homepage:
keine/none. Facebook

Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker

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:

Maxim Kuzmin (RUS)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
22.7.1988/22nd of July 1988.

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
keine/none.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Sieger/winner.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Ich will meinen WM-Titel verteidigen/I try to defend my world championship title.

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
Diese Saison habe ich bisher nur an zwei russischen Meisterschaften im Cross-Triathlon (4. Platz) und über die Triathlon-Langdistanz (Rang 5) teilgenommen. Dazu kamen noch Teilnahmen am Russischen Cup im Duathlon und im Cross-Triathlon (Sieger)./This season I participated only in two Russian championships in cross-triathlon (4th place) and triathlon long distance (5th place). There were also participations in the stages of the Russian Cup in the duathlon and cross-triathlon (1st place).

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Mit der letzten Saison bin ich sicherlich zufrieden. Diese Saison ist noch nicht zu Ende. Der Höhepunkt, die Langdistanz-Duathlon-WM in Zofingen steht noch bevor und ich hoffe, dass ich da mit meinem Resultat zufrieden sein werde./With last season I’m certainly pleased. This season is not over yet. The main start is at the World Championships in Zofingen. I hope I will be satisfied with my result.

Homepage:
Facebook

Interview/Foto/picture: Raphael Galliker

The 30th Powerman Zofingen is coming closer. From the 31st of August to the 2nd of September Zofingen will be again the world capital of duathlon. Everything about the world’s most famous and toughest duathlon you can read now in the Powerman Zofingen magazine which will be issued on the 25th of August 2018 (170‘000 copies) in all the newspapers of the AZ Medien AG. You can get also a magazine on the Powerman Zofingen weekend at different places. rg

Find the Powerman magazine 2018 here (PDF in German 1oMB)

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:

Thomas Bruins (AUS)

Geburtsdatum/date of birth:
2.11.1989/2nd of November 1989

Bisherige Podestplätze Powerman Zofingen/podiums Powerman Zofingen so far:
keine/none.

Platzierung/result Powerman Zofingen 2017:
Platz 15/15th place.

Ziel/goal Powerman Zofingen 2018:
Top 5.

Grösste Erfolge 2018/biggest successes 2018:
Sieger Powerman Malaysia  und damit zum dritten Mal in Serie Asien-Meister./Powerman Malaysia Asian champion 2018 (3 years in a row).

Zufrieden mit der bisherigen Saison/are you satisfied with this season so far?
Kein Kommentar/no comment.

Homepage:                                   
www.thomasbruins.com