In the meantime Klaus Aberger has edited a great video for this year’s PowerKids race. We hope you enjoy the video!

Dear Participants

An unforgettable ITU LD Duathlon World Championship 2019 is behind us. I congratulate Nina Zoller and Diego Van Loy to the World Championship title and all other participants to the successful finish. I thank all partners and helpers who made the event possible.

I am looking forward to welcoming you all to the 32nd Powerman Zofingen, ITU LD Duathlon World Championships on September 19-20, 2020.

The registration system will open shortly. The first 50 registrations on the long distance will get an early entry discount. Write us an email with the keyword “earlyentry20” and ask for the conditions and the code.

See you September 2020 in Zofingen

Stefan Ruf, President

31. Powerman Zofingen: 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships

Despite a crash of last year’s winner Petra Eggenschwiler, the Swiss women also shone at the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Nina Zoller, Melanie Maurer and Petra Eggenschwiler had a thrilling race. After the retirement of Eggenschwiler, compatriot Corina Hengartner moved up to 3rd place. The Belgian Diego Van Loy became World Champion in the men’s singles ahead of Jens Gossauer from Switzerland and Daan De Groot from the Netherlands. The 31st Powerman Zofingen recorded a total of around 1,200 participants at the weekend, roughly the same number as last year.

The trio Eggenschwiler, Maurer and Zoller put pressure on the front right from the start and also went straight to the bike course after the running course. Then Eggenschwiler was hit by a mishap: the woman from Solothurn crashed in Zofingen in a railway underpass without any outside influence. She was a little rough. The defending champion lost about three minutes and then tried everything to get back to the top. However, Eggenschwiler finally had to give up shortly after the bike course. Before the showdown in Zofingen, Eggenschwiler took first place in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/2019. Immediately after leaving the company, disappointment was written all over her face. However, she quickly grasped the situation and said: “I didn’t feel so good from the start. “Already at the media conference in the run-up to the ITU World Championships she complained about a cold and an inflammation of the foot. Also prematurely abandoned due to hypothermia has Antonia Reznikov. The Israeli had won the bronze medal last year. On the last run, Zoller managed to lose last year’s silver medallist Maurer. “I can’t believe it,” said the new world champion from Chur. “I bit my teeth, stepped on the gas, and I’m overjoyed now.” Maurer said: “The bike course was difficult, I was freezing, and I’m also very much looking forward to the great performance from us Swiss. I like Nina Zoller very much to grant victory.”

Large top group

In the men’s event, the Swiss Michael Ott led after three hours ahead of the Russian Maxim Kuzmin, the Dutchman Daan De Groot, the Swiss Jens Gossauer, the Belgian Seppe Odeyn and the Swiss Fabian Zehnder (SUI). Gossauer, eighth last year, was astonished and finally went first on the last run, followed by Diego Van Looy (BEL), Odeyn, De Groot, Kuzmin and Zehnder. Van Looy then got better and better into the race and could finally distance Gossauer. Due to injury last year’s winner Gaël Le Bellec (FRA) and last year’s third placed German Felix Köhler could not participate in Zofingen. Gossauer overjoyed: “It was a great race, I’m very happy with myself. My legs were brilliant and I never expected such a result. In the end, I tried to hold second place because I saw that Van Looy was doing very well.” Van Looy said, asked about the time: “The time was not important for me, I concentrated on the placement. Now I’m just happy.”

Difficult conditions

31st Powerman Zofingen: Not only the rain was a problem for the top duathlete, the thermometer showed 13 degrees Celsius. Around 1,200 athletes took part in the races at the weekend in Zofingen, almost as many as last year. While the field in the long distance was equally large and prominently occupied, the number of participants in the short distance was smaller. The charity run on Saturday was even more popular than last year: The companies that had their own teams at the start included Siegfried AG, Spital Zofingen and STWZ Energie, and the PowerKids & PowerFamily races roundedoff the event. Stefan Ruf, OC President of Powerman Zofingen: “This is a sensational Swiss day. We did expect strong performances from the Swiss women over the Long Distance. Nina Zoller in particular attracted a lot of attention. “Jens Gossauer has provided the perfect surprise for the men.” John Raadschelders, President of the International Powerman Association (IPA): “Those were very exciting competitions. In the beginning, both the women and the men had their tops close together. Towards the end, however, there were longer time gaps.” Raadschelders about the organization: “I particularly liked the optimized communication. A win-win constellation between Powerman Zofingen, the International Powerman Association (IPA) and the International Triathlon Union (ITU).

Text: Hanspeter Arnold/Raphael Galliker

Pictures: Blende 8.5 Zofingen

More info: www.powerman.swiss

Ranking Elite Long Distance:

Men: 1st Diego Van Looy (BEL) 6:14.29; 2nd Gossauer Jens-Michael (SUI, Greifensee) 6:16.23; 3rd Daan De Groot (NED) 6:20.16; 4th Seppe Odeyn (BEL) 6:22.20; 5th Maxim Kuzmin (RUS) 6:24.32; 6. Fabian Zehnder (SUI, Wädenswil) 6:28.19; 7. Michael Ott (SUI, Unterstrass) 6:30.34; 8. Thomas Bruins (AUS) 6:33.38; 9. Andreas Kälin (SUI, Wollerau) 6:34.40; 10. Ryan Giuliano (USA) 6:41.11; 11 Yannick Cadalen (FRA) 6:43.25; 12 Diederik Derijcke (BEL) 6:50.35; 13 Jonas Vandevyvere (BEL) 6:52.55; 14 Andrew Macrae (GBR) 6:53.50; 15 Bert Wouters (BEL) 6:53.56; 16. Rolf Wermelinger (SUI) 6:54.12; 17. Edi Frauchiger (SUI) 6:55.46; 18. Tobias Eise (GER) 6:56.22; 19. Peter Ellis (GBR) 6:59.31; 20. Stephane Vander Bruggen (BEL) 7:02.16.

Women: 1st Nina Zoller (SUI, Chur) 7:14.54; 2nd Melanie Maurer (SUI, Schliern b. Köniz) 7:17.11; 3rd Corina Hengartner (SUI, Club Bodensee) 7:27.46; 4th Ann Schoot Uiterkamp (NED) 7:39.03; 5th Katrin Esefeld (GER) 7:47.08; 6. Virginie Soenen (BEL) 7:53.57; 7. Yvette Van Wegen (NED) 8:08.27; 8. Noemi Sarah Frieden (SUI) 8:08.35; 9. Simona Celik (SLO) 8:12.57; 10. Lise Soerensen Lise (DEN) 8:19.24; 11. Jasmin Brammert (GER) 8:22.58; 12. Maria Buchvoll (DEN) 8:24.41; 13. Deirdre Hassett (IRL) 8:27.29; 14. Rendy Williams (USA) 8:28.40;

Short distance:

Men: 1st Michael Pfanner (SUI) 2:13.40; 2nd Tobias Baggenstos (SUI) 2:13.57; 3rd Luca Vogelsang (SUI) 2:15.13.

Women: 1. Tiziana Ringgenber (SUI) 2:33.16; 2. Natascha Badmann (SUI) 2:36.14; 3. Daniela Koller (SUI) 2:36.31.

The winning duo of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships: Nina Zoller (SUI) and Diego Van Loy (BEL).

The podium of the women, from the left (all SUI): Melanie Maurer (2nd), Nina Zoller (1st) and Corina Hengartner.

The men’s podium, from the left: Jens Gossauer (SUI, 2.), Diego Van Loy (BEL, 1.) and Daan De Groot (NL, 3.)

You can’t be live at the elite race on Sunday? No problem, we provide you with the most important information in real time. Here you can find our live stream, our live ticker and the live rankings.

Live Stream:

Live Ticker:

Live rankings

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