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

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

Traffic obstructions and waiting times

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 holding their 12th joint ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen. The PowerKids / PowerFamily races and the PowermanCHARITY will already be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019. In the greater Zofingen area, traffic congestion and waiting times may therefore occur on 7 and especially on 8 September.

The organisers of the Powerman Zofingen ask the road users to be careful on the weekend of 7/8 September 2019 in the Zofingen area. On certain parts of the route it can happen that an athlete is cycling at well over 60 kilometres per hour. This applies to other road users when overtaking, turning onto the road, etc.. Caution is therefore primarily required on the bike course. This leads from Zofingen to Strengelbach, Vordemwald, Rothrist, back to Zofingen, the Mühlethal up to Uerkheim, via Holziken, Schöftland, Wittwil, Staffelbach to Reitnau and via Williberg, Reidermoos, Reiden, Wikon back to Zofingen. On Sunday, September 8, 2019 the races will start at 8 am and last until about 8 pm. Already on Saturday, 7 September 2019, the PowerKids and PowerFamily races (13.00 to approx. 15.30) and the PowermanCHARITY (5 km run for a good cause from 16.30 to around 17.30) will take place.

Residents Info

The Powerman Zofingen-OK thanks the population for their understanding and for accepting waiting times or handicaps. On Thursday, August 22nd, starting at 6 p.m., a few dozen OK members will go on the World Championships course to distribute info flyers to the local residents. OC President Stefan Ruf also thanks the shops in the old town of Zofingen for their understanding, as the World Championships cycle and running track also leads through the picturesque town of Thut. “The road users should pay attention even before the Powerman Zofingen weekend, as hundreds of participants are already on the track for training purposes. “Of course, you can watch the World Cup race live on 8 September, or in the over nine-hour live stream. In addition, TV24 and Tele M1 will broadcast the World Cup race in the decisive phase (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. live).

Text: Raphael Galliker

Powerman Zofingen 7/8 September 2019

The big welcoming wall is standing

The 31st Powerman Zofingen is approaching in big steps. Who at the garage F. + M. Konstantin AG drives past to Zofingen (photo), is specially and visibly welcomed. From now on all road users will be greeted by a large Powerman Zofingen wall. On these boards everyone can see that the Powerman Zofingen will take place on 7th/8th September 2019 and will again be held on Sunday as the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships.

If you want to be part of the Powerman Zofingen 2019 via the Long Distance (age groups), Short Distance, at the relays, at the teams, at the PowerKids/PowerFamily or at the Powerman CHARITY, the best way to register is here.

Text: Raphael Galliker, Photo: Walter Pfäffli

Yannick Cadalen (FRA), number 6 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

«I want to step on top of the podium»

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Today it’s Yannick Cadalen’s turn. The 30-year-old Frenchman is the current number 6 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. Cadalen will start at the Powerman Zofingen already for the sixth time: «I will give my best to reach the top step of the podium.»

Yannick Cadalen is not a man of a lot of words. «There are no news about me», the 30-year-old Frenchman says. In Zofingen the world number 6 has started already five times. Twice of them he was very successful. In 2014 and last year he ended up second, both times behind his compatriot Gaël Le Bellec who does not yet know whether he can start in Zofingen this time because of an accident. «I will give my best to reach the top step of the podium», so Cadalen who startetd before the Powerman Zofingen just at a few races. «So actually my season just started in the middle of August with the Embrunman.»

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Jens Gossauer (SUI), number 11 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

«I want to gain experience this year»

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Today it’s Jens Gossauer’s turn. The 26-year-old from Zurich is the current number 11 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. Gossauer will start at the Powerman Zofingen for the second time: «This year I want to gain experience for an attack on the podium in 2020.»

Last year, 26-year-old Jens Gossauer from Uster was the eighth to sit up and take notice at his premiere in Zofingen. «Classification as last year will be difficult, but not impossible.» He will start this year with significantly smaller training volumes in his legs, says the current world ranking list number 11. «Unfortunately, due to my current training situation, it is not possible for me to call on my performance potential.» This season Gossauer was 10th at the Powerman European Championship in Viborg, 5th at the Powerman Alsdorf, 4th at the Powerman Tramelan, 3rd twice at the Duathlon-SM (standard and middle distance) and a victory at the Duathlon Nottwil. After last season, he had hoped for a little more. «Nevertheless, in retrospect, the effort and yield of the season to date are still right for me, especially as the shape curve has recently shown an upward trend.» Gossauer’s target for the 31st Powerman Zofingen: «I want to gain experience for an attack on the podium 2020.»

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Rolf Wermelinger (SUI), number 42 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

“I want to be in the top 10 in Zofingen”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Rolf Wermelingers’ turn today. The 40-year-old from Berne is the current number 42 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19. At the beginning of the season he invested a lot of time in his studies. “After the submission of my diploma thesis, I was able to make up for this gap in form and am aiming for a top 10 place in Zofingen.”

Rolf Wermelinger starts in Zofingen for the fourth time over the long distance. With rank 6, the 40-year-old Kirchenthurner achieved his best result so far. At the beginning of the season, the man from Berne invested a lot in his studies and was therefore still lagging behind in terms of form in spring. After the submission of his diploma thesis the student could make up for it. “Since the beginning of July I haven’t done any work and can focus fully on the preparation of the Powerman Zofingen.” Wermelinger’s last results were correspondingly good: 3rd place in the Powerman Tramelan (2nd place in the SM). 3rd place at the Zytturm Duathlon and 38th place overall at the GP Bern.

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Michael Ott (SUI), number 28 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

“I want to fight in Zofingen for the best podium places”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Michael Ott’s turn today. The 37-year-old from Zurich is the current number 28 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19. So far Ott has had a very successful season and he has an appetite for more. “I want to fight in Zofingen for the best places on the podium.”

So far the season has gone better than expected and the results are also pleasing. Michael Ott became Swiss Champion Duathlon over the short and medium distance, won the Powerman Tramelan, reached place 12 at the GP Bern “and except Gürbenthal I won all races of the Eisenhorn Swiss Duathlon Series”. Ott is a part-time sportsman, still works 50 percent as a carpenter and comes from running. He has competed three times in Zofingen so far: 2006 over the long distance (61st place), 2007 and 2008 over the short distance. “I want to be on the podium for the best places on September 8th”, the 37-year-old from Zurich makes me sit up and take notice.

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Fabian Zehnder (SUI), number 13 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19:

“I want to be in the top 5 in Zofingen”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Today it’s Fabian Zehnder’s turn. The 32-year-old from Zurich is the current number 13 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. Zehnder will be competing over the long distance for the seventh time at the Powerman Zofingen: “I want to be in the top 5 for the first time.”

The 32-year-old Fabian Zehnder from Wädenswil will start in Zofingen this year for the seventh time over the long distance, whereby his best result so far was rank 9: “I want to be in the top 5, I am satisfied with the season sales so far.” Zehnder was fifth at the European Championships in Viborg and also vice Swiss champion over the duathlon short distance. “So far these are some good results, but I missed the possible medal at the European Championships”, says number 13 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19.

Text: Raphael Galliker

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