Seppe Odeyn (BEL), number 28 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19:

“I want to win Zofingen – what else”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Seppe Odeyn’s turn today. The 32-year-old Belgian is the current number 28 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. But that means not a lot. Odeyn stepped in Zofingen three times on the podium: second place in 2017 and in 2015 and winner in 2016.

Seppe Odeyn is not satisfied with this season so far. «I had some troubles in the beginning of the season. I had an injury and had to stop the race at the Powerman Alsdorf, then I became sick and I had to cancel the European Championships in Viborg.» So he had so far only one success this season by winning the Powerman Greece. With the 11th place at the Ironman Lanzarote and the 5th place at the Ironman Ireland he had two more acceptable results. Talking about success. At the end of September last year Odeyn became father of a son calles Vik. «Before Zofingen I will do only a few local duathlons.» May be «Vik» stands for victory, because Odeyn has a clear goal for the 8th of September 2019: «I want to win – what else!?» It will be Odeyn’s sixth start in Zofingen, three times he stepped on the podium: second place in 2017 and in 2015 and he was winning in 2016.

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Maxim Kuzmin (RUS), number 14 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19:

“I want my title back in Zofingen”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Maxim Kuzmin’s turn today. The 31-year-old Russian is the current number 14 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. The world champion of 2017 wants his title back this year.

Maxim Kuzmin mailed on the 22nd of July at his 31st anniversary: “Yes I will take part at the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships.” The Russian starts in Zofingen already for the fourth time. When he won the title two years ago it was a surprise for everyone. And Kuzmin still has a lot of selfconvidence: “This year I come to Zofingen to get my title back again.” This season the Russian ended up in 4th place at the Russian National duathlon championships over the sprint distance and second place at the Russian National triathlon championships over the middle distance. “This season I can not say that I’m completely satisfied. In June there was an injury – I broke my right arm after falling from my bike.” But Kuzmin is sure, that he will be in topform again till the 8th of September 2019, “because already one month after the accident I took part in the mentioned Triathlon championships.”

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Thomas Bruins (NED), number 9 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19:

“Top-5 is my goal in Zofingen this time”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Thomas Bruins’ turn today. The 29-year-old Dutch, living in Australia, is the current number 9 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. Due to new working commitments Bruins had to change his training and racing conditions a bit.

Thomas Bruins startet at the Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships three times so far. His best result he achieved at his first appearance in 2016 when he got seventh. “This year my goal is to be in the top-five”, says the 29-year-old Dutch who lives in Perth. “To balance new working commitments my training and racing have been different this year. I’ve done a lot more mountain biking and running with my dog. It has been a nice change.” Bruins works for a local government council – in Switzerland it would be town or city district level. “We have 270’000 people living in this council. This is one of many councils that make up the city of Perth. I work in the recreation department – supporting the council swimming pools, gyms, recreation centres and reserves.” So his best result this year was a second place at the Powerman Malaysia, at the 2019 Putrajaya ASTC Powerman Middle Distance Duathlon Asian Championships.

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Michele Paonne (LIE), number 4 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19:

“I’ll give anything to start in Zofingen”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. It’s Michele Paonne’s turn today. The 31-year-old from Liechtenstein is the current number 4 in the 2018/19 Powerman World Ranking. In the first half of the season Paonne shone with top results, but then came July 7th and a crash on the bike at 55 km/h changed the look: “I’m trying everything to be fit again in time for September 8th.”

Michele Paonne has achieved three podium finishes this season: Rank 3 at Powerman Mallorca and rank 2 each at Powerman Greece and Powerman Swiss in Tramelan. This catapulted the 31-year-old from Liechtenstein to 4th place in the world ranking, “I am very satisfied with the first half of the season and would have liked to finish it at this level. But then came this 7th July, “when I thundered and fell on my bike over the Rhine dam at about 55 kilometres per hour”. The result: a fracture of the elbow and painful abrasions. “I really want to start at the Powerman Zofingen and try everything to be as fit as possible at the start on September 8th.” Paonne has started three times in Zofingen so far. His best result was rank 8 two years ago. “Last year, lying in fifth place, I had to give up because of cramps.”

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Daan De Groot (NED), number 3 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

“I never did such an insanely long distance before”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Today it’s Daan De Groot’s time. The 27-year-old Dutch is the current number 3 in the Powerman World Ranking 2018/19. Because he never before did such a long distance before, he will gain in Zofingen some experience.

“Yes, I will very likely start at the 31st Powerman Zofingen,” confirms Daan De Groot on request. «Of course, I need to stay injury-free, but all is going well for now.» This with one exception: «I was a bit sick the last couple of weeks because I seem to be allergic to a specific kind of caterpillar that has invaded the Netherlands. But that seems to be under control for now.» Powerman Zofingen means 10 Km running, 150 km one the bike and than another 30 km running. «Last year I started for the first time in Zofingen over the short distance and I won the race. I never made such a long distance before, so I mainly come for gaining some experience in doing such an insanely long distance.» De Groot is in a very good shape. «I’m super satisfied with the season so far. I feel great and keep improving.» His biggest successes this year are definitely his wins at the Powerman Alsdorf and at the European Championships in Viborg. Before the 8th of September De Groot might do a half triathlon in Eupen, Belgium, «but I’m not sure yet».

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Caption:
The soon 28-year-old Dutch Daan De Groot won last year in Zofingen over the short distance. This year he will gain some experience over the long distance because he’s never done such an effort before. Photo: zVg

Peter Ellis (GBR), number 2 of the current Powerman World Ranking 2018/19

“I want to be among the top ten in Zofingen”

In a series we present the top favourites of the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. We started with the defending champion Petra Eggenschwiler from Solothurn a few days ago. Whether Gaël Le Bellec will be able to defend his title on 8 September 2019 in Zofingen is completely unclear. The French world number one was shot down by a car on May 5th at the Powerman Michigan in Frankenmuth on the second bike lap and is still injured. Thus the English world rank second Peter “Oz” Ellis moves into the spotlight.

“Yes, I plan to start at the 31st Powerman Zofingen,” confirms Peter “Oz” Ellis on request. However, the Englishman, born on the 16th of August 1983, is relatively modest with regard to 8 September 2019. “I want to finish in the top 10 in Zofingen.” The Powerman world ranking second place is in top form: “I proved this with my two victories at the Powerman Hawaii and at the Powerman Michigan”. Ellis now wants to strike again at the UK Armed Forces Triathlon Championships on 24 July, where he will compete for the Royal Air Force. In the Age Group category, the Englishman has won everything there is to win: World and European Champion, plus British and English Champion. “I’m happy with the season so far, but I know there will be a lot more to come.” Anyway, Ellis wants to do better in Zofingen this time than at his premiere two years ago. “That’s when I ended up in a disappointing 23rd place.”

Text: Raphael Galliker

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

Caption:
The soon 36-year-old Englishman Peter Ellis wants to crown his very good season in Zofingen on 8 September 2019. Photo: zVg

Petra Eggenschwiler, defending champion at Powerman Zofingen

“I can do everything better this year”

Petra Eggenschwiler won the 30th anniversary Powerman Zofingen last year on the new track. Her rivals at the 2019 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships should be listening to the 31-year-old from Solothurn: “I can still do everything better on September 8, 2019 than last year”. Especially in terms of endurance, she was able to improve thanks to her first Ironman stars.

“I didn’t expect that in any way”, Petra Eggenschwiler was not able to really take her title at the 2018 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships at first. “I didn’t believe in victory until I set off on the last 10 kilometre lap. The longer the race lasted, the more pain I had and I just hoped that I could hold out. “For health reasons, the Solothurn native, who grew up in Laupersdorf, had decided not to start at the Powerman Zofingen in 2016 and 2017. The newly designed 10 km running course, 150 km cycling course and another 30 km running course took the then 30-year-old in just 7 hours and 39 seconds. She was over 22 minutes faster than the runner-up, Melanie Maurer from Bern, who grew up in Wikon.

On a wave of success

Since then Eggenschwiler has turned almost everything she took under her feet into gold. She doesn’t seem to have any competition in mountain and long-distance races this year. nor in the Duathlon. In Viborg, Denmark, Eggenschwiler became European Champion Powerman ETU middle distance duathlon, ahead of Maurer. Only at the Swiss Duathlon Championships this year was she relegated to 2nd place by Maurer. Now Eggenschwiler is already showing off in triathlon: 5th place at the PRO Women Halbironman Rapperswil 2019 at her debut and 6th place (3rd European) shortly after at the Ironman Frankfurt (Ironman-EM). “I’m very satisfied with the course of the season so far, it even went much better than expected.” The first Ironman starts would have helped her a lot: “I’ve improved a lot, especially in terms of race length, I’ve got more endurance.” Before the Powerman Zofingen the next highlight is the Inferno Triathlon on August 17th. In the Bernese Oberland, the Solothurn native was second in each of the last two years.

The challenge

On the 8th of September Eggenschwiler at least wants to be on the podium of the Powerman Zofingen. “If possible, I want to defend my world title. But at the finish line, I just want to be able to say that I did my best.” The 31-year-old from Solothurn is listening attentively to the question of what she could do even better this year compared to last year’s Powerman Zofingen: “Everything! And asked for a comparison old/new track at the Powerman Zofingen, she says: “I actually like both of them, although I liked the old bike track a bit better, because it contained a bit more crisp climbs.”

At the moment she feels comfortable everywhere, with mountain runs, duathlons and triathlons. “Okay, swimming is one of those things – but I still love to do mountain runs, it was always like that and will probably stay like that. “Two final statements prove that Eggenschwiler will start the Powerman Zofingen completely relaxed. “I didn’t look at the starting list to see who my toughest competitors could be at the 31st Powerman Zofingen” and “after my premiere over the whole IRONMAN distance in Frankfurt I’m going to give up duathlons and triathlons for a while now and just want to enjoy the summer. I want to do what I want to do and that means spending a lot of time in the mountains. »

Text: Raphael Galliker

Powerman ETU middle distance Duathlon-EM in Denmark

Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer fetch gold and silver in Viborg. The two Swiss girls lived up to their role as favourites at the Powerman ETU Middle Distance Duathlon European Championships in Denmark and secured a double victory. The long distance world champion of Zofingen 2018, Petra Eggenschwiler, added another title to her Palmarès in the former Danish capital. Maurer had already won silver last year, defending champion Sandrina Illes (AUT) was fourth behind Brit Alice Hector.

After the first 10 km of running, the two Swiss changed to the bike a few seconds behind Illes and Georgina Schwiening (GBR), the third Swiss, Nina Zoller, followed 30 seconds later. Eggenschwiler quickly took the lead, Maurer and Zoller took the next places. On the second 10 km run, Eggeschwiler’s lead remained practically the same, the Solothurn athlete secured the title with 3:53 minutes ahead of the Bernese Maurer from Wikon/LU. Zoller ranked 9th in the final.

Zehnder in 5th place

Fabian Zehnder (TG Hütten) was in a group of five athletes after the first run, who only separated by a few seconds. The Swiss was well on his way on the bike. He changed back into his running shoes on the 3rd intermediate position, behind Daan de Groot (NED) and Chris Fischer (DEN). “I had to work a lot on the windy bike course and there were no possibilities (descents) to take a breather,” Zehnder described the “brutally hard” competition. “Unfortunately I still lost my full bottle on the cobblestone, whereby cramps belonged to my constant companion. I had to improvise a little during the rations, which I felt from kilometre 5 on on the 2nd run”, Fabian Zehnder continued. “The
running today was very coupiert and windy, so I lost a lot of time.” Zehnder had been able to hold
position 3 until kilometre 5, after which he dropped back to fifth place. The second Swiss player to start, Jens-Michael Gossauer (Powerlab Rebels), came in 10th. The Dutchman Daan de Groot could not take the title anymore.
Reinhard Standke/Raphael Galliker

Caption: Swiss European Championship double victory in Denmark thanks to Petra Eggenschwiler
(centre) and Melanie Maurer (left). On the right the British bronze medallist Alice Hector. Photo: zVg

Viborg. Powerman ETU middle distance Duathlon EM (10 km running, 60 km cycling, 10 km running). Men: 1st Daan de Groot (DEN) 2:37:19. 2nd Jan Petralia (BEL) 2:37:55, 0:36 minutes back. 3. Gonzalo Fuentes (ESP) 2:38:57, 1:38. 4. Ben Price (GBR) 2:40:02, 2:42. 5. Fabian Zehnder (SUI, Wädenswil/TG Hütten) 2:40:32, 3:13. – Further: 10. Jens-Michael Gossauer (SUI, Greifensee/Powerlab Rebels)
2:44:04, 6:45. DNS Roberteo Delorenzi (SUI, Sigirino/Tri Team Ticino). 2. 44. – Women: 1st Petra
Eggenschwiler (SUI, Solothurn) 2:54:39. 2nd Melanie Maurer (SUI, Schliern b. Köniz) 2:58:32, 3:53.
3rd Alice Hector (GBR) 3:01:57, 7:18. – Further: 9th Nina Zoller (SUI, Chur) 3:10:33, 15:53.

More results:
https://www.sportstiming.dk/event/6054/results?round=25196

The world rankings:
http://www.powerman.org/ranking-results/

Duathlon, Powerman Germany in Alsdorf:

Daan de Groot and Laura Zimmermann win

Daan de Groot from the Netherlands and the German Laura Zimmermann, have on the classic race (10 km/60 km/ 10 km) of the Powerman Germany in Alsdorf. More than 750 athletes and multi-sport enthusiasts from all over the world took part in this second edition of one of Europe’s m

ost important duathlons, to compete for the title. The race had perfect weather conditions.

The Belgium Jan Petralia, member of the Domo elctro Scott Team and the German Champion Sascha Huppert achieved to finish second and third, while Katharina Grohmann from Germany and Alice Hector from Great Britian, in second and third place respectively. Whereas in the women’s race no Swiss girl had started, in the men’s race the Swiss Fabian Zehnder and Jens-Michael Gossauer finished in fourth and fifth place.

The competition, held in Alsdorf, Germany, has been organized by Marathon-Club Eschweiler 1983 e.V

. Powerman is the premier label for long-distance duathlons. Powerman unites the biggest and most well-known long distance duathlons in the world under the International Powerman Association (IPA). The Powerman Alsdorf in Germany is official Candidate for 2020 ETU Powerman European Championships Duathlon. The main event will take place on 8th of September at the 2019 Zofingen ITU Po

werman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. rga

Results Powerman Germany Alsdorf Classic Category (10 km Run – 60 km Bike – 10 km Run).

Men:

1. Daan de Groot (NL) 2:30:21, 2. Jan Petralia (BEL) 2:31:38, 3. Sascha Hubbert (GER) 2:32:53.

Women:

1. Laura Zimmermann (GER)

2:50:05, 2. Katharia Grohmann (GER) 2:52:05, 3. Alice Hector (GBR) 2:53:56.

More information: www.powerman-alsdorf.de and http://triathlon-timing.com/results/#results%2F2019%2F2019_04_14_Powerman_Alsdorf_-_Together_we_boost_Duathlon

Duathlon, outlook with OC President Stefan Ruf on 31st Powerman Zofingen:

Powerman Zofingen benefits from the Federer effect

In about five months the 31st Powerman Zofingen will take place. After last year’s complete renewal of the cycle track and the celebration of the anniversary, this year is a year of consolidation. But stagnation would also mean a setback for the Powerman Zofingen, which is why they want to invest in the quality of the world’s best duathlon. To ensure that ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships can still be held in Zofingen after 2020, the organizers need additional professional reinforcements in the personnel area, but also additional sponsoring money. In the following interview, Stefan Ruf, who is starting his 17th year as OC president, explains how this is to be achieved.

Stefan Ruf, on 7th/8th September 2019, in about five months, the 31st Powerman Zofingen will take place. Are you a little nervous already?

Stefan Ruf, OK President Powerman Zofingen: I’m a little nervous already, after all it’s about the first Powerman Zofingen after the 30-year anniversary. The past has shown that we are never immune to surprises. In addition, we have reassigned personnel to some of the departments and the new managers must first familiarise themselves with their tasks.

Last year there was a new bike route. Are there any new adjustments for this year?

We invested a lot of time and energy in 2018 to find a cycle track that will last for the next few years. Therefore, there should be no changes, but only minor optimizations.

How did the new cycle route, the majority of which runs through the canton of Aargau, reach athletes, sponsors and the general public?

I can really say that the new bike course has met with a positive response everywhere. Our expectations were exceeded. In retrospect, one even has to ask oneself whether a new route might have been advantageous even earlier.

“12 transit villages – one race” is the slogan used in connection with the new cycle track that was introduced last year. How do you want to involve the transit communities in this?

In fact, we drive through many new communities and through the existing ones on a different route or in the opposite direction. The bike course is the heart of our event. We want to use the new starting position to significantly strengthen the relationship with the transit churches. We don’t just want to use the streets, we want to build a mutually fruitful partnership. Not every village has the opportunity to be a partner in a world championship and to present itself in a very exclusive garment. Our goal for 2019 is for a special activity to take place in each individual church, sometime a year, on the occasion itself, or even throughout the year.

In Reitnau there will be a special all-year-event where everyone can take part on the bike. What are the details like?

The idea is to set up a permanent timing track at one of the most attractive places on our cycle route, in the ascent of Reitnau. Cyclists of all ages and abilities can thus compete throughout the year, be it in terms of the fastest time or the total metres of altitude they have climbed. We would be very happy if we could find suitable partners to realize this project.

What changes can you expect for the 31st Powerman Zofingen?

2019 is a year of consolidation. This year and also in 2020 we are allowed to host ITU World Championships. This gives us a certain planning security. We want to use this time to further improve the quality of our organization.

What needs to be even better in the future?

We need further partners who can support us professionally with their services. Only in this way will it be possible to remain the world number 1 in duathlon in the future. Of course, we will also need sponsorship money in cash in the future, but increasingly also sponsorships in the form of the provision of highly qualified personnel.

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. Are you honoured that the ITU (International Triathlon Union) and the IPA (International Powerman Association) will be making their twelfth and 13th appearances in Zofingen after 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, not to mention their ninth and tenth in a row?

It is indeed something of which I am personally very proud. The fact that the ITU places this trust in us is due to our transparency and our dealings with the international association. But we have to be aware at all times that this World Cup history can be over at any time. In this respect, it is precisely for this reason that we have to invest in organisational quality and in athlete advertising. Our claim must be that exactly the same number of athletes come, whether or not a World Cup takes place in Zofingen.

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’ve never counted the years and that’s a good sign for me personally. Powerman is for me a balance to my professional activity and must therefore be fun. This requires two things: success and a
positive, optimistic environment. We have both at the moment, which was not the case 17 years ago, for example.

On an international level, it is above all the female figureheads of the Powerman Zofingen who are the top. The current Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championship Petra Eggenschwiler won this year the Powerman Mallorca and the Vice Champion Melanie Maurer just won the Powerman Greece. Such advertising ambassadors are certainly good for the Powerman Zofingen?

Petra Eggenschwiler and Melanie Maurer are currently giving Duathlon sport a powerful tailwind. Last year’s Swiss double victory in Zofingen led, among other things, to the Powerman Zofingen appearing both in the sports panorama and in the main edition of the Swiss television news. This is an impressive demonstration of how important national flagships are in a sport. I could also say that we are currently benefiting from the so-called Federer effect. The encouraging prospect is that both Swiss women are in their prime and will be able to continue to shape this sport for several years to come.

The 2018 renewed cycle route will again pass through the old town of Zofingen in 2019. Here world champion Petra Eggenschwiler, who drives past the Niklaus Thut fountain.

At the national level, the Powerman Zofingen wants to work more closely with the Powerman Tramelan and Swiss Duathlon. What are your goals?

The Swiss market is relatively small. It therefore makes no sense for different organizations and events to work on the same customer segment. Together you can use the available budget much more efficiently and purposefully and thus ultimately inspire significantly more people to take part in duathlon.

The OK has now grown to about 50 people. Where are there still vacancies that can/must be filled?

For the Powerman Zofingen as the world’s most important duathlon event and world championship, the focus must be primarily on the foreign participants. There is no doubt that we can and must do much more. Domestically we are now working more closely with Swiss Duathlon and this year we are official supporter and partner of the Swiss Duathlon racing series, which has grown to 12 events in 2019.

Also with the Powerman CHARITY and the PowerKids you stir the advertising drum more intensively. Do the participants benefit from this as well?

The undisputed highlight of our event is undoubtedly the long distance race. All activities must be geared primarily to this. The CHARITY run and the Powerkids are, however, two further pillars with which we also want to offer something locally and regionally. The support of charitable organisations and the promotion of young sportsmen and women are therefore also close to our hearts in the future.

Nowadays, social media take an increasingly important place at sports events. Did the Powerman Zofingen recognize this?

The social media are particularly important insport. Athletes from all over the world can talk about it. The organizers must also use these media to communicate with their participants, which will certainly become even more important in the future. Because the very best advertising is and remains the recommendation and a positive assessment is spread very quickly and very widely via the social media. This is why we will also continue to expand our presence in the social media.

Interview: Raphael Galliker

More information at www.powerman.swiss

Captions:
1.) Stefan Ruf, OC President of the Powerman Zofingen, wants to bundle forces and resources in the future and work even more closely with Swiss Duathlon and the Powerman Tramelan.

2.) The 2018 renewed cycle route will again pass through the old town of Zofingen in 2019. Here world champion Petra Eggenschwiler, who drives past the Niklaus Thut fountain.
Photos: Powerman Zofingen/Blende 8.5 Zofingen