Oberstaufen/GER: the weekend 13/14 January will witness the start into the 2001 European Winter Triathlon season, consisting of 4 ETU Cup races and the European Winter Triathlon Championships. Races in Freudenstadt/GER (21.1.), Donovaly/SVK (10.2.) and Mals/ITA (11.3.) will – together with Oberstaufen – form the ETU cup, the European Championships follow March 18, just one week before the World Championships in Winter Triathlon are staged. This guarantees a compact package for the athletes.

All results of the 4 ETU Winter Triathlon Cup races will count towards the overall ranking. The minimum prize money at ETU cup races is 4000€ for the top 5 men and women, the Cup final awards 7600€ for the top 10 men and women, the overall prize purse is 12.000€ (top 7)!

Oberstaufen, located in Allgaeu near Immenstadt, organises the ETU Cup and German Championships already the 3rd time, and will again be able to welcome almost 400 winter triathletes from 12 nations. The ‘who-is-who’ in winter triathlon will have their rendez-vous on Sunday morning (11am first start), and also the whole German National team will take the challenge, which guarantees a hot atmosphere!

For the men’s race a true stellar field will toe the start line for the 5km run/15km MTB/8km cross-country skiing event. On top of the list Paolo Riva/ITA, dominator of this multisport variant in the last years. Martin Lang, the local hero and Juan Apiluello from Spain will try to make it not too easy for Riva to take the win. And of course, Zibi Slufcik/GER, Ivan Schuwey/SUI, Marc Ruhe/LIE and Mathias Holzner/GER are also among the top contenders and have to be taken into account for podium places.

Andrea Degasperi/ITA, European Junior Champion 1999 and 3rd in the Junior ECs 2000, Klaus Zanker/GER, 2nd in the Junior ECs 1998 and 1999 and Benjamin Sonntag/GER, European Junior Champion 2000 will try to bring some positive surprises. Spectators can look forward to cheer on Andreas Raelert, 12th in the Sydney Olympic Games and the ‘next generation’: Steffen Justus, European Triathlon Junior Champion 2000, Christian Weimer, 2nd in the Junior World Championships 1999 and Rene Göhler! They all give winter triathlon a TRI.

The women’s start list also displays well-known names and guarantees the best field: Marianne Vlasveld/NED, European Cup winner 2000 and 2nd in the ECs, reigning European Champion Sigrid Lang/GER, Gabi Pauli/GER, a consistent top place getter, Karin Moebes/SUI, reigning World Champion in winter triathlon will all join the start line-up. Jindriska Bejstova/SVK, 3rd in last year’s Junior ECs will try to perform well in the elite, as well as triathlete Heidi Jesberger/GER.

The weather forecast promises temperatures round 0°C and sunny to cloudy conditions – excellent for winter triathlon !

Results will be available Sunday afternoon.

For information visit www.etu.org and www.wintertriathlon.de
ETU HQ,
T: +43 664 4155499,
tri-duathlon.koenig@magnet.at