The best of triathlon was on show on the first day of Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee this weekend with everyone from juniors to Olympians in the spotlight.
The day kicked off with over 200 youngsters aged 5-19 kicking off their triathlon career, crossing the same finish line as their triathlon heroes will tomorrow.
This was followed by the stars of the flagship middle distance race discussing their approach to race day.
Julie Derron, who will represent Germany in the Olympics in Paris, said the race was an important part of her Olympic preparation, “This is my first time here, and I love it. I rode the course for the first time yesterday. I just want to give my best tomorrow. This race is part of my Olympic preparation before I go to altitude training camp in St Moritz.”
Therese Feuersinger will line up for her first middle-distance tomorrow and also is a reserve on the Austrian team for Paris. “This is my home race. Normally, I am a short-distance athlete, but I decided at the last minute to start here this year. I have never run 21km before, so let’s see, but I am concentrating on myself, and I just want to finish the race.”
2019 winner, Maurice Clavel returns to the Austrian Alps with fond memories of the race, “That is a win you will never forget; I am fired up from the atmosphere here. It didn’t really fit in my schedule in the last few years, but I am happy to be back now. I am going into this with full power, and we will see what the outcome will be.”
He is up against fellow Germans Tom Hug, Maximilian Sperl and Justus Nieschlag, among others, with Sperl saying, “I’m fully focused on the middle distance. I understand that it’s a challenging and specific course, but I believe I’m prepared for it. I’m ready to give it my all and see where it takes me.”
After the press conference the age group Aquathlon athletes took the water with Sabrina Exenberger (AUT) taking out the women’s race 37:14 and Pedro Montes de Oca (MEX) posting the fastest time of the day in the men’s race in 36:03.
The day wrapped with the 5km Challenge Women Fun Run as a sea of pink, made up of over 120 women of all ages and abilities, circled the lake, completing one lap of the run course.
Racing continues tomorrow with the Middle Distance with a strong field of over 60 professional athletes and the Aquabike. Race start is at 8:30am local time, starting with the professional women, followed at 8:40am by the professional men. Live updates and timing are available at www.challenge-family.live.
