TRIATHLON REACHES NEW HEIGHTS IN 2021!

After the hiatus of racing in 2020, we have witnessed an impressive return to racing across middle and long distance triathlon. While we awaited for racing to be fast and furious given the motivation behind our athletes missing a full year of racing, we never expected the level that came with it. In almost every race; which we saw in abundance, was raced like a Championship, attracting a high calibre and seeing many race records smashed.

We are proud to have had our athletes amongst those setting records and writing their names in the history books during this emblematic 2021 racing season!

First we take a look at the incredible season for our new recruit Rudy Von Berg, as he scored some big results with some huge performances during his racing stint in Europe.

Elsinore, Denmark played host to the Ironman 70.3 European Championships. A strong and deep field of professionals ensured a very tight battle. Coming down to sprint finish, Rudy Von Berg was 2nd in his first European outing for 2021. Holding his ground, he put in a solid finish to clock the 3rd fastest run split and a personal best with a time of 1:09:34, eventually crossing the line a mere 23 seconds behind to take 2nd place.

Just one week later, he lined up at Ironman 70.3 Les Sables d´Olonne to finish 2nd for another strong performance. One month later, he finally took that well deserved victory he had been chasing, when he won Ironman 70.3 Switzerland. Von Berg was under no pressure at all. With a 1:13:06 run, he completed his own race, producing a winning margin of more than six minutes...A welcome return to the top step of the podium. Notably Swissman Ruedi Wild also came charging home with 2nd fastest run split, to earn himself a well deserved 2nd place finish.

Next up we reflect on the performance by the 2012 ITU World Champion and Olympic silver medallist Lisa Norden at Ironman Lake Placid.

With the Olympic Games happening at the time in Tokyo, the well known Swedish Triathlon who is a three-time Olympian, turned to another goal instead this year. She opted to make her debut at a long distance Ironman and aim for the 2022 Ironman World Championship slot..

One of the iconic events in the Ironman Triathlon returned to New York. Lake Placid brought triathletes from all over the world to test themselves on the legendary course, despite wet conditions.

Lisa was third out of the water on her eagerly-awaited full-distance debut, her 51:39 leaving her just over four minutes behind. She took total control on the bike leg though, producing the best split of the day (4:55:26) to lead by more than six minutes going into the run. She went on to extend her lead on the run, winning by more than seven minutes and earning herself a slot at next year's Ironman World Championships. An impressive performance in her first attempt at the distance!

Then we turn our focus to the Frenchman Arnaud Guilloux who continued where he left off in 2019 when he won Ironman Wales. He went up agains the best again this year and proved that he ´means business´.

After the cancellation last year and the postponement in July, the Ironman Austria in Klagenfurt finally took place in September. A course ideal for Guilloux with a fast bike leg, and as expected, he made the most of it. After exiting the water in 8th position, he drew back the leading men on the bike and rode head-to-head at the front of the race with the Swede Rasmus Svenningsson.

Breaking clear before entering T2, Guilloux took the lead. However on the run he had to contend with the likes of Denis Chevrot who had a standout season. Between the 30-35km mark, Chevrot and Svenningsson both overtook Guilloux. But with his qualification already sealed for the 2022 Ironman World Championship in St. George, it was still an impressive effort by Guilloux who finished in 3rd and went under 8 hours for a time of 7h58.

Last but by no means least, we close out with a tribute to our Swiss Triathlete Ruedi Wild. In one of his best seasons since commencing his long distance racing career, Ruedi decided to call Ironman Cozumel his last race, and what a final dance it was...

It's what all elite athletes aim for; to finish their racing career at the top level of their sport. That is exactly what happened when he finished 2nd at the race held in Cozumel, Mexico this November. A huge performance by Wild saw him finish with a 2hr41 marathon and 2nd place after 7hr36´25¨. He posted his best ever performance over the distance and the 3rd fastest time in history. In doing so he also became the fastest Swiss man across the distance!!

¨It's the best way to finish a long-time career with this kind of racing. But what will ultimately stay with me and make it so memorable are not the results themselves but all the unique experiences I made over the last few years and friendships that will last forever¨ Ruedi Wild.

His illustrious career includes Olympic Games representation in 2012, Silver at the 2018 ITU Long Distance World Championships and 3rd at the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Massive Congratulations Ruedi! It has been a pleasure to support you over the years and we wish you all the very best in the next chapter.

We cannot wait to see what the 2022 season brings! With many of our athletes already qualified for the Ironman World Championships and Ironman 70.3 World Championships, we expect it to be an even bigger one than this year!