XTERRA Switzerland, 8 September 2012, Prangins
03
Sep
2012
PRESS RELEASE
A few days before the third edition of XTERRA Switzerland - off-road triathlon - the balance of entries looks auspiciously with 600 participants -on 650 places available- on 7 open categories (Classic Men Classic Women, Classic Relay Men, Women Classic Relay, Mixed Relay Classic, Mens Short Shorts and Women).
With an impressive panel of international athletes ready to pounce on September 8 in Prangins, this international meeting of “green” triathlon could not exist without the support of sponsors and of the Commune of Prangins, essential , to ensure the success of this event. The presence of nearly 150 volunteers is also essential to ensure the safety of the athletes.
Prangins, a village of about 4000 inhabitants, with its airfield and its National Museum, is proud to host a sporting event of this magnitude, because the best international triathletes in this discipline, where you have to pick up on the remote queen (called Classic) 1.5km swim, 35km bike and 10km of running, will be on the starting line. Because the stakes are high. Indeed the XTERRA Switzerland is the fifth and final leg of the XTERRA European Tour - and thus the final - after which the titles of the 2012 XTERRA European Tour winners will be awarded, both among the Pros and in the age groups .
Within the Men Pros three athletes eligible for the 2012 XTERRA European Tour title. With two victories to his credit (XTERRA Italy and XTERRA Czech Republic), and a third and a second place in all four events before Prangins, the French Nicolas Lebrun is on course to hang this title to his name. In the current ranking he is followed by the German Alexander Haas with 49 points behind and by the English Asa Shaw third with 82 points. Knowing a win counts for 100 points you can expect a good battle between these three athletes for the coronation.
Within the Women Pros, we do not see how the title could escape the Czech Helena Erbenova who clearly dominates this year’s XTERRA European Tour. With three victories and a second place key on XTERRA Italy, only a mechanical failure could see her off the victory. She is followed by the Austrian Carina Wasle which has a delay of 81 points, and the Dutch Maud Golsteyn who is 93 points behind. Our Swiss representative, Renata Bucher, can not claim for the title, with only two legs competed on all four before XTERRA Switzerland.
It will be the same for the Franco-Swiss Olivier Marceau and the French Marion Lorblanchet. Both cannot also claim the title this year and consequently defend the one they acquired in 2011. Olivier Marceau indeed is currently in the 9th place overall, being not aligned on the XTERRA Italy and the XTERRA Czech Republic. As for Marion Lorblanchet a nasty injury forced her to rest since the XTERRA Italy last May. However, they will both be on the starting line in Prangins, both having confirmed their presence. We bet that these two athletes will thirst for victory.
Titles are involved, but qualifying places for the XTERRA World Championships in Maui on October 28 are also the key to this Swiss leg. As per the two previous editions, 34 seats will be distributed to join the off-road triathlon elite in a few weeks and rub alongside the best. We must therefore rely on a few outsiders.
For these athletes it will be essential to do a perfect race and to aim for the podium to get out of the water in great position to be among the first athletes during the mountain bike laps. The mountain bike course, although not representing a major difficulty, however, requires the dexterity and engagement to realise a good race. The paths are in some places narrow and winding. We recall that two sectors will take place in the river Promenthoux, a first sector to the tune of the Electric factory SEIC and a second under the Route de l’Etraz, and these two passages could be decisive. This will effectively require to manage the entire mountain bike course, a 17km loop to complete twice before concluding with the running, two loops of 5km from the Promenthoux beach and the Bois des Âges before crossing the finish line.
The athletes are invited to attend de pre-race briefing on Friday 7 September 2012 at 19h00.
Timetable 8 September 2012
09h00 - XTERRA Light
14h00 - XTERRA Switzerland Classic + XTERRA Relay
Corinne Kappeler Fromentin Serge Ledermann
XTERRA Switzerland XTERRA Switzerland
Comité d’organisation/Médias Président
+41 78 665 76 29 +41 79 658 53 34
[email protected] [email protected]
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