Posted: March 31, 2005

Triathlon: Björn Andersson challenges in the HP Norseman Xtreme Triathlon 2005

2004 winner Rune Høydahl - Copyright Photo: Eivind Bye

Oslo, March 31st, 2005 - Rune Höydahl won a magnificent victory in last year`s HP Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, which is the world`s toughest Ironman-distance. This year he will be challenged by the world`s best cyclist in triathlon, Björn Andersson, the Swedish professional triathlete.

Björn Andersson will enter the race to knock off Höydahl from his first place. "I understood that Rune accomplished a huge athletic performance in last year`s competition and that I will have to perform a very good race in order to beat him." "HP Norseman is a Nordic event with good potential. I was spellbound by the fantastic photos from the race. I would obviously love to be the first one to arrive at the top of Gausta mountain and to welcome Rune at the top." "There is a special relationship between Sweden and Norway. Every Swedish athlete likes winning in Norway. But I know this will be a very tough race."

Rune Höydahl enters this year`s competition much better prepared. He is without injuries and has made huge improvements on the swimming. "I am better trained now than I have been in years. It is going to be a long day and I will be chasing the Swede throughout the whole day. I know I will have to perform at a maximum level in order to beat him and hope to settle this to my advantage in the hills from Rjukan up to the mountain. This competition is insanely difficult and the experience from last year will be very important" says an optimistic Höydahl.

Trude Andersen won an equally impressive victory as Rune Höydahl and was number 8 total. She will also experience tough competition from the German Silke Hamacher. Silke Hamacher has a 5th place from the Ironman France, 2003.

With 180 competitors signed up, of the 200 possible entries, this years competition is soon filled up. The competitors range from 14 different countries, including New Zealand, USA, Thailand and South Korea. Also, 8 of the 10 best finishers from last year have already signed up for this years event.

"HP Norseman is the world`s toughest Ironman-competition, but it should foremost be a fantastic experience and a journey through the beautiful Norwegian nature" says race director Paal Haarek Stranheim.

This year's competition starts in Eidfjord on Saturday, August 6th, at 4.45 am.

For more information about the HP Norseman, visit www.nxtri.com.