Posted: August 18, 2005

Multisport: Preview Powerman Duathlon World Championships Zofingen-Switzerland 21st August 2005

Since 1989 Zofingen has been the most prestigious long distance duathlon race of the world. Nearly all big names in the sport of long distance triathlon and duathlon have won this very demanding race in Switzerland. Only in Zofingen the world best duathlets meet with the world best triathletes.

Zofingen is known as the hardest race of the world even if someyears ago the second run course was newly designed. The total price money is USD 55'000, the highest in the sport of Duathlon. Women start traditionally before men, this year 56 min 10 sec. This is the average of the last three years between the winning times men and women. First athltes crossing the finishing line will get a price of USD 15'000.

The center of race is "Powerman Arena Zofingen" with the transition area, a total of seven passes by the athletes and the finish line. A lot of show act, dancers and music bands create a unique athmosphere. For the first time, one of Europe's most famous announcers, Roy Fischer, well knon from Eurosport and Roth will, comment the race.

During the next weekend, more than 1000 athletes in all races and categories will finish the race in the "Powerman Arena Zofingen". With participants from 32 nations Powerman Zofingen passes the 30 nation barrier for the first time since 1999.

In the mens's field the first victory of multi-World Champion Benny Vansteelant (BEL) is expected. 2003 he lost the race against Stefan Riesen (SUI) on the last two kilometers. 2004 he had to give up on the bike course already because of an achilles injury. This year Vansteelant can profit of the injuries of the absence of the swiss cracks and winner 2003 and 2004, both injured and not able to race. He will not be in the leader group, but he is the only one that finshed all Powerman races since 1989: Willi Erismann, 63-years old swiss age groupers goes for finish number 17. A spectacular race is expected in the women's field. Top-favorite and title-holder Erika Csomor (HUN) will be chased by Duathlon World Champion 2004 Ulrike Schwalbe (GER), Triathlon World Champion 2004 Tamara Kozuline (UKR), 3-times Winter Triathlon Champion Sigi Lang (GER) and an Ironman France Winner 2005 mariska Kramer (NED). But also the 2nd and 3rd ranked of 2004, Jess Draskau-Peterssen (GBR) and Nicole Klingler (LIE) set a podium as their goal.

Top Female Athletes:

Number	Name	Nation	Best Results
10	Martina Krähenbühl	Switzerland S	wiss Duathlon Champion 2005, 1st start.
9	Natalie Kuhn	Switzerland	Winner Short Distance in 2004, 5th Long Distance 2003
8	Sigrid Lang	Germany	3-times World Champion Winter Triathlon 2001, 2004, 2005. 1st start.
7	Mariska Kramer	Netherlands	4th Powerman Duathlon European Championsships 2005 9th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2005 1st Ironman France, Nice, 2005
6	Jacqueline Uebelhart	Switzerland	12th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2005 4th Zofingen 2004
5	Nicole Klingler	Lichtenstein	2nd Powerman Luxenburg 2005 6th Duathlon WM 2005 3rd Zofingen 2004
4	Tamara Kozulina	Ukraine	World Champion ITU Long Distance 2004 1st Powerman North Carolina 2005 2nd Powerman Ohio 2005 4th Duathlon World Championships 2005
3	Jess Draskau-Peterssen	GBR	4th Duathlon LD World Championships 2004 2nd Powerman Duathlon European Championsships 2005 2nd Zofingen 2004
2	Ulrike Schwalbe	Deutschland	1st Duathlon LD World Championships 2004 1st Powerman European Championships 2005 2nd ITU Duathlon World Championships 2005
1	Erika Csomor	Ungarn	1st Duathlon SD World Championships 2001 1st Duathlon SD World Championships 2004 1st Duathlon LD World Championships 2005 1st Zofingen 2004
Top Male Athletes:
Number	Name	Nation	Best Results
10	Kenny Souza	USA	Winner Zofingen 1990 7 starts in Zofingen 1990-1997
9	Ruben Andres	Spain	9th Powerman World Ranking 8th Zofingen 2004
8	Josh Beck	USA	1st Powerman Ohio 2005 2nd start in Zofingen
7	Tom Jeffrey	USA	2nd Powerman North Carolina 2005 1st Powerman Alabama 2005 1st start in Zofingen
6	Norbert Huber	Germany	German "Duathlete of the year 2004" 5th Zofingen 2004
5	Simon Jensen	Denmark	7th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2004 6th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2005 1st start in Zofingen
4	Koen Maris	Belgium	5th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2004 4th Powerman European Championships 2005 7th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2005
3	Dirk Strothmann	Deutschland	2nd Powerman European Championships 2005 5th ITU Duathlon World Championships 2005 1st start in Zofingen
2	Nico Huybrechts	Belgium	2nd Powerman Luxembourg 2005 2nd Powerman Belgium 2005 3rd Zofingen 2004
1	Benny Vansteelant	Belgium	7-times ITU Duathlon World Champion 2nd Zofingen 2003 3rd start in Zofingen

The race website is at: www.powerman.ch.