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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was followed by the stars of the flagship middle distance race discussing their approach to race day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Julie Derron, who will represent Germany in the Olympics in Paris, said the race was an important part of her Olympic preparation, \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therese Feuersinger will line up for her first middle-distance tomorrow and also is a reserve on the Austrian team for Paris. \u201cThis 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\u2019s see, but I am concentrating on myself, and I just want to finish the race.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2019 winner, Maurice Clavel returns to the Austrian Alps with fond memories of the race, \u201cThat is a win you will never forget; I am fired up from the atmosphere here. It didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is up against fellow Germans Tom Hug, Maximilian Sperl and Justus Nieschlag, among others, with Sperl saying, \u201cI’m fully focused on the middle distance. I understand that it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the press conference the age group Aquathlon athletes took the water with Sabrina Exenberger (AUT) taking out the women\u2019s race 37:14 and Pedro Montes de Oca (MEX) posting the fastest time of the day in the men\u2019s race in 36:03.
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n