Powerman Austria/Long Course Duathlon World Championships
August 17 & 18, 2002
14k run, 76k bike, 7k run
Also: 7k/38k/7k event and relay
PowerKids Duathlon for duathletes born 1987 to 1995
US$50,000 prize money to top 20 men and women
www.powerman.at

The 2002 edition of Powerman Austria, which doubles as the ITU long course Duathlon World Championships, is an event you might not want to miss. Those that competed at the 1997 Duathlon World Championships in Spain will remember the wonderful hospitality from the citizens of Gernica, and the host town of Powerman Austria puts out the same hospitality.

The race begins with a mostly flat 2 lap run totaling 14km, followed by a 2 lap 76km bike course which includes a 1000 foot climb, and finishes with a flat 7km run. All details on the race are available at www.powerman.at. For a description of the town and race, see the comments below from Benny Vansteelant, Huub Maas, and LeRoy Popowski.

As the World Championships, each country will be able to send 18 athletes per age group, plus competitors in the Clydesdale divisions. The US qualifiers start soon (April 20, May, and July 6 - click here for details). Duathletes of other countries should contact their national federation to determine how to qualify.

From World Champion Benny Vansteelant of Belgium:
Powerman Weyer is really one of the greatest races I have ever done! Everything of this organization is top: a warm reception, the race briefing, Powerkids, race course, and the party afterwards. This region is made for Powerman with its beautiful quiet and green region with nice running tracks and challenging hills for the bike course. And even most important is that people in this region are having a true Powerman spirit, all the people of the region are watching the event and are encouraging the athletes (from the first to the last one) with their cowbells and hop, hop, hop...! ! ! The whole race really breathes a special atmosphere and this really helps you push yourself further then ever before. It is the first time that the Powerman Austria team are organizing a world championship in Weyer and I am 100% sure that they will make it something very special.

From World third ranked Huub Maas of the Netherlands:
The course is very nice and safe. The organization is really fantastic. Almost everyone in town is on the move for the race. The day before the race there was a Powerkids race at Grossraming and every kid of the town was competing. On our raceday last year the weather was cold, but I have never seen so many spectators. After the race at the ceremony it was still very busy and the party was great. The people are very friendly and enthusiastic.

From American LeRoy Popowski:
I would highly recommend Powerman Austria. It is without a doubt the most memorable race that I have ever participated in. The hospitality of the race organizers, the host families and the communities involved in hosting the race was very impressive. I was very struck by how excited and enthusiastic the people of the villages were to be a part of Powerman Austria. This event is an incredible production in which all members of the villages actively participate to make it a very grand event.  It was quite unbelievable to me to learn that villages actually competed financially with one another to be part of the race course. Hugo and the entire event organization did an outstanding job of organizing and hosting a tremendous event in 2001 and I am certain that this tradition will continue for years due to their enthusiasm and commitment. I have never competed in an event that has been more exciting.  Spectators lined most of the course and were very enthusiastic in their encouragement of the competitors. The course was incredibly beautiful, including excellent road surfaces winding through majestic mountains, picturesque farmland and the most beautiful villages.

Photos
2001 winners Benny Vansteelant and Erika Csomer

Benny Vansteelant signing autographs

Stefan Riesen climbs with the help of the locals