Powerman Austria
Weyer, Austria
Sunday, August 23, 2009
15.6k run, 82.5k bike, 7.3k run

Elite Men
1. Joerie VANSTEELANT BEL   3:27:16
2. Anthony LE DUEY    FRA   3:34:11
3. Andy SUTZ          SUI   3:34:27
4. Karl PRUNGRABER    AUT   3:37:20
5. Wim NIEUWKERK      NED   3:38:06
6. Sebastian RETZLAFF GER   3:39:30
7. Sigi BAUER         AUT   3:40:03
8. Albuin SCHWARZ     AUT   3:43:01
9. Pascal SCHULER     FRA   3:45:06
10.Christian JAIS     GER   3:49:02

Elite Women
1. Sylvie QUITTOTFRA   4:05:09
2. Victoria Beck   NZL   4:15:10
3. Michelle Parsons   GBR   4:22:15
4. Jessica Jarz   AUT   4:24:30
5. Daniela Rechberger   AUT   4:26:46
6. Margit Messinger-Walek   AUT   4:28:52

With an impressive performance Joerie Vansteelant demonstrated his strong shape and won in 3:27:16 hours over the new, longer distance of 15,6k/82,4k/7,3k. Vansteelant: "I had good legs today. The new bike course is nice, but really hard. We will see next year what today's time is worth".

From the very start the World Champion and Powerman Austria record holder maintained his 7 minute lead over second Anthony Le Duey from France and third Andy Sutz from Switzerland. Sutz had been in second position until the final run but was passed by Le Duey. Sutz suffered a knee injury three weeks ago and could therefore only do little running training.

The female elite race was won by Sylvie Quittot from France in 4:05:09, who was surprised as she did not expect to be first. It seems that the very difficult course aided her as she is a specialist for mountains and hilly courses. Kristin Moeller from Germany had been in the lead until the first bike lap but had to give up on the second lap when going up "Heartbreak Hill" due to cardiovascular problems. Powerman Austria 2008 winner Victoria Beck from New Zealand finished second, seven minutes ahead of Powerman Austria winner 2007 Michelle Parsons from Great Britain.

Except for little rain in Maria Neustift on the bike course, weather conditions were perfect with around 22°Celsius and sunny weather throughout the day.

Thousands of spectators cheered the athletes and created the well-known very special, very hearty Powerman Austria feeling.