European Winter Triathlon Cup
Sunday, January 21. Freudenstadt, Germany.
7k run, 20k bike, 3k run (ski canceled)

Round 2 of the European Winter Triathlon Cup series 2001 took place in
Nordschwarzwald, and the athletes could enjoy another excellently organized race.
Highest appreciation came from their side for the race organization and set up, with
demanding courses and a marvelous mountain bike trail.

Snow or no snow was the question these past days, as green surroundings
welcomed athletes and organizers. The last leg was replaced by a short run (3km), the
bike section elongated to 4 laps (20km). Together with the 7km run to start the
Alpirsbacher COOLMAN Winter Triathlon European Cup, the winter triathletes had a
race they truly enjoyed, and that favored their skills. Wonderful sunny winter weather
and the white backdrop added to the show.

Sigrid Lang, winner last weekend in Oberstaufen and German Champion in
winter triathlon clocked the fastest running split well ahead of her closest
opponents Gabi Pauli (she entered the first transition in 3rd position) and
Karin Moebes from Switzerland. A strong performance on the bike brought
Pauli in the lead, where she determined the pace together with Sigrid Lang.

This head to head competition brought both athletes together into the second
transition. The reigning Winter Triathlon World Champion Karin Moebes could
move up into the 3rd position. On the last part Lang once again turned on
the heat and could take another gold, ahead of Gabi Pauli and Karin Moebes.
Marianne Vlasveld/NED, who suffered from a foot injury during the whole
autumn period could not join the start line up, same as Karin Bliemhuber,
Junior World Champion, who had problems with her back.

The men started with a group of 4 setting the pace, and Damian Kallabis in
the lead. The reigning 3000m Steeplechase European Champion was expected to
compete in the Mini COOLMAN Winter Triathlon race in the morning, but he
changed his mind to take the challenge of the European Cup event. Zibi

Szlufcik, several times Polish Biathlon Champion and now competing for VC
Regensburg, could stay closest to Kallabis, left the first transition in
second position and took the lead on the first of 4 bike laps. Martin Lang,
reigning German Winter Triathlon Champion joined Szlufcik in the second bike
lap, while Paolo Riva/ITA could move up to place 3. Kallabis, who rode his
bike just with his running flats on (no clips, no adapter) had an
incredible race and finished the demanding bike leg in 7th position !

Szlufcik and Lang left the second transition together and a fierce duel for
the win unfolded. 1 minute 30 seconds down, Riva started the last leg.
Szlufcik, who was already so close to a win last week in Oberstaufen, after
a strong running and bike performance could make it today ! The first win in
a European Winter Triathlon Cup race went on his account, 14 seconds ahead
of Martin Lang and another minute ahead of Riva. Damian Kallabis could
finish 7th.

Next station in the European Winter Triathlon Cup is Donovaly/SVK, February
10 and then the final in Mals/ITA, 11.3. The European Winter Triathlon Championships follow March 18, 2001 in Achensee/AUT.

ETU Cup Ranking after Oberstaufen/GER and Freudenstadt/GER
1/ Martin Lang GER 190pts
2/ Zibi Slufcik GER 180
3/ Paolo Riva ITA 170
4/ Juan Apiluello ESP 120
5/ Mathias Holzner GER 115
6/ Iwan Schuwey SUI 95
7/ Walter Ernst GER 95
8/ Dirk Debertin GER 95
9/ Martin Soliva SUI 75
10/ Benjamin Sonntag GER 70

1/ Sigrid Lang GER 200pts
2/ Gabi Pauli GER 170
3/ Karin Moebes SUI 155
4/ Jindriska Bejstova CZE 110
5/ Marianne Vlasveld NED 90
6/ Iva Siman GER 75
6/ Britta M=FCller GER 75
8/ Angela Huy GER 70
8/ Silvia Vampel GER 70