Note: Christian Wenk is from Switzerland. In 1999 and 2000 he rose through the ranks to become one of the top ranked duathletes in the world. In September a car accident left his paralysed. However, he hasn't missed a beat, becoming president of the Zofingen Triathlon Club, and now he is organizing a new prize money duathlon in Zofingen on May 19^th and 20^th.

Dear friends, dear members of the International Duathlon Family!

After a very uncommon personal Duathlon season 2000 with great training camps, very creative sessions with Shaun, good results (Swiss Cup Win, Swiss Champion...), a horrible accident in Japan causing a complete paralysis down from my shoulders, lots of tears when following the last and for me most important races in France, Gran Canaria and South Africa... I never forgot my family spread all over the world, friends cycling and running with passion and friends I could never forget after all those emotional moments we experienced together.

This was one of the main reasons and main motivations for me to fight back out from the hospital bed to a possible new maybe fulfilled life in a wheel chair. Already in November I decided to stay part of the family, and so I became president of my Triathlon Club in Zofingen, always in mind to go for our sport and give something back from all that I got in the past couple of years. This is now the opportunity, earlier than expected, but nevertheless.

In December I thought of making plans for a big Duathlon party - I couldn't wait. After the Powerman final race in Zofingen was postponed to autumn, September actually, I overtook the old Powerman weekend of end of May and started with the realization of my project called Intervall-Duathlon Zofingen: A 4k-16k-4k-16k-4k race, non drafting, run flat, cycling hilly, 12'000sFr. prize money, lot's of attractions, Zofingen, possibility of homestay, for athletes coming from far also other interesting Duathlons like the one in Lausanne one week or Olten two weeks later (winner 2000: Benny van Steelant, prize money 10'000 sFr.), opportunity of a transition training for long distance athletes and triathletes, time to come together, meet the family... arguments to be here!

My greatest wish is to establish a big Duathlon meeting in the coming years for and with friends. Come together Mai 19^th/20^th, be part of it! I look forward to see you again!

With my best wishes for a positive mind and successful future!

Christian Wenk

Mail me for further informations: christianwenk@hotmail.com