ETU Winter Triathlon Cup Final
Sunday, March 11. Italy
8.5k run, 12.5k bike, 10k ski

Mals/ITA: the small venue in South Tyrol, Vintschgau, close to the Austrian
and Swiss borders, is host of the European Winter Triathlon Cup final since
the very beginning of this cup series, and could celebrate this 5th
anniversary with a high class race under marvellous conditions.
The very demanding courses led the athletes from Schluderns via Malles up to
the cross-country skiing resort in Schlinig, with a 8.5km run, 12,5km bike
and a 10 km cross-country skiing leg to manage. The 2001 edition was held
under best winter weather, beautiful sunshine and no wind, and top class
performances of the athletes who proved to be in best shape with the 3 most
important races of the winter season to be staged over this and the coming
weekends (European Cup final, European Championships next weekend, then
World Championships)

As usual, the fastest runners in the men's field were Juan Apiluello from
Spain and Nicolas Lebrun, the reigning Winter Triathlon World Champion from
France. A bit a surprise was the 3rd place after the run for Walter
Ernst/GER. Zibi Slufcik/GER, Alessandro Degasperi/ITA and Paolo Riva/ITA
followed next. Riva's 6th place was another positive sign for his improving
shape, as the run is not his strongest discipline. Martin Lang/GER, the cup
leader, changed as 15th onto the bike. The second leg, truly difficult, with
a difference in altitude of 750m for the 12.5km, saw Lebrun brake away, to
put more than 2'30 between him and Apiluello, who left the 2nd transition
as second. Riva was already in 3rd, Ernst in 4th position. Lang improved his
position, to start the cross country skiing leg at 7th.  Lebrun was never
challenged on the last leg, and could score a convincing win, ahead of Paolo
Riva, who could take the overall European Winter Triathlon Cup for the 4th
time ! Zibi Slufcik took bronze in the event, ahead of Apiluello. Lang's 6th
place meant silver in the ETU Cup ranking. Mals is always my fate. . .

The women's race had less drama, as Sigrid Lang proved to be again too
strong for anyone. She dominated the run, where she was ahead of Karin
Moebes/SUI, the reigning Winter Triathlon World Champion, and Marianne
Vlasveld/NED. Moebes started quite slowly into the winter season, and always
underlined that her most important races would be European Cup
final/European Championships/World Championships. Her concept seems to pay
off now ! Vlasveld had a similar plan, also forced by a long lasting foot
injury. Also she seems to be on the right track for the next 2 highlights to
come. On the bike, Lang and Moebes could gain valuable time, and stormed a 2
minutes ahead of Vlasveld into the second transition. The order did not
change anymore until the finish line. Lang took another gold, and the ETU
Cup crown with the maximum of points, ahead of Moebes,  who scored silver in
the race and moved up into the second position in the overall cup ranking.
Vlasveld scored a third place.

The tour now moves to Achensee/AUT, to determine the European Champions in
winter triathlon (18.3.). One week later, the World Championships are staged
in Lenzerheide/SUI.

Main results of the European Winter Triathlon Cup Final Mals/ITA:

1 Nicolas Lebrun FRA 1:38:39
2 Paolo Riva ITA 1:40:41
3 Zibi Slufcik GER 1:42:38
4 Juan Apiluello ESP 1:43:37
5 Walter Ernst GER 1:44:20
6 Martin Lang GER 1:44:34
7 Mathias Holzner GER 1:44:54
8 Alessandro Degasperi ITA 1:46:03
9 Anton Steiner ITA 1:46:06
10 Iwan Schuwey SUI 1:46:46

1 Sigrid Lang GER 1:59:45
2 Karin Moebes SUI 2:00:10
3 Marianne Vlasveld NED 2:04:10
4 Gabi Pauli          GER     2:11:40
5 Karin Bliemhuber         GER     2:13:42
6 Martina Dogana          ITA      2:14:51
7 Angela Huy          GER    2:17:04
8 Barbara Folie          ITA      2:19:28
9 Jindirska Bejstova         CZE    2:24:32
10 Cristina Cominardi            ITA      2:25:43

Final ranking in the ETU Winter Triathlon Cup:
1 Paolo Riva  ITA 395
2 Martin Lang  GER 380
3 Juan Apiluello ESP 310
4 Zibi Slufcik  GER 300
5 Iwan Schuwey SUI 235
6  Mathias Holzner GER 195
7 Benjamin Sonntag GER 170

1 Sigrid Lang  GER 450
2 Karin Moebes  SUI 380
3 Gabi Pauli  GER 360
4 Jindriska Bejstova  CZE 250
5 Marianne Vlasveld  NED 210
6 Karin Bliemhuber  GER  175
7 Angela Huy  GER 145