Europe Triathlon

No doubts that Nicola Spirig is probably the best athlete in the history of triathlon. She has a super human personal strength that goes beyond the imaginable. She is able to switch from a super sprint distance of last week’s European Championship in Kitzbühel to Middle Distance Championship, with an impressive easiness that shows quite super human qualities. And in a month it’s the Tokyo Olympics and for her is the third time in the Games. An example of family life and athlete that is to be followed by all the people who think that doing one thing is already too much!
The powerful challenge between Spirig and Haug was zeroed since the beginning by her incredible swim, bike and run which gave no space to any whatsoever doubt. She is definitely a number one in terms of performances, powerful mind and capability of reaching any prefixed goal.
In the Elite women Sara Perez Sala (ESP) first from the water had on her heels Nicola Spirig (SUI) who exited T1 and after 300m was already leading the race. Anne Haug was 3 minutes and 17 seconds behind, then Laura Jansen (GER) 3:23, Marta Bernardi (ITA) 3:44 and Gabriela Zelinka 3:48. After 10k Spirig was leading with 27 seconds from Perez Sala and 3:28 from Haug, slightly increasing her leadership from all the contenders. When at 30k she was pushing hard not to have any chances on the run an was increasing distance from the others: 4:11 Haug, 5:16 from Lena Bertlinger (GER). At 40k bike Perez Sala was 2:52,  Haug 5:18 and Bernardi who was gaining over the others 5:34. Bike 70k Spirig had 5:44 from Perez Sala, 5:44 from Haug, while Bernardi and Berlinger were fighting for keeping third place. Spirig reached T2 with a huge advantage: 6:38 from Haug, 6:54 from Perez Sala and 8:59 from Bernardi. Spirig was running for her European Title without problems while behind the other athletes were battling for the last step of the podium. After first lap she still had 6:17 over Haug, 7:49 Perez Sala and Bernardi 9:22. At 11k on the run Haug was 8:03 behind and Berlinger in third 10:40. On lap 3 of the run places started to define and Bernardi with a strong run managed to reach third place which she manages to maintain right to the finish. Nicola Spirig (SUI) finishes with a 5:02 minutes of advantage from Anne Haug (GER) and in third place Marta Bernardi (ITA) 11:53 minutes behind. The Swiss is the European Middle Distance Champion in 3:58:00. Anne Haug (GER) silver in 4:03:03 and Marta Bernardi (ITA) bronze in 4:09:53.

In the Elite Men Frederick Funk (GER) was leading the race after the swim and after 5k on the bike 5 men in 14 seconds were pushing hard on their pedals. After 20k only Molinari (ITA) was trying to keep the hard pace and in third Mann (GER) was already 0:57 behind. At 50k Funk had 0:18 over Zepunkte (GER), 0:57 Molinari and 3:07 over Mann. The fight on the bike in the last 30k was between Funk and team companion Zepunkte. Both reached T2 with 2 seconds from each other and in third 3:17 behind Molinari. However Funk imposed immediately a strong pace and already after 7k Zepunkte was 0:39 behind, while Molinari and Steger (AUT) were fighting for third place, respectively 4:36 and 6:19.  On lap 3 Funk was rapidly going for his victory leaving contender Zepunkte 4:55 and Steger 5:44 behind. Run 20k victory for Funk was on its way, behind 2:42 Steger who did an astonishing run and was going for silver and in third Zepunkte 4:25 for bronze. Frederic Funk (GER) wins and is 2021/European Middle Distance Champion in 3:56:56, silver medal for Thomas Steger (AUT)  in 3:58:51and with an incredible final 3 km on the run Bart Aernouts (BEL) takes bronze and last step on the European Middle Distance Championship in Walchsee in 3:42:05.

Elite Men
Elite Women
All results here