The new ‘Queen of Zofingen’ retains her crown as the 2008 Olympic Silver medal winner keeps her unbeaten record at the Powerman Zofingen duathlon, while Great Britain’s Age-Group team conquer the Swiss hills en route to podium success
Now in its 28th year, Powerman Zofingen offers one of the toughest and longest running challenges in multisport, courtesy of its 10km run, 150km bike and 30km second run format. All of this includes plenty of hills and lots of off-road running too, in stunning Swiss surroundings around the city of Zofingen.
Playing host once again to the ITU Long Distance Duathlon World Championships, Great Britain’s Emma Pooley returned as the favourite to retain the title she first won two years ago when setting the course record, and she did that in fine style.
Renowned as one of the finest climbers on a bike during her professional cycling career, this course perfectly suits her riding style. Sticking with home athlete Nina Brenn during the opening 10km run, Pooley used her strength during the three lap, 150km bike to open up a huge lead of 16 minutes by the time she reached T2. While she did falter a little during the final stages of the tough closing run, she managed her effort well and was still able to come home with a clear victory margin of 11 minutes and a third consecutive World Championship title; along with a first prize of $6,250.
“To become World Champion for the third time in a row is unbelievable” she said after the race, before looking forward to some “good red wine and some Swiss cheese” to celebrate her success.
There was also further success within the Great Britain Age-Group ranks where the team will return home with six medals. Among the Gold medal winners was Angela Mcgurk (F35-39), who has now won in Zofingen for three consecutive years.
The fastest British Age-Group athletes on the day were Rosie Davies (Gold, F25-29) and Chris Roxburgh (Silver, M30-34). The full list of Great Britain medals is provided below.
Powerman Zofingen will continue to host the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championship for at least the next four years, in an announcement made ahead of the race by the International Triathlon Union.
Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships
Sunday 4th September 2016
10km run / 150km bike / 30km run
Men
1st – Seppe Odeyn (BEL) – 6:23:$3
2nd – Felix Kohler (GER) – 6:28:55
3rd – Soren Bystrup (DEN) – 6:33:48
Women
1st – Emma Pooley (GBR) – 7:06:16
2nd – Nina Brenn (SUI) – 7:17:17
3rd – Susanne Svendsen (DEN) – 7:31:42
Full Results: Visit here
Great Britain Age-Group Team Medals
Gold (3)
Rosie Davies (F25-29)
Angela Mcgurk (F35-39)
Vikki Sivertsen (F50-54)
Silver (1)
Chris Roxburgh (M30-34)
Bronze (2)
Daniel Bailey (M25-29)
Rosemary Todhunter (F55-59)
