The
Jaca Winter Triathlon World Cup (ESP) to start tomorrow
at 10.30 am.
Over
one hundred winter triathletes will start in the third
stage of the ITU Winter Triathlon World Cup in Candanchù.
This ski resort is one of the venues in the bid that
Jaca is making to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Jaca is situated in the Spanish Pyrenees, and is a
favourite ski resort of Spaniards, including King
Juan Carlos.
The
current leader in the women's field, Marianne Vlasveld
of Holland will not be on the line preferring to rest
for the World Championships next week in Brusson,
Italian Alps. Anna Serra from Spain is the sentimental
favourite.
Iwan
Schwey and Christophe Mauch of Switzerland and Marc
Ruhe of Liechtenstein will challenge Benjamin Sonntag
of Germany, the defending champion in the men's competition,
together with local hero Juan Carlos Apilluelo of
Spain in an attempt to consolidate their rankings.
The
young Frenchman, Nicolas Tabarant, one of a famous
dynasty of French athletes will also be someone to
watch. As well, the Llanos brothers, Eneko and Hector,
plus Noel Marcen, members of the Spanish Triathlon
team will be keen to show they are not only excellent
summer triathletes.
The
Winter World Cup rankings will show several changes
before the Worlds in Brusson, Italy next week, 23
February.
Heavy
snow storms during the night deposited a welcome 40cm
of powder snow. The Candanchù resort team will
work overtime to prepare the stadium where the Winter
Triathlon of running, mountain biking and cross-country
skiing will take place.
Photos
and results will be available immediately after the
race on the ITU Website at www.triathlon.org. and
the Spanish Federation website at: www.triatlon.org
This
exciting sport of Winter Triathlon would make a charismatic
addition to the Winter Olympic Games with results
based on winning times for the non-stop multi-sport
competition.
For
more information please contact:
Michel
Gignoux, ITU-Technical Director Europe
T: 33 466 23 1857, F: 33 466 23 2396, GSM: 33 677
12 2005
