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The tension is gathering momentum for the triathletes of Challenge Vichy and the Vichy Half Triathlon as they make their way to the beautiful French city of Vichy this week.

The fight to cross the finish line first on Sunday is likely to be tight among the professionals.

Among the men, the 2 favourites are Andrej Vistica from Croatia (winner of Challenge Vichy 2013) and the French Christophe Bastie (3rd at Challenge Vichy 2013). They will be challenged by several candidates to the podium, namely Sylvain Rota (winner of IM Wales 2012), Eneko Elosegui (6th at IM China and UK), José Jeuland (4th at Challenge Vichy 2013 and 4th at IM France) and Jens Kaiser (4th at IM Regensburg).

Among the women, Martina Dogana, winner of the 2012 Challenge Vichy appears to be the favourite and is obviously seeking a second victory in the 2014 edition. Gabriella Zelinka (3rd at Challenge Vichy) and Nicola Woysch (2nd at IM Lanzarote 2010) could  become her fiercest challengers.

This year, over 2,500 participant will take part on the Challenge Vichy Triathlon Festival with events for all ages and abilities. Some of the new developments for 2014 include :

-the new run course through the beautiful centre of Vichy, through the Parc des Sources, past the Opera House and along the banks of the River Allier that were completely refurbished over the winter.

-the new transition area right in front of the Palais du Lac,  even closer than before to the Finish Line .

-a new layout for the Finish Line Area that will look even more spectacular with its huge screen.

-new run course will include the restaurant area where spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy a snack or a full meal while supporting triathletes.

This weekend athletes will compete for the prestigious titles at Challenge Walchsee in the Austrian Tyrol. In the men’s race Michael Raelert and Dirk Bockel will duel for the title, while in the women’s competition Yvonne Van Vlerken will make an attempt to win the race for the fourth time.

As in previous years, the half distance race in the Tyrolean Alps is expected to provide fierce competition between the big names. In the men’s race, in the absence of last year’s winner James Cunnama, Roth 2013 Champion Dirk Bockel and the two-time 70.3 World Champion Michael Raelert will meet. For the younger of the two Raelert brothers the start at the race in Walchsee is the first competition after a protracted knee injury. Raelert, who says that he deliberately took his time to get to a good performance level, is looking forward to the race in the Kaiserwinkl: “Andi won the race in 2012 and he told me of the scenic charm and the special ambiance of the race. That is why I’m really looking forward to this race and to experiencing all of that myself.” 

The man from Rostock will encounter – among others – Dirk Bockel. The winner of the Ironman Melbourne, who is presently recovering from Challenge Roth, can’t wait to compete at Lake Walchsee: “I’ve been impressed by pictures of the race and the scenery for years and when I visited the route I was simply overwhelmed.“ Bockel is also looking forward to the course and the excellent field of starters which include Austrian Michael Weiss, Per Bittner (GER), Massimo Cigana (ITA), Markus Fachbach (GER) and local hero Thomas Steger. 

Yvonne Van Vlerken, like no one else, knows how to win at Lake Walchsee. The exceptional athlete has won in the Kaiserwinkl three times already. And this year she aims to make it four! Two ladies have the potential to get in the way of this. Jenny Schulz, the current long-distance Duathlon ETU European Champion, will do her best to let the incredible series of victories of Van Vlerken come to an end. The demanding course might play into the hands of the former runner. A second German wants to have a say in who’s to win. Daniela Sämmler, who’s just won the middle-distance race at the Chiemsee Triathlon and finished in the top ten at the Challenge Roth.

Challenge Walchsee-Kaiserwinkl takes place on Sunday 31 August – for futher information and live updates please visit www.challenge-walchsee.com.

 Pro Men:

1 Ruedi Wild

2 Hunter Kemper

3 Kevin Collington

4 James Seear

5 Paul Matthews

6 Greg Bennett 

7 Brad Kahlefedt

8 Rodolphe Von Berg

9 Antony Costes 

10 Cameron Dye

11 Matt Chrabot

12 Benjamin Collins

13 Joshua Amberger

14 Wikus Weber

15 Mark Bowstead

16 Domenico Passuello

17 Clayton Fettell

18 Jordan Jones

19 Andreas Dreitz

20 Pieter Heemeryck

21 David Thompson

22 Brooks Cowan

23 Kaleb Van Ort

24 Chris Foster

25 Barrett Brandon

26 Drew Scott

27 Matt Reed

28 Ivan Rana

29 Bevan Docherty

30James Thorp

  Pro Women:                                                                                   

50 Svenja Bazlen 

51 Lauren Goss 

52 Alicia Kaye

53 Radka Vodickova

54 Helle Frederiksen

55 Sara McLarty

56 Catherine Jameson

57 Liz Blatchford

58 Abby Geurink

59 Mary BethEllis

60 Rebecca Wassner

61 Lauren Brandon

62 Ricarda Lisk

63 Jillian Petersen

64 Hallie Blunck

65 Laura Bennett

66 Laurel Wassner

67 Kelly Williamson

68 Jen Spieldenner

69 Liz Baugher

70 Mirinda Carfrae

71 Sarah Crowley

72 Isabelle Gagnon

73 Melissa Hauschildt

74 Sinead O'Dwyer

75 Renate Forstner

76 Lesley Smith

77 Nell Rojas

78 Jodie Swallow

Pro Men:

1 Bretscher Daniel MPRO USA

2 Marsh Brandon MPRO USA

3 Gomes Pedro MPRO PRT

4 Becker Blake MPRO USA

5 Crawford Guy MPRO NZL

6 Gerlach Thomas MPRO USA

7 Woodford Jared MPRO USA

8 Rau Ryan MPRO USA

9 Smith Jason MPRO USA

10 Milam Jared MPRO USA

11 Bachor Konstantin MPRO DEU

12 Bohach Adam MPRO USA

13 Castillo Latorre Andres MPRO COL

14 Dzalaj Karol MPRO SVK

15 Early Nick MPRO USA

16 Eicher Paul MPRO USA

17 Hanson Matt MPRO USA

18 Holderbaum Chad MPRO USA

19 Howard Jeremy MPRO USA

20 Kotland Peter MPRO CZE

21 Bates Ryan MPRO USA

Pro Women:

26 Arendt Jackie WPRO USA

27 Jacobs Jessica WPRO USA

28 Bevilaqua Kate WPRO AUS

30 Clifford Ashley WPRO USA

31 Alvarez Palmira WPRO MEX

32 Schwabenbauer Kim WPRO USA

33 Ritchie Tami WPRO USA

34 Monticeli Ariane WPRO BRA

35 Martin Britta WPRO BZL

36 Kozulina Tamara WPRO UKR

37 Hutchins Andrea WPRO USA

38 Black Ali WPRO USA

39 Homo Malaika WPRO USA

40 Smith Jessica WPRO USA

Aug. 22, 2014 - Will home field advantage be among the deciding factors for the second Valley First Challenge Penticton Canada?  

A field of male pros will be threatening hometown champion Jeff Symond's (Canada) attempt at grabbing back-to-back titles, including Scott Defilippis (United States) who had a strong run time last year to take second place. Adam O'Meara (Canada) who finished fourth male overall is the only other top five 2013 placeholder returning.

Just 40 seconds shy of breaking into the Challenge Penticton top five male finishers in 2013, Nathan Champness (Canada) recently took the men's title in the 32nd Peach Classic Triathlon in Penticton. He is returning to Challenge Penticton along with Chris Bagg, who finished in seventh overall in 2013 and Chris Young who finished in 14th overall.

Penticton professional female triathlete Jenn Annett said her choice to race Challenge again is simple.

"I really think we have a world-class course," said pro triathlete Jenn Annett. "It's amazing. I have trained every inch of it. We really do live in paradise here. I definitely hear other athletes talk about it too. When you are coming down Main Street to the finish with a huge crowd of spectators and have everyone cheering you on, no matter how much you hurt all the pain seems to disappear."

Annett was the top local female finisher for the inaugural 2013 race, coming in third overall for females in her first race as a professional. She will return to the course on Aug. 24 with over 1,000 participants registered from 17 countries.

The field for the women will be just as competitive. Last year's female winner, Carrie Lester (Australia), who posted the fastest marathon for the women and set a course record with a finish time of 9:27:26, is returning. Rounding out a trio of athletes who made for an exciting start to the race are Karen Thibodeau (Canada), the fastest out of the water, and Jennifer Luebke (United States).

"I definitely do my research on those who signed up," Annett said. "Last year Carrie had an amazing performance and she is a very strong athlete. Likewise for Karen, who is an amazing swimmer and always at the front of the pack. I know a few more top athletes have recently signed up and I think it will be a close field. I'm really looking forward to the race and I also think the males will be a great race as well with a lot of fast professionals in it."

Lester proclaimed she is looking for some redemption at Challenge Penticton after succumbing to illness while on the bike portion in a race earlier this month. Meanwhile, Thibodeau had to out-sprint Mackenzie Madison (United States) at a July race to finihs just slightly ahead for second place. It will be the first time Thibodeau has entered full distance races with such a short time period in between.

Male pros: Hometown Twitter

Jeff Symonds Penticton, B.C., Canada @JeffreySymonds

Andrew Russell Victoria, B.C., Canada @akjrussell

Nathan Killam Vancouver, B.C., Canada @nathankillam

Simon Cochrane Auckland, New Zealand @CochraneSimon

Rick Floyd Bend, Oregon, United States @TheRickFloyd

Scott DeFilippis New Jersey, United States @Scottdeflippis

Matthew Sheeks Woodinville, Wash., United States @mattsheekstri

Elmar Heger Calgary, Alta., Canada @ElmarHeger

Nathan Champness Vernon, B.C., Canada @Nateracing

Christopher Bagg Portland, Oregon, United States @chrisbagg

Adam O'Meara Victoria, B.C., Canada @adamomeara

Josh Seifarth Vancouver, B.C., Canada @JoshSeifarth

Sean Bechtel Caledon, Ont., Canada @SeanBechtal

Doug MacLean Boulder, Colorado, United States @DMactri

Chris Young Kelowna, B.C., Canada                                

Matt Lawrence UK

Female pros Hometown Twitter

Jana Candrova Borovony, Czech Republic

Natasha Van Der Merwe Austin, Texas, United States @natashavdm

Jen Annett Penticton, B.C., Canada @annette_jen

Cathleen Knutson Seattle, Washington, United States @CKnutson82

Trish Deim Boise, Idaho, United States @trishdeim

Jennifer Luebke Bend, Oregon, United States @jenluebke

Carrie Lester Sunshine Coast, Australia @Cazzlestar

Christine Fletcher Vancouver, B.C., Canada @Chrisy_

Alyssia Godesky Charlottesville, Virginia, United States @alyssagodesky

Mackenzie Madison Eugene, Oregon, United States 

Karen Thibodeau Canmore, Alta., Canada @Karen_thibodeau

  ABOUT CHALLENGE FAMILY

21 AUGUST 2014 - Challenge Bahrain has announced its pro field to date and confirmed the start line on 6 December will be one of the most impressive ever seen over the half distance.

Hundreds of age group athletes will race along side the biggest names in triathlon on one of the fastest and most diverse course on the international circuit – high-tech architecture, 5,000 year-old culture, F1 racing and indigenous wildlife all make up the unique 113km course.

The battle for the world’s largest prize purse over the half distance of $500,000 has attracted the best of the best in long distance racing, as well as lured some well-known individuals over from short course racing, making their long distance debut.

No less than nine former and current world champions – Pete Jacobs (AUS), Mirinda Carfrae (AUS), Chris McCormack (AUS), Leanda Cave (GBR), Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), Eneko Llanos (ESP), Julie Dibens (GBR), Catriona Morrisson (GBR) - four Olympic medallists including Jan Frodeno (GER), Bevan Docherty (NZL), Lisa Norden (SWE) - and two Commonwealth Games gold medallists including Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) will line up on the shores of Bahrain Bay on 6 December.

World-class athletes making their long course debut include this year’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jodie Stimpson (GBR), current Xterra World Champion Nicky Samuels (NZL) and Olympic bronze medallist Erin Densham (AUS).

“We are honored to host each and every professional triathlete to the Kingdom of Bahrain to participate in Challenge Bahrain, an event we are holding very dear in our hearts,” said Dr Saqer Al Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Triathlon Association. “Having such a great lineup will most certainly bring us closer to our goals, to raise awareness of the importance and significance of having sports become an integral part of a person’s life in all global societies.”

“A field of this calibre is going to ensure Challenge Bahrain is one of the most memorable races of the year – and it’s open to everyone!” said Zibi Szlufcik, Challenge Family CEO. “Age groupers will race along side the greatest and most inspirational athletes in our sport. Triathlon is the only sport on the planet where everyday people like you and me, regardless of ability, can share the course with the world’s best and Challenge Bahrain is the ultimate showcase of what makes this sport great along with its definition of quality leadership and warm welcome to all.”

The professional athletes confirmed to date for Challenge Bahrain are as follows:

Men – Pete Jacobs (AUS), Dirk Bockel (LUX), Sebastian Kienle (GER), Tim Berkel (AUS), Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), Timo Bracht (GER), Tyler Butterfield (USA), Frederik Croneborg (SWE), James Cunnama (RSA), Bevan Docherty (NZL), Tim Don (USA), Michael Dreitz (GER), Jan Frodeno (GER), Nils Frommhold (GER), Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS), Eneko Llanos (ESP), Chris McCormack (AUS), Luke McKenzie (AUS), Dylan McNeice (NZL), Tim O’Donnell (USA), Rasmus Petreaus (DEN), Michael Raelert (GER).

Women – Mirinda Carfrae (AUS), Rachel Joyce (GBR), Caroline Steffen (SUI), Nikki Butterfield (USA), Leanda Cave (GBR), Erin Densham (AUS), Mary Beth Ellis (USA), Helle Frederikson (DEN), Lucy Gossage (GBR), Sarah Haskins (USA), Heather Jackson (USA), Rebekah Keat (AUS), Meredith Kessler (USA), Carrie Lester (AUS), Annabel Luxford (AUS), Michelle Vesterby (DEN), Radka Vodickova (CZE), Laurel Wassner (USA).

Predict podium finishers with TRIFECTA fantasy triathlon game

 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Led by U.S. National Team member and 2012 Olympian Sarah Groff, a team of seven U.S. elite triathletes will compete this Saturday at ITU World Triathlon Stockholm, the penultimate event of the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series.

  Sarah Groff leads the U.S. team into WTS Stockholm this weekend. (Janos Schmidt/ITU)

Races are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, with the elite men set to race at 6:35 a.m. ET. The elite women will follow at 8:40 a.m. ET on the sprint 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run course, which offers the final opportunity for athletes to earn valuable Threadneedle ITU World Triathlon Series Rankings points prior to next weekend's series Grand Final.  

A live webcast of the event will be available on triathlonlive.tv, and the individual races will also be broadcast on Universal Sports Network on Aug. 23 with the broadcast set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET. Additionally, multisport fans can predict the elite podium finishers in the new fantasy triathlon TRIFECTA game, launched this spring by USA Triathlon and ITU. Podium picks must be submitted at trifecta.usatriathlon.org before the first race begins. 

Groff (Hanover, N.H.) has finished in the top five at three World Triathlon Series events this season, including a second-place finish at the London event on May 31. She is currently ranked No. 5 in the world with 2,228 points but looks to improve on that position as she lines up wearing number 2 this Saturday. Lindsey Jerdonek (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) is also on the start list following a 14th-place finish in Hamburg last month, as well as a win at the Geneva European Cup and fifth at the Tiszaujvaros ITU Triathlon World Cup. 

Also racing for the U.S. women will be Katie Hursey (Phoenix, Ariz.), who is coming off a win at last weekend's Kelnowa Pan American Cup and competing in her first WTS race since London; Chelsea Burns (Phoenix, Ariz.), who has three top-10 finishes in ITU Continental Cups this year; and Renee Tomlin (Ocean City, N.J.) making her WTS debut. 

On the men's side, Ben Kanute (Tucson, Ariz.) and Sean Jefferson (Palisades, Calif.) will be racing for the Red, White and Blue. Kanute has two top-five finishes in continental cup events and was a member of the fifth-place U.S. team at the ITU Mixed Relay World Championships last month. Jefferson has been competing on the ITU circuit since 2010 but also makes his WTS debut this Saturday.  

Complete start lists are available on triathlon.org: women | men. International previews of the women's and men's races are also available on triathlon.org. 

Following this weekend's sprint event in Stockholm, athletes will flock to Edmonton, Alberta, for the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and World Championships. World titles will be on the line for elites, age-group athletes, paratriathletes, juniors and under-23 competitors. More information is available at edmonton.triathlon.org.

  ITU World Triathlon Series points now count toward Olympic team selections, with athletes vying for points on behalf of their National Federation that will eventually determine the number of Olympic spots allotted to each country. More information on the 2016 Olympic Games ITU qualification system is available here.

About  USA Triathlon