The slowtwitch list: Inferno Triathlon
Written by: Herbert Krabel
Date: Tue Nov 11 2008
Some people seem to be content to race the same races over and over again, but others are constantly looking for new challenges and unique events. Our new series "the slowtwitch list" will introduce you to unique multi sport events from around the world. Hopefully this will inspire you to think outside the box, and your spouses may appreciate it also if they can experience different cultures and places.
We start our series with a closer look at the Inferno Triathlon in Switzerland.
Located in a very spectacular area of Switzerland called the Bernese Oberland, this event is considered one of the toughest triathlons in the world. It features about 5,500 meters (18,800 feet) of elevation gain on a 155.1km (96.3 mile) run-bike-swim course, and the 2008 champion Olaf Sabatschus recently admitted something most people thought they would never hear from Olaf. "It was so steep in the final climb (of the mountain bike section) that I had to walk first time ever in a race!" That certainly says something about the toughness of the course. Unlike most other triathlons, the Inferno Triathlon actually has 3 transition areas:
- swim to road bike
- road bike to mountain bike
- mountain bike to run
The final run is also very challenging and finishes at the Piz Gloria station, a cable car station made famous in the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
What's not to love?
Location:
Thun, Switzerland (swim start)
Date:
August 21-22, 2008
Start time:
6:30am
Field limit:
250
Entry fee:
Euro 285 / 420 Swiss Franks
We start our series with a closer look at the Inferno Triathlon in Switzerland.
Located in a very spectacular area of Switzerland called the Bernese Oberland, this event is considered one of the toughest triathlons in the world. It features about 5,500 meters (18,800 feet) of elevation gain on a 155.1km (96.3 mile) run-bike-swim course, and the 2008 champion Olaf Sabatschus recently admitted something most people thought they would never hear from Olaf. "It was so steep in the final climb (of the mountain bike section) that I had to walk first time ever in a race!" That certainly says something about the toughness of the course. Unlike most other triathlons, the Inferno Triathlon actually has 3 transition areas:
- swim to road bike
- road bike to mountain bike
- mountain bike to run
The final run is also very challenging and finishes at the Piz Gloria station, a cable car station made famous in the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
What's not to love?
Location:
Thun, Switzerland (swim start)
Date:
August 21-22, 2008
Start time:
6:30am
Field limit:
250
Entry fee:
Euro 285 / 420 Swiss Franks
The event:
The swim:
Thun Oberhofen, 3.1 km (1.9 mile) distance
Bike segment 1 (road bike):
Oberhofen Grindelwald, 97 km (60 mile) distance and 2,145 meter (7,037 feet) of elevation gain
Bike segment 2 (mountain bike):
Grindelwald Stechelberg, 30 km (18.6 mile) distance and 1,180 meter (3,871 feet) of elevation gain
The run:
Stechelberg Schilthorn, 25 km (15.5 mile) distance and 2,175 meter (7,137 feet) of elevation gain
Schedule:
Friday, August 21, 2009
Noon 5pm: check-in at the various transition areas
6pm: Athlete briefing in Mόrren
Saturday, August 22, 2009
6.30am: swim start
8:30pm: course closes
Event website:
inferno.ch
The swim:
Thun Oberhofen, 3.1 km (1.9 mile) distance
Bike segment 1 (road bike):
Oberhofen Grindelwald, 97 km (60 mile) distance and 2,145 meter (7,037 feet) of elevation gain
Bike segment 2 (mountain bike):
Grindelwald Stechelberg, 30 km (18.6 mile) distance and 1,180 meter (3,871 feet) of elevation gain
The run:
Stechelberg Schilthorn, 25 km (15.5 mile) distance and 2,175 meter (7,137 feet) of elevation gain
Schedule:
Friday, August 21, 2009
Noon 5pm: check-in at the various transition areas
6pm: Athlete briefing in Mόrren
Saturday, August 22, 2009
6.30am: swim start
8:30pm: course closes
Event website:
inferno.ch
Articles related to this one
Racing hard - Olaf Sabatschus
Olaf Sabatschus has 3 Ironman titles and endless other podium placings on his resume and he just recently won the Inferno Triathon in Switzerland. He talked to Slowtwitch about racing, training, rules, drugs and a few other interesting subjects. 9.01.08
Olaf Sabatschus has 3 Ironman titles and endless other podium placings on his resume and he just recently won the Inferno Triathon in Switzerland. He talked to Slowtwitch about racing, training, rules, drugs and a few other interesting subjects. 9.01.08
Island To Island - The toughest one-day-race in Sweden!
Jonas Colting reports from the unique Island to Island event in Stockholm, Sweden. Teams of two cross the Archipelago area of 20 islands and the water in between them. 9.15.08
Jonas Colting reports from the unique Island to Island event in Stockholm, Sweden. Teams of two cross the Archipelago area of 20 islands and the water in between them. 9.15.08
Florida gets the last word
Drafting in Florida. Say it isn't so! Florida gets a bad rap for the drafting at events in this, America's flattest state. And it's got a thing or two to say in its own defense. 11.07.07
Drafting in Florida. Say it isn't so! Florida gets a bad rap for the drafting at events in this, America's flattest state. And it's got a thing or two to say in its own defense. 11.07.07
Independent Iron Distance Races Flourish in Canada
Slowtwitcher Devashish Paul discusses the state of long distance triathlon events in Canada. 9.29.07
Slowtwitcher Devashish Paul discusses the state of long distance triathlon events in Canada. 9.29.07
