Pragelato-Sestriere, home of the 2006 Olympic Nordic Skiing competition, hosted the Age Group Winter Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships from 23-25 February, with the world’s amateurs bringing their inimitable colour to the Pragelato party in the Italian alps.
In total, nineteen countries had athletes on the start lines over the weekend, Friday’s proceedings beginning with the traditional Parade of Nations on Friday afternoon. World Triathlon Secretary General Antonio F. Arimany and Italian National Federation President Riccardo Giubilei welcomed the athletes along with the Mayor of Pragelato, opening the 24th edition of the Winter World Championships that first took place back in 1997, just 600km away in Mals.
Saturday saw 60 men and 25 women tackle the 6km run/9km ski duathlon course while on Sunday the triathlon course was swarming with 96 men and 37 women scything through the 5km run, 10km mountin bike and 10km ski.
“That was really tough,” said the first Age Grouper across the line, the newly crowned 50-54 AG World Champion Rait Pallo from Estonia. “I was sure those guys were biking and running so fast I didn’t think I could catch them on the skis but I got a little closer with every lap and just knew I had to push as much as possible. This is my first time doing the winter triathlon. I normally do summer but I’m a bad swimmer and I love skiing. It has been a great experience – I’ll be back for sure! We have ten Estonians here and hopefully we’ll get some more medals out there.”
“That was a good race,” said Anais Tardieu of France, the first woman over the line to become the 35-39 AG Winter World Champion. “I was a bit tired from racing yesterday and it’s a tough course but I like that. Congratulations to the organisers for preparing this course, because it has improved so much the past two days. I like the mud and snow, lowering the tyre pressure and going for it. Last year was my first Winter World Championships in Andorra after trying all distances and the cross triathlon, but I wanted to come here with my husband and my coach and race again.”
For the full results, click here.
