Despite having worked almost around the clock over the last days, organizers of the 2007 Gaishorn ITU Winter Triathlon World Cup race yesterday came to the realisation that the provision of acceptable conditions on the cross country skiing track would not be possible. With extremely mild temperatures forecast until next weekend, neither the production of artificial snow from a rented snowgun nor bringing in snow from higher areas allowed for the preparation of the skiing track around the Gaishorn lake.
The organizers in consultation with the ITU technical committee have no choice but convert the race in a cross-duathlon. Despite the changed character of the race, the ITU accepted to maintain its World Cup status to encourage the top winter triathletes to compete for World Cup points on 17 February 2007 in the small Austrian town of Gaishorn. Age group athletes will also race a duathon, albeit, due to changed circumstances, benefiting from a reduced registration fee (€ 30 for age groupers, € 20 for junior and youth athletes).

Unfortunately this has been a common occurance this year, no doubt due to global warming. A timely reminder that we must strive to protect our planet.

In addition to those already registered, a number of duathlon athletes eager to test their form before the first spring races can be expected to challenge the world’s best winter triathletes. This should make for exciting racing. Stay tuned to www.triathlon.org for full details.
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