The Winter Triathlon series enters the crucial phase of the Championships, beginning with the Winter European Cup in Oberstaufen this weekend.

With three races in a fortnight, this is where rankings points will be more important than ever, and this race in Germany is a pre-cursor to the European Championships in Valsesia next week.

Last year in Oberstaufen, Daniel Antonioli celebrated a European Cup victory but there was much to celebrate for the home fans with Michael Gohner and Florian Holzinger claiming the remaining podium places in the Men's Elite race.

In the Women's Elite race, an entirely German field was won by Ellen Stockheimer and she is amongst the female start list once again.

This is Oberstaufen's 4th International Triathlon race and it hosted the ITU World Championships in 2003.

Along with hosting the German National Championships, there have been 13 Winter Triathlon competitions at this famous venue in Southern Germany.

RACE INFO:

Sunday, 26th February 2012. 12pm (local time)

COURSE DETAILS:

Run 6km (2 laps) / Bike 12km (4 laps) / Ski 8km (4 laps)