Davos will host the CHALLENGE DAVOS Festival for the third consecutive year. During the course of three days, athletes will have the possibility to participate in various endurance events. The highlight of the multi-sport event marks the Saturday, where three different triathlon formats cater to all levels of athletes, putting the Flu¨ela into focus. The main event is the middle-distance triathlon, where in the pro-section last years runner-up Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) will compete against Ruedi Wild (SUI), Horst Reichel und Ruben Zepuntke (both GER). On the womens’ side Radka Kahlefeldt (CZE), Emma Pallant (GBR) und Nina Derron (SUI) will be meeting at the start line. Additionally to the triathlon competitions, a NightRun and the non-competitive bike ride Ride the Alps over the Flu¨ela will complete the festival weekend.
The highlight of the weekend is the CHALLENGE DAVOS Middle Distance Race on Saturday. A Triathlon covering 1,9 km of swimming , 55,4 km of cycling and finishing with a half marathon. The start will be at 10:45 for the professionals, followed by the age groupers at 11:05. The swim will take place in lake Davos. The challenge awaits the athletes on the bike between Davos and Susch (Engadin). 1770 meters of elevation have to be conquered by climbing the Flu¨ela pass from both sides, peaking at 2383 m. The run course will then lead the athletes along the new route through the Matta Forest and the city of Davos.
Who will be the new Champion?
Defending champion of 2017 and 2018, Lena Berlinger unfortunately had to cancel her start due to injury. Co-organiser and winner of 2018, Sven Riederer, has ended his professional career. Therefore, on Saturday, two new champions will be crowned. The men’s favorite is Pieter Heemeryck, who won 2nd place in 2018 and 2017. But also local Ruedi Wild is very well acquainted with the climbs and descents of the Flu¨ela and has proven his form just recently in the Long Distance race in Hamburg, where he came second. Routinier Horst Reichel and Newcomer Ruben Zepuntke (both from Germany) are also strong contenders for the podium.
In the womens field, Radka Kahlefeldt from Czech Republic is frontrunner towards the 1st place. She has already won CHALLENGE KAISERWINKL-WALCHSEE and CHALLENGE PRAGUE this year. Yet, with Emma Pallant from Great Britain, Swiss athlete Nina Derron (2nd place at Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz) and the German Natscha Schmid, Kahlefeldt encounters strong competition. Last but not least, Lucy Hall will be starting, who is a specialist at short distances, winning already European and World Cups.
FEMALE PRO:
Brüstle Karoline GER
Corbova Nikola SVK
Derron Nina SUI
Dornauer Lisa-Maria SUI
Hall Lucy GBR
Kahlefeldt Radka CZE
Kolarova Hana GBR
O'Mara Kelly SUI
Pallant Emma GBR
Priarone Giorgia ITA
Roberts Lisa USA
Schmitt Natascha GER
MALE PRO:
Buckingham Markus GBR
Corti Marco ITA
Ditlev Magnus DEN
Eggeling Marc GER
Eisenlauer Fabian GER
Erhardt Julian GER
Heemeryck Pieter BEL
Kirn Primož SLO
Lau Marius GER
Mainwaring David AUS
Moreno Molins Albert ESP
Pictor Sam GBR
Reichel Horst GER
Schwarz Simon GER
Wild Ruedi SUI
Zepuntke Ruben GER