Sebastian Kienle’s career is now complete. The Hawaii-Winner from 2014, two-time half distance world champion and the Frankfurt winner has now added the last triathlon of the “Big 4” to his list. The 33-year old won the DATEV Challenge Roth after a third try. The fact that he almost swam, biked and ran Jan Frodeno’s world best times from 2016, was an extra treat for the unbelievable number of spectators along the 226 kilometer race course.
Time stood still at 7:46:23 hours for Sebastian Kienle in the city garden of Roth. The only athletes that have ever been faster were Jan Frodeno with his world record in 2016 of 7:35:39 hours and Andreas Raelert in 2011 with a time of 7:41:33 hours.
Even more exciting than the men’s race was the development of the race among the women. England’s, Lucy Charles seemed to be following a start to finish win strategy. The 24-year old pounded the Main-Danube-Canal’s 10-year old swim record (she was even faster than the fastest men) and held the competition at a distance along the 180 kilometers of the bike course.
The race was only decided during the last few kilometers. Daniela Saemmler saved herself with nine seconds crossing the finish line in front of Lucy Charles– a half round in the stadium after 3,8 kilometers swim, 180 kilometers bike and 42,195 kilometers run.
A race to go down in history. It was only tighter 14 years ago when the athlete from Darmstadt, Lothar Leder “knocked out” the Australian, Chris McCormack after a final sprint on the finish line.
Daniela Saemmler can not only be happy over a record prize money – a total of 200,000 dollars will be distributed – but also with a bonus for a new German record. In 8:43:42 hours she was a good 3 minutes faster than the previous record holder, Sandra Wallenhorst. With
Lucy Charles (8:43:51 hours), Kaisa Sali (8:46:49 hours), Laura Siddall (8:48:42 hours) and the spectators favorite, Yvonne van Vlerken (8:54:40 hours) another four athletes stayed under the nine-hour-barrier.
MALE PRO:
1 Sebastian Kienle 7:46:23
2 Andreas Dreitz +6:43
3 Jesse Thomas +8:15
4 Joe Skipper +10:34
5 Cam Wurf +11:54
FEMALE PRO:
1 Daniela Sammler 8:43:42
2 Lucy Charles +0:09
3 Sali Kaisa +3:07
4 Laura Siddall +5:00
5 Yvonne van Vlerken +10:58