ITU Triathlon World Cup 2017 - Karlovy Vary
Publikováno:
2017-09-24 16:59:15
Kategorie:
Races
Tri Fun Fit took part in the Karlovy Vary triathlon weekend, which included the ITU World Cup, which culminated in the triathlon season in the Czech Republic.
The organizers of the race managed all the preparations for the excellent and Elite athletes so they could fully embark on the great challenge that the difficult triathlon track in Karlovy Vary brings. Tri Fun Fit is a Czech-Italian project and we had the great honor to take home two beautiful second places in the category of Elite Women Vendula Frintová (CZE) and Elite Men Alessandro Fabian (IT). Karlovy Vary and the surrounding area had the opportunity to welcome the true elite of the triathlon world. Apart from professional athletes, children's and athletic age groups or not night-run race were also included. It was a weekend full of fun and sport!
We will now leave the word to Vladimír Malý - the founder and organizer of the triathlon weekend of City Triathlon Karlovy Vary:
,,CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary, after twelve years, the Czech Championship and nine European Cups, have risen among the world's elite World Cup races. It was a very demanding year, during which we had to secure the financing of the project, but the organizational difficulty for our new standards was deepened. The organizing team managed everything excellently, and the World Triathlon Association was satisfied with the work done. We are now waiting for their report, which will be the basis for deciding whether our World Cup title will be granted to us in 2018. We’’ find out the results in mid September. (We would to like to invite you to the ITU Triathlon World Cup in Karlovy Vary - Czech Rep. on September 1-2, 2018. Confirmed in the 2018 official ITU calendar!)
But the whole weekend was not just about professionals, we had all the target groups involved. The whole triathlon festival began with the Czech Champion of Juniors races and the non-competitive family run with the CITY NIGHT Run. On Saturday, our multisport could test small children aged 2-12. Saturday afternoon included amateur triathletes, adolescents and juniors who could try their hand at half the distance of the World Cup route.
Both Saturday and Sunday were marked by unfavorable weather - cold and rainy weather, which was reflected in the racing and spectator participation. Thanks to better weather, Sunday events, among other things, were broadcast live by Czech TV cameras capturing Vendula Frintová's Czech sporting success and high audience participation.''
Now let's talk to our champions:
VENDULA FRINTOVÁ (CZE), Czech champion of women, second among women Elite in Karlovy Vary, participated in several Olympiads, athletes with excellent results in the European and world triathlon.
How did you enjoy the race and what does your placement mean to you?
The Karlovy Vary race has a long tradition and I competed here for the first time in 2003. It was great to be here on the podium of the World Cup winners. There are very difficult tracks to test every competitor. The race is always challenging and this year's conditions have been made even more difficult by the relatively cold weather.
How would you rate the entire sports weekend and historically the first ITU race? What does the Czech triathlon mean from your point of view?
The whole weekend was organized so well. As I have already mentioned, the organizers have many years of experience, and even with the organization of the first World Cup they did not have the slightest problem, everything was excellent. For the Czech triathlon, it is definitely a big step toward the world stage, as foreign competitors have been highly praised for the action, the track, and the atmosphere.
Would you recommend a triathlon weekend and age group to competitors? It is said to be a very difficult track.
In Karlovy Vary, age group competitors have the unique opportunity to compete on identical tracks with elite triathlets, which is exceptionally rare in the world. I would definitely recommend them for the whole family, as the children can also participate in the Baby duathlon and a whole series of accompanying cultural events such as the Festival of Light this year.
Now we are going to interview the triathlete ALESSANDRO FABIAN (IT), the holder of the colors of the Italian national team, who participated in his career in two Olympiads and in Karlovy Vary ranks second in the Elite men category.
How would you define the course of the ITU World Cup race in Karlovy Vary? Is the track of this race really as difficult as they say?
The race was quite difficult and very technical... especially in the cycling section, where the ability to ride and control a bike, and the true test of physical fitness is proven. It's definitely a race where you cannot improvise, but you need to prepare for it consistently in all aspects.
What does this year's result mean for you in Karlovy Vary?
The result is the fruit of a very specific period in my life, not even for this second place in the Elite category, although first place would’ve been great, but also because of the path I am just passing through. Sometimes you get into something new, something you’re not familiar with, but then you get signals that reassure you and show you that you’re going in the right direction! My podium in Karlovy Vary is a confirmation that my decision lead me to my goal.
Would you recommend race age group athletes?
Certainly! It is a technically challenging track, but also fascinating and placed in a very pleasant and beautiful environment.
Another exceptional hostel was Filip Ospalý, a big triathlon champion who has taken part in several Olympiads and whose sports biography is a big success. He’s one of the few athletes in the world who closed the IM under 8 hours. He has just left the professional triathlon life, but he is still present at the most important events, in this case in Karlovy Vary, where he has been ranked several times in the past. This year he participated with his team ‘Here to Win’ in the relay race, where he raced alone twice in swimming and running and he and his colleague got a nice second place.
Filip, what would you tell us about this race? And how many times have you won here in Karlovy Vary?
''The track of the race is beautiful and demanding, whether it was in the past. How many times have I won? I began in the junior category and placed with irregular results: everything from victory to DNF ... Of course the winners of ME 2001 and 2nd place of the 2003 ME are the best and unforgettable, then the Czech Championship, when I was losing 2,5 minutes after two first athletes or EP, which was completed with victory ... I’d say a total of about five times. ''
It was a beautiful, emotional, sport-filled weekend; that’s how we’d would describe the City Triathlon in Karlovy Vary. A true celebration of sports, triathlon and world champions who performed great feats. Great admiration belongs to us, the race organizers, and all the athletes.
The Tri Fun Fit team participated in the expo race and donated several prizes to athletes from their very specific branded products.
Will we see you at the next edition of the race?
We won’t miss it!
Be Tri, have Fun, be Fit!
Martina Frascona’ Sochůrková
