On Sunday, May 21, Challenge St Pölten, set in the Austrian countryside, will feature some of the best athletes in the world competing for victory.
In a break from the norm, ‘ladies first’ is the motto on race day when, at 07:00 on May 21, the professional female athletes will jump into the Ratzersdorfer See and open the race. The professional men and the entire age group athlete field will follow 20 minutes later.
The first finish is expected from about 11:00. The race will be streamed live on ORF Sport+ and via a livestream (Facebook with English commentary, TVthek with German commentary) with access via www.challenge-family.live.
According to the organisers… ‘Among the men, the biggest favourite is Sebastian Kienle, but he can count on stiff competition. In the women’s race, the biggest favourite seems to be Australia’s Renee Kiley.
‘In the men’s race, most eyes are on Sebastian Kienle for sure; the German is in his farewell year as a professional athlete, only doing races he has always wanted to do and Challenge St Pölten is high on his list.
‘Victory will certainly not come easily; Kienle can expect heavy opposition from compatriots Nicolas Mann, Nils Frommhold and Ruben Zepuntke. There are several other outsiders at the start, such as Lukas Hollaus, Joao Ferreira and Matthias Hohlrieder among others.
‘In the women’s race, Australia Renee Kiley will be aiming to take her place on the top step of the podium. At forty years old, Kiley has enormous experience and will have to compete against the young, eager athletes Daniela Kleiser and Julie Iemmolo, among others. Other competitors on the start line include Lisa-Maria Dornauer, Sarah Schönfelder and Melanie Baumann.’
