The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced that the 2016 ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships have been awarded to Zeltweg, Austria, and will be held on 12-14 February 2016.
“Triathlon Austria has a long history of organizing phenomenal races on every level, from the World Triathlon Series to European Championships to Multisport World Championships,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.
“With the Austrian National Federation serving as the local organizing committee, I have no doubt this will be one of the best Winter Triathlon World Championships we’ve had yet.”
This is the second time Austria has welcomed the ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships to its soil, with the last time being in 2009 in Gaishorn. A sport that sees athletes run, mountain bike on snow and cross country ski, Austria boasts a strong winning history in the sport, with three world titles having gone to Austrian athletes.
In addition to the Elite World Championship, Zeltweg will welcome Under23, Junior and Age Group athletes to vie for a chance at becoming the next World Champion in their respective divisions.
Event organizers have proposed a three-lap 7.2K run, three-lap 12K bike, and three-lap 9.6K ski course for the Elite, U23 and Age Group competitors. Junior and Paratriathlon athletes will compete on much the same course, with the run course modified slightly to allow for the athletes to compete over a shorter distance.
In the Mixed Team Relay each relay member will contest a 0.8K run, 3K and 1.6K ski before tagging off to their teammate.
A five-time host of the ITU World Triathlon Series, as well as the 2014 ETU European Championships, the Austrian city of Kitzbuhel will return to the ITU calendar in 2016 as a World Cup event, helping to make Austria a hotspot for triathlon action next year.
