Pro triathlete, Sebastian Kienle – recent winner of Challenge Roth 2018 and an IRONMAN World Championship contender in Kona, Hawai’i, this year – has confirmed that he will race Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee 2018. The event takes place in the Austrian Alps on 2 September 2018.
“Sebastian is one of the icons of our sport and having him choose Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee, showcases the excellent quality of this race,” said Challenge Family CEO Zibi Szlufcik.
A release from Challenge Family notes that Kienle’s decision to start at Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee was likely to have been influenced by his current leading position in the Challenge Family World Bonus. After his win at Challenge Roth (500 points), his win at Challenge Heilbronn (250 points) and his second place at Challenge Family’s The Championship (300 points), he has 1050 points in total and an opportunity to win the end-of-season US$30,000 dollar bonus.
“Of course, it would be very foolish not to try to win this because I have to do another middle distance before I leave for Kona anyway,” said Kienle.
Kienle has decided that Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee is the best opportunity for him to combine a ‘great race’ as well as earning as many points as possible. “I definitely want to start a high quality Challenge Family race,” he said. “I have driven through Walchsee several times by car, and every time I’ve thought that this race must be really nice. This time I will not be driving through but instead Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee will be my destination; and it will be my last form test before leaving for the USA. I’m looking forward to the great course and to the Kaiserschmarrn Party.”
Challenge Family’s Zibi Szlufcik added, “It shows the world class set-up of this race and the quality of the team. We are excited to see Sebastian, freshly crowned ‘King of Challenge Roth’, battling strong competition and course records at this challenging venue. At Challenge Family we are all about the athlete and our focus and determination towards pro athletes is also reflected in his decision.”
Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee Race Director Ilona Klingler said “With Sebastian, we are very proud to welcome yet another world class triathlete to our race. Our technical and challenging bike course is definitely in his favour and we are already curious about when we can expect him to cross the finish line. Sebastian is of course full confidence after his Challenge Family wins at Heilbronn and Roth and he will use every opportunity to beat his opponents. In his current shape, Kienle is definitely is one of the biggest favourites for the win.”
