Scheduled for September 15, 2024, in Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See, in South Carinthia, Austria, the sixth edition of the South Carinthian Triathlon (Südkärntner Triathlon) will host the half distance Carinthian Championships (1.9km, 90km, 21.1km).
This year, in addition to the already well-established half distance, there will also be an Olympic distance triathlon (1.5km, 45km, 10km). This aim to welcome new participants with individual and relay options.
The first triathlon in Austria took place in Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See in 1983. So, this year marks the 41st anniversary of the venue as a home of triathlon in Austria.
The town of St Kanzian by Lake Klopein is one of Carinthia′s most popular holiday destinations. The Southern Carinthia region is also a cycling and triathlon friendly destination.
Lake Klopein (Klopeiner See) is near the town of Völkermarkt located within the municipality of Sankt Kanzian in Carinthia, Austria. The South Carinthian half distance triathlon takes athletes along three scenic lakes in the Klopeiner See region: Klopeiner See, Gösselsdorfer See and Turnersee.
The swim start is situated at the beach near Bellevue Alm on the eastern shore of Lake Klopein, which is only 1800m long and 800m wide and is one of the warmest bathing lakes in Europe with a typical 23°C (73°F) water temperature in September and a turquoise-green colour.
The 1.9km swim course features a rolling start (five athletes every five seconds) with a one loop swim. The start times of the swim legs for the half and the Olympic distances are separated. The cycling leg has four laps of 22.4km and 190m altitude gain per lap (the Olympic distance has two laps on the same course) with a view of the imposing Lower Carinthian mountain scenery and Carinthian landscape.
The run has four laps of 5.3km and 43m of altitude per lap (with the Olympic distance having two laps), and with two refreshment stations per lap. Starting from the transition zone near Bellevue Alm the run takes in an ‘all-round lake promenade’ with a view of Lake Klopein.
“As a competitive age-group triathlete myself, my passion together with our small organizing local team is always showing to the world the best of this iconic, pure natural triathlon venue in Austria,” said Race Director Marco Auprich from the organizing team of DG-Tri-Team Gösselsdorf, which works together with the South Carinthia tourism board.
“Based on the experiences of previous years and taking in the athletes’ opinions, there will also be improvements on the organizational side. We are keeping up a top quality, ‘home-feel competition’ and aim to grow organically and sustainably as an environmentally conscious triathlon.
“Many of our athletes are returning every year and we are witnesses to the immense power of word-of-mouth. This is still one of world’s hidden triathlon gems, but definitely a triathlon-friendly destination that is worth a visit.”
St Kanzian Am Klopeiner See is accessible by car and train. The nearest airport is Klagenfurt, 20km away, and Ljubljana airport in Slovenia is 70km away.
www.suedkaerntner-triathlon.at/en
