Mount Bachelor Hosts Winter Triathlon National Championships on Sunday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — It’s not the offseason for everyone. Nearly 80 winter triathletes will compete Sunday at the USA Triathlon Winter Triathlon National Championships in Bend, Ore.

The winter discipline of triathlon consists of running, mountain biking and cross country skiing – all on snow.

The USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship is one of three qualifiers for the Winter Triathlon World Championship in Gaishorn, Austria, in February 2009, with the top three male and female Americans qualifying for Worlds. The other qualifying events are: Battle at Soldier Hollow Winter Tri on January 17 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Gunstock Winter Tri on January 25 in Gilford, N.H. The top two athletes in each age group, rolling down to fourth place, at these events will qualify for worlds.

“Returning to Bend and Mt. Bachelor for the 2009 USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship is extremely exciting,” said Jeff Dyrek, USAT’s director of national events. “After a great experience last year, we look forward to great conditions, support and competition again in 2009.”

The course should again prove challenging. Beginning with the run, the athletes will complete two laps on a 2.5K course before heading up “Screamer,” past the Nordic Lodge and to the far end of the Mt. Bachelor West Village parking lot. Depending on snow conditions, the bike course lap will be 2.5-4K. Athletes will complete three laps for a total distance 8-12K. Organizers are aiming to provide the most rideable surface possible. Athletes will complete the 4K ski loop twice. The skate technique is highly recommended as classic tracks will not be provided. The course descends from the stadium to the middle elevation Nordic trails where the terrain rolls through huge fir and hemlock.

Links

Registration page
USAT Winter Triathlon National Championship website
Winter Nationals website
Find out more about winter triathlon
Battle at Soldier Hollow Winter Tri
Gunstock Winter Tri