The world triathlon elite heading for Karlovy Vary again
The best world triathletes shall head for Karlovy Vary where the third ITU World Cup will take place. On the startlist there are competitors from 39 countries with whom five Czech national team members will be fighting for medals and ranking. CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary, held on August 23-25, will be a sport event. For children, hobby triathletes, professionals and a cultural programme with a concert of the Hamleti band.
For the third time in a row, the magnificent spa centre will become a world triathlon hub. On August 23-25, it will be hosting the ITU World Cup, the absolute highlight of the busy schedule of the CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary. Among competitors who registered for the race, there are triathlon stars to be found again!
„When looking at the start list, it is clear that races will be great! We are glad to welcome back triathletes who showed excellent performances in Karlovy Vary in the past but also brand new triathlon names who are an integral part of the world elite. We are curious to see how they can fight tough opponents and this demanding race course,“ says Vladimír Malý, LOC race director.
Will Vendula Frintová defend the title?
Vendula Frintová, who will attempt to defend her last year´s victory, is the biggest candidate for medals in the start field. The most successful Czech triathlete from the long-term perspective has a virtually certain start at the Tokyo Olympics and it is very probable that local fans in Karlovy Vary will have the last chance to see her compete before her fourth Olympic Games.
Competing with the world triathlon elite will also be Petra Kuříková. Last year the race developed really well at the beginning. However, after a fall on the cycling course she did not finish. She has proven her top shape by winning the silver medal at the European Sprint Championship. The third, young and very talented Czech triathlete in the race is called Iveta Fairaislová.
Among other stelar competitors there will be British triathlete Beth Potter, the reigning European champion. American Chelsea Burns, who has already won several medals in previous world cups, will also be one of potential winners. Her teammate Tamara Gorman, who regularly comes in the top three in the world cups, will also be fighting for her best result here. Among the stars of the race in Karlovy Vary we can include Hungarian triathlete Zsófia Kovács and the Ukrainian Yuliya Yelistratova, who dominated at the Salinas World Cup concluding the past triathlon season.
A Czech-Slovak triathlon fight to come?
In the male elite race there will be the following Czech triathletes competing: Jan Čelůstka and František Linduška, whose fifth rank in Karlovy Vary last year was his lifetime performance. Returning to the triathlon battlefield are Russian brothers Igor and Dmitry Polyanskiy. The second one will be defending his last year´s victory in Karlovy Vary. The silver medallist Irish Russell White will be present, too. The best Slovak triathlete Richard Varga, who is one of the best triathletes in Europe and one of the best swimmers in the world triathlon field, will be racing here, too. Last year he became the European Sprint champion and in 2017 he won the European Aquathlon Championship. Will he succeed in Karlovy Vary this year?
The triathlete who will try to cross his plans is surely French Simon Viain, who regularly ranks among top ten at the world championships. Daniel Stattef, an Italian competitor, owns a couple of world cup medals, too.
A number of other triathlon stars who are attracted by the beautiful race course have been interested in participating in the Karlovy Vary World Cup, too. It ranks among the most difficult and charming ones in the triathlon calendar. The swim course is in the Rolava Lake, from which triathletes will head for the spa town centre. The second transition area, the finish line and the race hub will be situated directly on the Theatre Square. The organizing team led by Vladimír Malý has a great novelty for all the spectators. He says: „We are going to build a 60-meter long stand on the Theatre Square. Opposite the stand there will be an LED screen broadcasting the whole race.“
An event for the whole family!
CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary is devoted to professionals as well as hobby sportspeople. On Friday, the Czech Pupils´ Cup will be open up the triathlon program. On Saturday morning, children are welcome to the Baby Duathlon. This popular race combines cycling and running and it is designed for the youngest kids. On Saturday afternoon, Age Groups races will start on the distances: 700 m swim, 20 km bike and 5 km run.
Saturday´s agenda will be rounded up by a concert performed by the Hamleti band on the Theatre Square. The band is composed of actors and speakers Dalibor Gondík, Aleš Háma and Jakub Wehrenberg.
Sunday´ World Cup with elite Czech and world triathletes shall be the highlight of the weekend program.
More information about 2019 CITY TRIATHLON Karlovy Vary can be found at:
www.citytriathlon.cz
www.facebook.com/Citytriathlon.cz