Europe Triathlon

The Romanian Federation and its team of event organisers from Târgu Mureș were satisfied that the test event of the Winter Duathlon had shown that the course was good, that the officials knew their role and that the venue could adequately cope with the big race of the weekend. As the athletes, officials and families went to bed on the Saturday night, the resort of Cheile Grădiştei was covered by a thick layer of fog.

Race morning saw the team adjust the finish area to suit the ski finish and to mark out the course for the athletes in brilliant sunshine. Spectators watched as the athletes checked in and listened to the commentary that explained to them who was racing, what they would do and who might lead the various sections of the race.

The athletes lined up, with the men in front and then the women.

The men started first and then, just a couple of minutes later, the women too were out onto the course and making the first of four laps on the bright, white snow.

Each lap was exactly 1km and we saw a tight group of lead men complete the first lap together.

The main contenders were all there. Italy’s Daniel Antonioli was running in tight formation with Giuseppe Lamastra and the ever dangerous Norwegian, Kristian Monsen. Slovakian athlete Tomáš Jurkovič was looking much more comfortable than home favourite, Ciprian Balanescu who might have been suffering from the exertion of yesterday’s race.

Coming into T1 it was indeed Monsen who had edged into the lead but had not managed to shake off Romania’s biathlete, Viorel Palici who was having a superb run.

They had a slight lead on Antonioli who had time to look over his shoulder as he entered T1 and see Lamastra and Jurkovič just pull ahead of Bogdan Damian.

The 4-lap run course was pretty much pan flat but the bike started with a massive climb of 200m up to a road that ran around the hill, taking the athletes from sunshine into shade and from tough snow to hard and fast icy snow.

The Italians grouped well and pushed the pace with Monsen taking his turn. Jurkovič was riding well and as the 3 laps passed, it was Lamastra who appeared to have taken control.

Behind him Antonioli and Monsen were battling for position and Jurkovič had done enough to break away from the chasing athletes.

As they descended from the hill to the arena and T2, it was Lamastra who had found that extra gear and he came into T2 alone, had enough time to get his skis on and was setting off as Antonioli and Monsen rushed the dismount line. Jurkovič followed just seconds later and the final 3-laps of cross-country skiing would be the decider for the medal placings.

The ski course was a real test and loops around the biathlon stadium were technical, hilly and perfect for our sport.

The Italian coach, Marco Bethaz was cheering on his athletes as they passed the finish area. The spectators cheered on everyone and suddenly they spotted that Palici was storming the course and showing immense power on the skis.

Lamastra had done enough.

He held onto the lead and crossed the finish line to take the title. Behind him Antonioli had done enough to claim silver and it was bronze to Norway and Monsen.

Amongst the women, an early lead was made by Slovakia’s Kristina Lapinová.

She had pulled away on the first lap and kept the pressure up as each lap unfolded. Behind her Šárka Grabmüllerová sat the first lap out in the comfort of the chase group but decided the pace was too slow and broke away for lap two.

Her pace then created a gap between herself and the younger Slovakian athlete, Lydia Drahovska. Two times Winter Olympic athlete, Monika Koncz, the reigning Romanian Winter Triathlon champion came into T1 last but knew that her power out on the bike and ski course would bring her back into contention.

It was a lonely race for Lapinová who, despite being so far in the lead, was able to monitor the chasing athletes as the course twisted and turned around the sun-covered hills of Cheile Grădiştei. She set off on the bike with a 50-second advantage and once out on the bike course pushed hard to build upon her lead. 

Behind her Grabmüllerová, despite the 1200km drive from her home, was second into T1 and once out on the bike course was also working hard to see if she could catch Lapinová.

Drahovska dug deep and knew that if she was in with a chance for a medal she would have to really build and keep away from the threat of Koncz.

Lapinová came into T2 comfortably in the lead and with only three laps of skiing it looked almost certain that she would take the title. The question that we all were asking was, “Can Grabmüllerová hold onto silver?”

Drahovska came into T2 in third place but the moment we saw Koncz set off on the skis it looked pretty sure that she would catch the young Slovak and possibly even Grabmüllerová.

Lapinová had done enough and she eased off the pace in the final 100m to enjoy the cheers from the crowds and to take the first gold medal of the ETU season. Behind her …. A masterclass of skiing from Koncz came too late over the sprint distance and she had to settle for bronze behind Grabmüllerová. A longer course and no doubt her immense power and technique would have taken her closer to the gold.

As the winning athletes made their way back up to the warmth of the athletes’ lounge the crowds applauded them. Yes, Cheile Grădiştei, we like you. Yes, Cheile Grădiştei, this is real Winter Triathlon. Thank you indeed and we hope to come back.