Swiss Triathlon Federation
Contact Information
Address
Haus des Sports, Talgut-Zentrum 27
Ittigen / Bern
BE
3063
Switzerland
President
Patrick Schmid
Secretary General
Oliver Imfeld
Phone
+41313597280
Fax
41313597289
Latest News
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Nicola Spirig elected Swiss Female Athlete of the Year
On Sunday, Olympic gold medallist Nicola Spirig was elected the Swiss Female Athlete of the Year at the Credit Suisse Sports Awards 2012 by a margin of more than 30%. “You could say that it was the best season of my career so far, particularly the victory in London was of course an unforgettable highlight,” said Spirig. Spirig was given the award based on her incredible winning performance at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The Olympics wasn’t Spirig’s only achievement this year. She also won two ITU World Triathlon Series races in Madrid and in Kitzbüehl and was crowned the European champion in Eilat. Spirig recently married Reto Hug and also announced they are expecting a baby in April. Read more about the Swiss awards here and watch the full video of the ceremony here. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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Switzerland reveals London 2012 Olympic team
Swiss Triathlon has announced the four triathletes selected for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The team will be Nicola Spirig, Daniela Ryf, Sven Riederer and Ruedi Wild. Reigning European champion Spirig leads the Swiss women with success in 2012 including winning the most recent ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) event in Madrid. Since the WTS format debuted in 2009, Spirig has been on the podium on six occasions. This season she has been on fire, finishing second in Mooloolaba, 5th in Sydney, then recording back-to-back victories at the European championships and Madrid. Ryf joins Spirig on the Swiss team and will compete in her second Olympic Games after finishing seventh in Beijing 2008. Ryf was crowned the Under23 world champion in 2008. Hampered by injury for much of last year, Ryf opened her 2012 campaign with a strong 6th place performance in Mooloolaba. Ryf and Spirig will combine to undoubtedly create a powerful force on the bike. Athens 2004 bronze medallist Riederer highlights the men's team and also racked up numerous podium performance since then. He was second at last year's Grand Final in Beijing and also took silver in San Diego last month. Spirig and Riederer compete in their third Olympic Games and both finished in the top ten in London last year on the 2012 Olympic course. The only Olympic rookie on the team is Wild who will compete in his first Olympic Games. Wild was part of both of Switzerland's world championship winning mixed relay teams that won gold in 2009 and 2010. Click here for ITU's Olympic site {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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Dallenbach suspended for two years after anti-doping violation
Anti-Doping Switzerland has announced that the Anti-Doping Switzerland Disciplinary Board has suspended Alexandre Dallenbach, a triathlete from Switzerland, from competition for two years after committing an anti-doping rule violation in an in-competition doping control test. The ban begins 12 July 2011 and prohibits Dallenbach from entering or participating in any competition or activity authorised by ITU, its National Federations (NFs) and/or any other signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code. Dallenbach’s anti-doping rule violation was a result of an adverse analytical finding of testosterone, a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, Section S1 - Anabolic agents (b). As well as the suspension, Dallenbach was ordered to pay legal and associated costs. Dallenbach has 21 days to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Swiss Triathlon distances itself from the use of doping products. Swiss Triathlon athletes are systematically informed and educated on how to behave and risks of doping. ITU is strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport by ensuring athletes are competing on a level-playing field by abiding to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code to help keep triathlon clean. ITU Anti-Doping Rules are written in compliance with the WADA Code. For a National Federation (NF) to be affiliated with ITU, it must abide by the WADA Code and ITU Rules. For more information on ITU Anti-Doping, please click here. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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An interview with Team Switzerland
Switzerland has the honour of being the only country to date to win the 4x Mixed Relay format of the ITU Team Triathlon World Championships, since the discipline changed its format from the three member same-sex format in 2009. However, this year the Swiss will see the biggest challenge to date to their crown, with over 30 nations coming to Lausanne to battle for the world team title. In addition, nations are expected to line up with some of their strongest teams possible, as a stellar field is expected to be on-site for the ITU Sprint Triathlon World Championships the day before. Iwan Schuwey, Swiss National Coach, took some time out to give us his thoughts on the team event and why it is so important to Switzerland to retain its title. ITU: The Swiss team has won the Team Championships for the last two years, why do you think the Swiss team perform so well? Iwan Schuwey (IS): We have a few great world class athletes and a great spirit in our team. These are the perfect ingredients for top performances – especially for team events. ITU: How important is it for you to retain your world title, in front of a home crowd again? IS: It’s very important for us, one of our main goals of the season! Now that the race is also a WCS event, all the big names will be on the start list in Lausanne and the Team Championship will be madly spectacular. Our athletes are very motivated to win the third world champion title – of course with the additional motivation of the home crowd. Q:How important is it for you to retain your world title, in front of a home crowd again? It’s very important for us, one of our main goals of the season! Iwan Schuwey - Swiss National Coach ITU: On the World Cup and WCS, the Swiss are known to have a great team atmosphere and close group. How important is this when it comes to the team championships? IS: For me as coach it’s very important to have a good atmosphere in the team. It helps certainly for a team event, too. Such events are very valuable for a positive team spirit. And if you even win the race and become World Champion, it’s an additional boost for the team and each athlete. And for the staff as well! Quick facts on Swiss Triathlon Team World Championships:2 Total World Champions:3 Elite World Championship Medals:3 U23 World Championship Medals:4 Junior World Championship Medals:6 ITU: Explain the major mental and physical differences for athletes competing in a team event, as opposed to an individual event? IS: You’re not racing for yourself, you’re racing for a TEAM and for the country. That’s very exciting. You’re proud to be in this team. You know that your teammates are giving it absolutely everything, so you’re just doing the same. It’s a 100% all out story, no mistakes are allowed and every second counts. So it’s a mental tough thing because all these components are coming together and you absolutely want to be part of the success story of the team. Physically it’s incredibly hard. It’s just bucketful of lactate … ITU: What are your opinions on the Lausanne course for the race? IS: It’s a wonderful spot, great view with the mountains in the back and the Olympic Museum close by. And the race course is very interesting. It’s great to have a decent hill on the bike, making the races really challenging. ITU: When selecting a team, what factors do you consider? IS: Of course the pure physical component is very important. Then the athlete must have a real desire to be part of the team and he must be able to give it all again and even more just one day after a tough individual competition. Race tactics – such as which athlete you pick to go first, second etc. – are also very important. Did you know the format of team triathlon is? 1st Woman: swim, bike, run 2nd Man: swim, bike, run 3rd Woman: swim, bike, run 4th Man: swim, bike, run Distances:275m swim, 6km bike, 1.5 mk run ITU: What would you think about team triathlon as an Olympic sport? IS: I hope that team triathlon will be Olympic sport in Rio de Janeiro. It’s very spectacular and very fast. For the athletes competing at the Olympics to have a second go, this time with your teammates, is just an unbelievable thing! Triathlon has deserved his place in the Olympic family. The ITU is doing a great job now in order to convince the IOC to give triathlon even more space. ITU: Who do you see as your biggest threats to your world title? IS: Many countries have great athletes and many teams can be on the podium. Favourites (of course with Team SUI!) are Australia, Great Britain, France, Germany, Canada, New Zealand … ITU: One word to describe team racing? IS: Spectacular!!! ITU: Outside of triathlon, what are your favourite sports teams? IS: I’m much more a fan of individual sport then team sport. So I don’t have favourite sports team ITU: If you could make an ideal team of all athletes who ever raced, what would it be? IS: What a difficult question. But it would be very interesting having great and very fast athletes from the past, let’s say a team with Emma Carney - Simon Lessing - Carol Montgomery and Brad Beven racing against our best athletes in the field now. The Swiss team who took the 2009 title in Des Moines, USA. The Swiss team who then went on to defend their title on their home turf of Lausanne, Switzerland. Swiss National Coach - Iwan Schuwey {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}
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ITU Team World Championships - the contenders
The 2011 ITU Team Triathlon World Championships are quickly gaining momentum with only 100 days left until the competition kicks off in the beautiful Olympic city of Lausanne, Switzerland. It looks as if it will be a packed start line with over 30 different nations having stated they will send teams to the event. The discipline’s Olympic ambitions are getting a boost with the event being broadcast live on TV across the world. A hugely competitive field is expected in Lausanne, as the ITU Triathlon World Sprint Championships will be held the day before the team event. This race will carry points towards the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series, and so the best of the best are expected to make the trip to Lausanne for the two-day race combination. This could make for some of the most exhilarating racing we have ever seen, as nations will have the opportunity to pit their superstars against each other, in one of the most exciting formats the sport has to offer. Q:How important is it for you to retain your world title, in front of a home crowd again? It’s very important for us, one of our main goals of the season! Iwan Schuwey - Swiss National Coach While each nation is free to choose the make-up of their team, there are some mouth-watering prospects in store. Team Switzerland are the reigning champions and could be forgiven for not altering the line up of Daniela Ryf, Ruedi Wild, Nicola Spirig and Sven Riederer who took the title in such style last year. On a short but hilly course, the Swiss team seems to have a perfect combination of speed and strength. This year however, the competition is expected to be substantially tougher and depending on athlete availability, fitness, and team tactics we could see some dream combinations. How exciting is the prospect of an Australian team comprised of Emma Snowsill, Emma Moffatt, Courtney Atkinson and Brad Kahlefeldt? With Brendan Sexton showing some great form at the Monterrey ITU Triathlon World Cup, this adds more depth to the team. The shorter distances also open up options for the Aussie selectors with the likes of Emma Jackson, Felicity Abram and Ashleigh Gentle. The Australian "dream team" who were beaten by Switzerland in 2009. A New Zealand team with Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Andrea Hewitt and Debbie Tanner could pack some punch. Add to the mix the options of Kate Mcllroy, Tony Dodds, Nicky Samuels and Ryan Sissons and there’s a strong mix of speed and experience. A Canadian team with Simon Whitfield and Paula Findlay would excite international and North American fans alike. What nation wouldn’t be intimidated at the prospect of seeing the Brownlee Brothers compete alongside the likes of Helen Jenkins, Vicky Holland or Hollie Avil? There will be tough decisions facing selectors in choosing their teams. Take the British team for example – how to choose from a talented pool of men such as the Brownlees, Tim Don, Will Clarke and Stuart Hayes. The Russian team would have to think long and hard about their men’s selection with Brukhankov, Polyansky, Turbayivskyy and Meshcheryakov all to choose from. Equally the Japanese selectors might have a hard time choosing between Adachi, Sakimoto, Ueda and Youth Olympic Games gold medallist Yuka Sato. The story is repeated for the German team who would have to debate long and hard if all their athletes were fit and available. Who to choose on any given day from Jan Frodeno, Steffen Justus and Maik Petzold if all are fit and healthy? Add some of the up and coming German woman to this team, such as recent Monterrey bronze medallist Anne Haug and talented Rebecca Robisch, and there’s a formidable team there also. Spain could see speedsters Javier Gomez and Mario Mola line up together. Gomez recently stated that in his opinion Mola has the potential to be faster than him. That’s a scary prospect to behold. However, the Spanish team might struggle to find two women to match the level of their men’s side with only Ainhoa Murua performing consistently on a high level last year. "The ITU team concept is great and now that they have been formalised Australia will take it very seriously and look to win. Australia has always been a firm supporter of the Team racing concept as it is something Australian sport has been built on. " Michael Flynn - Australian National Performance Director The French team will always be a threat and claimed the silver medal in last year’s competition. Also the USA’s line up will be interesting now that the Sprint race carries Series points. Strong swim-bikers such as Sarah Haskins, Laura Bennett and Sarah Groff might be able to make enough distance on the bike to bring in an advantage on the run. Matt Charbot could also be suited to the hilly bike course, while Jarrod Shoemaker’s speed on the run could be his advantage. However, national selectors may also be considering other factors when they choose their line ups. The team event is different both physically and mentally. The distances are much shorter than Olympic distance so the selectors will be looking for the best sprinters - athletes who have proven their ability to perform at these distances. This is potentially good news for some of the younger athletes. However, with such short distances any mishaps or mistakes are severely punished. Compound this with the pressure of competing in a team environment and the expectations of your teammates and it can quickly take its toll on inexperienced athletes. Experience and composure will be vital, as one poor transition, or missed break could cost a team dearly. Did you know the format of team triathlon is? 1st Woman: swim, bike, run 2nd Man: swim, bike, run 3rd Woman: swim, bike, run 4th Man: swim, bike, run Distances:275m swim, 6km bike, 1.5 mk run To date, teams from every continent have put their names forward for the competition, aiming to take the title away from Switzerland. In fact the size of the transition area could be the limiting factor in determining how many teams a nation can enter. In the past, nations have been able to send multiple teams, but with the added popularity of the event, space is becoming a factor in considering how to accommodate the potential number of teams which want to enter. The official team format adopted for the ITU Team Triathlon World Championships is the 4 x mixed relay. Each team is composed of two men and two women. Each athlete completes a super-sprint triathlon of swimming, biking and running, before tagging off to their next teammate. The distances for the 2011 ITU Team Triathlon Championships in Lausanne event are 4 x (275m swim, 6km bike, and 1.5km run). The order of the team members are fixed, with first and third team members being women and the second and fourth are the men. Each nation is free to decide the make-up of its team. {/exp:tagstripper:tagsToSave}