An Austrian Gallery: Kienle, Wutti win Challenge Walchsee

Race images from Challenge Walchsee, Austria

Despite all of the (justified) hype of the past weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in South Africa, there was still professional middle distance racing going on elsewhere around the world.

In Austria, the stunning surrounds of Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee also included Sebastian Kienle, a two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion who early this year confirmed that in order to focus on his preparations of the IRONMAN World Championship, he wanted to avoid adding more long-haul flights from Europe to his schedule. After recently winning at Challenge Turku in Finland, the Challenge Walchsee race was a perfect for for him.

Once again we on TRI247 get to benefit from the travels and lens of Photographer José Luis Hourcade (www.joseluishourcade.com), who has certainly clocked up some miles this year while covering many of the most stunning races around Europe.

As with Turku, British interest again at Walchsee where always busy Laura Siddall added another second place to her C.V. (at a race she won last year), while Thomas Davis (who was fourth in Finland), was sixth this week, coming out with the leaders on the swim and then producing the second fastest run of the day too, to make up for a “struggle” on the bike. Thomas was part of two National Championship winning Race Hub teams last week at the Club Relays in Nottingham

Check out some great images from the race below

Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee, Austria – Sunday 3rd September 2018
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – Sebastian Kienle (GER) – 3:48:39
2nd – Frederic Funk (GER) – 3:51:27
3rd – Daniel Bækkegård (DEN) – 3:54:44
4th – Manuel Küng (SUI) – 3:58:00
5th – Niclas Bock (GER) – 3:58:18
6th – Thomas Davis (GBR) – 3:59:38

PRO WOMEN

1st – Eva Wutti (AUT) – 4:18:11
2nd – Laura Siddall (GBR) – 4:20:54
3rd – Margie Santimaria (ITA) – 4:24:07
4th – Lisa Roberts (USA) – 4:27:29
5th – Bianca Steurer (AUT) – 4:28:03