Home favourite Anne Haug is seeking a third straight Challenge Roth title, and could hardly go into the event in better form – but admits there is absolutely no margin for error.
The 2019 IRONMAN World Champion has three wins out of three to her name this season, the latest in what was described as possibly the best women’s middle-distance line-up ever at the PTO European Open in Ibiza.
On that day she ran away from the only two women above her in the PTO world rankings, Ashleigh Gentle and Lucy Charles-Barclay.
‘I would bet the record will go’
And there’s no doubt at all that Sunday’s showdown in Roth is the strongest full-distance start list of the season – all the Kona winners since 2015 are there as Daniela Ryf and Chelsea Sodaro look to take Haug’s crown in Bavaria.
And so too are the likes of Laura Philipp, Fenella Langridge and Lisa Norden.
“I would definitely bet the world record will go,” said Haug. “Everyone has the potential to take it and if we push each other, then I think whoever wins almost has to break it.”
The way the race plays out will be fascinating – Langridge was able to dominate for long periods last year, taking a lead of over five minutes into the run. Uber-biker Ryf appeared to have made even more improvements to her bike speed at 70.3 Switzerland recently while the run speed not just of Haug but Sodaro and Philipp has the potential to make the marathon an absolute thriller.
Game of patience
And Haug feels having such depth of quality brings both added motivation – and some pressure.
“It’s a healthy mixture of the two,” she explained. “You need the competition to get the best out of yourself.
If you are able to win a race like this then the satisfaction is so much higher.
“You can’t be overwhelmed though as you can’t afford a mistake.”
And while hugely respectful of the rivals she will face, she also pointed out: “In many ways the biggest competitor you face in long-distance triathlon is yourself. I want to trust in my strengths – to win, I have to have patience.”
