The region is famous for its handmade watches, and all eyes will certainly be on the clock when athletes take to the clear waters of Lac Brenet for the 1,500m swim. After a few weeks of hot temperatures in Europe, the swim could once again be non-wetsuit, giving a slight advantage to the stronger swimmers in the field.
Up next is one of the most stunning bikes courses in the series, with forests, lakes and fields full of wild strawberries. Athletes may struggle to fully appreciate its beauty when in race mode, however as a fast course will see them attacking from the start as they try to fortify their position over two laps of the 13.5km bike loop.
The 10km run is equally as beautiful, taking athletes around the lake as part of a two-lap course before heading into the finish line. Despite being a flat and fast course, athletes will need to make their way up and over a climb within each loop, which could prove testing on tired legs.
Women’s Race:
Loanne Duvoisin, who won her first XTERRA World Tour major at the XTERRA Czech Republic full-distance race on Saturday, had a big crash in the XTERRA Short Track Czech Republic race on Sunday and is hoping to recover well and be ready to race in her home country of Switzerland. Also of note, Carina Wasle suffered a broken finger last weekend and will be sitting this one out.
Marta Menditto, the XTERRA Short Track Czech Republic race winner on Sunday, is no stranger to the trails in Vallée de Joux and will certainly be one of the favorites.
“I have special memories at XTERRA Switzerland as I won my first big race here to win the Junior Cross Triathlon European Championship," said Menditto. "I like the fast course and I just hope I will recover well from two tough races at XTERRA Czech last weekend."
ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, Eleonora Peroncini (ITA), is also building form and confidence throughout the races and may find herself on the podium.
“After so many months without competition, I completely lost my rhythm, so it is good to get back to racing properly," she said. "If I feel good after a race, I say let’s go for another! There are no expectations, other than to have fun!”
As always, there is everything to play for, and Ségolène Leberon (FRA) and Maud Golsteyn (NED) are hoping for a strong performance. In addition, Swiss local Evelyne Trepte will have extra incentive and motivation going into this race as she also fights for the Swiss Triathlon Cross Championship title.
Men’s Race:
A change in Arthur Serrieres schedule means the athlete will be lining up again at XTERRA Switzerland. “I originally planned to focus on events like XTERRA Czech or XTERRA France, however, on July 16 I will have non-invasive surgery on my heart and knowing that I would need to stop racing for a few weeks in July, I decided one more race would be great, especially after the big volume of training I have done over winter,” said Serrieres, the 2019 XTERRA European Champion who won his third-straight XTERRA Czech Republic full-distance title last weekend.
Maxim Chané has been Europe's fastest swimmer of late, but will have his work cut out to finish for him to finish ahead of Serrieres, perhaps the sports' best trail runner.
With Chané hoping for a strong performance at XTERRA France the week after, the athlete will be training right up to XTERRA Switzerland.
“I was not 100% at XTERRA Czech while XTERRA France will be a big goal for me so I will keep training for this race and rest only after XTERRA Switzerland," said Chane. "I have no idea if I will be strong, but as always, I like to race and fight so I will do my best on the day.”
Other athletes to look out for include Xavier Dafflon, who will make his debut on home soil after injury, Theo Dupras, who suffered a slashed tire at XTERRA Czech last week, and Filippo Barazzuol, who finished in 8th place in the Czech Republic.
"2021 is a year full of new challenges, new job with higher responsibilities, a new baby girl in February, new flat, and new racing season,” said Dafflon. “I will need to find the right balance to be competitive in every part of my life, just like in XTERRA where you need to manage your effort to succeed. Really motivated, I'm curious to see what will be my competition level after this long break."
Aside from the 18 elites, an impressive field of age-group athletes will also be taking to the start line. While some will simply be looking to complete the race and enjoy the stunning course, others will be looking to earn one of the 26 XTERRA World Championship slots to Maui on December 5, as well as the amazing prizes up for grabs from Vittoria Tires (fastest bike split) and Zoggs UK (fastest swim split).
Elite Women, NAT
XTERRA World Rank - Name, NAT
8 - Loanne Duvoisin, SUI
16 - Marta Menditto, ITA
19 - Eleonora Peroncini, ITA
48 - Evelyne Trepte, SUI
67 - Segolene Leberon, FRA
93 - Maud Golsteyn, NED
Elite Men, NAT
XTERRA World Rank - Name, NAT
3 - Arthur Serrieres, FRA
9 - Maxim Chane, FRA
14 - Xavier Dafflon, SUI
32 - Filippo Barazzuol, ITA
47 - Theo Dupras, FRA
50 - Samuel Jud, SUI
98 - Brian Tetard, FRA
108 - Julien Buffe, FRA
214 - Andres Carnevali del Castillo, ESP
242 - Juan Andres Cano Cuevas, ESP
253 - Alejandro Salmeron Tenorio, ESP
Find live updates from XTERRA Switzerland on XTERRA Europe FB page Saturday at 2pm CET.