During the past year Norwegians have set a new standard in triathlon and Zalaris Norseman is no exception. According to the Sports Director in the Norwegian National Federation, Arild Tveiten the xtreme triathlons also have a new star; Jon Breivold. The 27-year-old Norwegian have won Zalaris Norseman and XTRI World Championships the past two years and in 2022 he smashed the previous course record at Zalaris Norseman with nearly half an hour. In 2023 he will be challenged by Sebastian Kienle.
Facts about Norseman Xtreme Triathlon:?The race includes a 3.8-kilometer swim in a fjord. The bike is 180-kilometer through 5 mountains, and a 42.2-kilometer marathon run to the top of Mt. Gausta. The race is held august 5th 2023.
Exhaustion and fun through 20 years?This year, Zalaris Norseman celebrates its 20th anniversary. - Many sports events are experiencing a decline in interest, Zalaris Norseman had 4,650 applicants from 98 different countries for this year`s event. Unfortunately, Zalaris Norseman only have capacity for 265 athletes at Zalaris Norseman and this year we will have a duel between two very strong athletes, says general manager of Zalaris Norseman, Hårek Stranheim.
Waffles and sour cream for Kienle?Jon Breivold has been the supreme winner of Zalaris Norseman for the past two years. In 2021 he won with a lead of just over 23 minutes and in 2022 he finished just over 30 minutes ahead of the next man. Now I have been given a great challenge. Sebastian Kienle is a long-distance legend. He came 6th during the World Championships at Ironman Hawaii in 2022 and is one of the world`s best triathletes. - We will most likely be close to each other until the bottom of “Zombie Hill”, which is the steep climb from Rjukan to Mt. Gausta. When we start on the 1,600 meter climb up the mountain, I will teach Sebastian Kienle a lesson in uphill running, says the 27-year-old triathlete from Norway. Kienle will understand why the uphill from Rjukan to Mt. Gausta has been nicknamed “Zombie Hill”. – My prediction for the race is that I will be serving waffles, strawberry jam, and sour cream for Kienle when he arrives at Mt. Gausta as runner-up, says Breivold.
Mecca for xtreme triathlon?Zalaris Norseman will be the last long course triathlon in Europe after a fantastic decade of racing on the highest level for Sebastian Kienle and he is aiming to finish with a victory in Norway. – The 2023 season marks my last year being a professional triathlete and Zalaris Norseman will be my final long distance triathlon in Europe. - Zalaris Norseman is world famous for the jump from the ferry in the Hardangerfjord and the finish at Mt. Gausta. - Many sports have a mecca. Alpine skiing has Kitzbühel, and Tennis has Wimbledon. For extreme triathlon, Zalaris Norseman is the mecca. – I have to say that it was no easy decision, I definitely am a little scared of the race, I think even the best athletes in the world look at this and say, “this is a little crazy” For me it is the ultimate challenge – I will do everything to win Zalaris Norseman and I believe it will be head-to-head until 25 k of the run. When running up “Zombie Hill” everything can happen, but I will give it all to take the win at Zalaris Norseman, says Kienle.