World Triathlon

Many competitors at the age-group race of today’s Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Kitzbühel were surprised to find themselves lined up alongside Formula One racing star Nico Rosberg of Germany. The 25-year-old German demonstrated that he has athletic talents outside of the race car as well, finishing the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in an impressive time of 2:07:33.

“My parents have a home nearby in Zell, so I decided to come over to Kitzbühel and compete,” Rosberg said. “It was a great event-very tough, but I had a lot of fun.”

Rosberg had a slight scare at the end of the cycle portion of the race, when he removed his helmet too early and was threatened with a disqualification by the race referee. Fortunately for Rosberg and the hundreds of fans who came to cheer him on, he was only given a warning and was able to continue onto the run course.

Rosberg’s friend and trainer Daniel Schlosser was very pleased with the driver’s performance.

“He is a world-class sportsman all around,” Schlosser said. “He is a true fighter and it was great to see him go until he almost collapsed today.”

Rosberg admitted to being truly exhausted at the finish.

Also competing in the Olympic-distance race was former pro cyclist Jörg Jaksche, who used a powerful bike and run combination to come in sixth place overall with a time of 1:54:38.

“The swim was tough-I had to do breaststroke to the first buoy,” Jaksche said. “But in the cycling and running everything went perfect.”

Pictures courtesy of Walter Rief.