As the picturesque Aosta Valley gears up to host the 2025 Winter Triathlon and Winter Duathlon World Championships, athletes from around the globe are set to showcase their skills in one of the most challenging multi-sport events of the winter season. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Cogne, the Championships will take place from February 21 to February 23, 2025, featuring duathlon and triathlon competitions for Elite, U23, Junior, Para athletes and Age Groupers.
Winter Duathlon
The excitement begins on Friday, February 21, with the Winter Duathlon World Championships in the menu. A powerhouse lineup is expected in the women’s race, including familiar faces like Daria Rogozina and Svetlana Sokolova (AIN), alongside Scandinavian talents Ine Skjellum and Stina Meinicke (NOR), who are both strong contenders. Ine, the reigning winter duathlon world champion, will be eager to defend her title, having performed exceptionally last year in Pragelato.
In the men’s category, Hans Christian Tungesvik (NOR) leads as a top favorite alongside legendary winter triathlon athlete Pavel Andreev (AIN). The local Italian team will be spearheaded by Franco Pesavento, the current world triathlon champion, along with Giuseppe Lamastra and Alessandro Saravalle, adding a competitive edge to this exciting event.
Winter Triathlon
The enthusiasm continues on Saturday with the Elite, U23, and Junior Winter Triathlon World Championships. Elite women athletes will fight for glory, with Italian hope Sandra Mairhofer aiming for her fourth world title on familiar turf. Mairhofer will face fierce competition from silver medalist last year Anetta Grabmuller Soldati (CZE), as well as the Norwegian duo of Skjellum and Meinicke, along with formidable challengers like Lorena Erl (GER) and Kristina Lapinova (SVK).
On the men's side, Franco Pesavento will lead a strong Italian contingent in pursuit of victory, joined by fellow countrymen Lamastra and Saravalle. They will compete against Tungesvik, the silver medalist in the previous year’s championships, and other strong competitors like Marek Rauchfuss (CZE), who clinched bronze last year, and Sebastian Neef (GER).
Athletes will face a demanding course consisting of an 8km snow run, 12km of snow mountain biking, and 12km of cross-country skiing, punctuated by five challenging transitions and two laps of each segment. Additionally, Age-Group and Para athletes will have their own separate races, featuring a half-distance course with two transitions.
The event culminates on Sunday with the Age-Group Standard Distance World Triathlon Winter Championships, the Para Winter Triathlon World Championships, and the electrifying 2x2 Winter Triathlon Mixed Relay for Elites and U23/Juniors.
