Corona has long been no reason for Marianne and Peter Grünebach to forego international sporting competitions.
It is a lot more time-consuming - because of the formalities and tests - but the couple from Polling accept this.
Polling - The corona pandemic has long been no reason for Marianne (67) and Peter Grünebach (72) to forego international sporting competitions.
It is a lot more time-consuming - because of a lot of formalities and tests - but the couple from Polling are happy to accept this.
The big goal of the two is to take part in the world championship at the winter triathlon in Andorra (March 19-21).
To prepare for it, both traveled to Asiago, Italy (Veneto).
There they completed a training camp and took part in competitions.
Comprehensive hygiene measures at competitions in Asiago
In the region at almost 1,600 meters above sea level, the “Triathlon7C” association organized a world cup as well as other races.
525 men and women from seven nations came.
The fact that the event succeeded under strict conditions was a remarkable achievement for Peter Grünebach. "We look at our Italian friends with respect," he said, pointing out that all winter triathlons and ski marathons in Germany this season have been canceled.
Pollinger praised the "exemplary anti-corona hygiene concepts and the labor-intensive implementation".
The athletes were sent out onto the track in small groups using wave starts, and masks were required up to the start line.
In addition, measurements of body temperature and sufficient disinfectants were “taken for granted”.
In view of the comprehensive protective measures, the Grünebachs were able to concentrate well on the sport.
The World Cup was reserved for women and men in the elite class.
Peter and Marianne Grünebach had offered to volunteer and were involved in the anti-doping area.
As athletes, they competed in two competitions - first in a duathlon and then in the open Italian championships in the winter triathlon.
Two starts in competitions within two days
In the duathlon (a total of 11 kilometers of running and cycling at an altitude of 250 meters), Marianne Grünebach reached the finish line after 1:22:09 hours.
As the oldest participant, she left three athletes behind in the overall ranking.
Peter Grünebach completed the route in 1:05:46 hours.
He was the second oldest starter and finished 77th overall out of 90 athletes.
The Grünebachs were the only participants in their respective age groups.
The next day, a winter triathlon was on the program for the couple.
A total of 20.8 kilometers (with an altitude difference of 450 meters) had to be completed in three sections (running / mountain biking / cross-country skiing).
The snow was "moderately soft", reported Peter Grünebach.
With 1:40:51 hours he won the M70 class.
The gap to second, Valter de Rossi, was only three seconds.
Marianne Grünebach (2:01:13) took silver in the W65 class behind Luisella Iabichella (1: 57.15 hours) and ahead of Rosella Carletti (2: 06.38).
In view of the positive experience in Italy, the couple now feel they are "better prepared for the 'World Cup' task".
At the world cup competition of the elite class in Asiago, the German Sebastian Neef surprised with second place overall.
The former German runner-up mastered the 7.2 kilometers of running, 12 kilometers of mountain biking and 10 kilometers of cross-country skiing on the long-distance triathlon in 1:20:22 hours.
Only eight-time world champion Pavel Andreev (1:19:49) from Russia was faster.
Third was the Italian Franco Pesavento (1:20:40).