The special full World Cup program by Marianne and Peter Grünebach

Created: 02/18/2022, 09:45 am

By: Paul Hopp

Two world championships in one place: Peter and Marianne Grünebach were part of the German squad for the title fights in winter duathlon and winter triathlon in Andorra.

© Private

If you want to take part in the World Cup, then do it right: The Grünebach couple, who tackled two title fights in a row in Andorra, acted according to this motto.

Andorra/Polling – Such a trip to Andorra (it is a good 1300 kilometers from the district to there on the shortest car route) should be worth it.

And that's why it was clear to Marianne and Peter Grünebach that they wanted to start both at the World Championships in winter duathlon, which was being held for the first time, and at the World Championships in winter triathlon, which took place two days later.

The two senior athletes had already completed such a strict program last year in Asiago (Italy) - at that time, however, it was about normal competitions.

One fact remained the same: the couple showed strong form and raked in medals.

In the duathlon, like all the other Age-Groupers, the people from Polling had to complete a total of 18.8 kilometers (427 meters in altitude) - divided into 6.4 kilometers of cross-country skiing and 12.4 kilometers of cross-country skiing.

Marianne Grünebach (67) covered the distance in 2:18:41 hours.

The Pollingerin was weakened by a cold, but in the end satisfied with her result.

Last but not least, the altitude was also a challenge: the competition in the southernmost municipality of Andorra took place at an altitude of up to 2100 meters.

The Grünebach couple in the German squad

Marianne Grünebach completed the cross-country run in 53:24 minutes, for cross-country skiing (freestyle) she needed 1:22 hours.

With her time, the woman from Polling won the silver medal behind the Austrian Marianne Hergouth (2:04:40).

Peter Grünebach (73) also had to deal with competitors he knew.

So he once again met the Estonian Anti Oot and the German Reinhardt Engert.

The second had "adapted well to the altitude and set the pace while running" in advance - residing in a mobile home at 2000 meters," reported Peter Grünebach.

The Pollinger caught up with Engert before switching to skis.

On the demanding four laps, including a 300 meter steep climb, Grünebach clearly distanced himself from his competitors.

World Cup took place in Andorra

He crossed the finish line after 1:49:05 hours and thus secured his fifth world championship title in endurance sports.

The advantage over Engert (1:55:55) and Oot (1:58:01) was considerable.

Pollinger completed the run split in 43:56 minutes and cross-country skiing in 1:03:23 hours.

Only 50 hours later, Peter Grünebach won another world title.

In the winter triathlon he distanced his competitors Engert and Oot even more than in the duathlon.

The age groupers had to run 5.4 kilometers, mountain bike 9 kilometers (including a section where you had to push your bike) and cross-country ski 9.3 kilometers.

The almost 24 kilometers in total showed 490 meters in altitude.

Peter Grünebach wins two gold medals

Engert once again dominated the run and got on his bike about a minute and a half ahead of Peter Grünebach. Pollinger was only able to join Engert on the final bike lap.

However, Grünebach made up time before the change.

The 73-year-old gradually expanded his lead on skis.

The long climb at the beginning of each lap was a real feat, especially for the athletes who had previously completed the duathlon.

"Some suffered from cramps," reported Peter Grünebach.

He himself did not have such problems, even if his reserves were used up towards the end.

Weilheim-Penzberg newsletter:

Everything from your region!

Our Weilheim-Penzberg newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the Weilheim and Penzberg region - including all the news about the Corona crisis in your community.

Sign up here.

"Like clockwork," says his wife Marianne Grünebach, he unwound his laps.

With almost spring-like temperatures of twelve degrees - without gloves on the bike and skating - he crossed the finish line after 2:04:58 hours.

As in the duathlon, silver went to Engert (2:12:01) and bronze to Oot (2:14:43).

Marianne Grünebach did not start a triathlon because of her cold.

Apart from the sporting successes, the couple from Polling experienced "an exceptional week with sunshine and moderate temperatures, excellent organization and further great successes of the German age group national team".

In duathlon and triathlon, the Germans collected 21 medals and were the most successful national association.

For the first time, several Germans were also at the start in the elite class races.

Sebastian Neef was fourth in the triathlon, Lorena Erl was fifth in the duathlon.

In the triathlon mixed relay, the two, who are also a couple privately, took fifth place.