Media Inquires
Announcing Minnesota’s first ever USAT (USA Triathlon) sanctioned winter triathlon.
Minneapolis, MN, February 10, 2009
Athletes will run, bike and ski on the beautiful grounds of Elm Creek Park in Maple Grove, MN on December 19th. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, Elm Creek along with triNordique will manufacture it. Kids are welcome in the duathlon.
Winter triathlons have been held for years nationally and internationally. Minnesota is a state where multi-sport athletes thrive and winter sports abound and it is only befitting that the state hosts such an event. Unlike any other winter triathlon in MN, triNordique is sanctioned by USAT. The USA Triathlon is the governing body who works in tandem with the US Olympics.
Winter triathlon is not necessarily any triathlon occurring between November and March in the Northern Hemisphere. As its own sport, winter triathlon involves running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing - all performed on snow. It is a perfect way to learn new sports, improve your base fitness, and expand your skills as a multisport athlete. The International Triathlon Union has been holding winter triathlon world championship races since 1997. In the triNordique, the running is contested on hard-packed snow with distance of 7.6K. Racers typically wear normal running shoes or cross country spikes. The mountain bike leg is held on packed ski trails for a distance of 12K. Competitors ride standard racing mountain bikes, often equipped with relatively wide tires run at low (about 15-20 psi) pressure. Tires with spikes are legal, though most competitors shun their use because of the additional weight.
The final event of winter triathlon is cross-country skiing. The course is 3 laps on a groomed trail for 7.5K. Classic or freestyle (skating) techniques are allowed, though most competitors use the freestyle technique as it is faster.
Contact Information:
Contact Race Directors Dr. John Odom, of Odom Sports Medicine, and John Shelp of SCS Multisports. 952-545-2225 Trinordique@gmail.com
The official website is: www.trinordique.com
Copyright © 2009 by Trinordique, Inc. All Rights Reserved.