Challenge Vichy is here!
CHALLENGE VICHY’S mission is to become the fastest triathlon in France!!!
The Challenge family has decided to name Vichy as its latest addition to its already impressive list of world class races and presents a long distance triathlon comprising of 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run, with the event to take place on the 21 August 2011.
Former professional triathlete Gael Mainard will lead the organisation. A local of the Auvergne region, he wished to organise this event in his home town. His local knowledge will position him perfectly to present to you the beautiful countryside and rich history of this region; 109 mineral springs and 80 volcano’s will allow the athletes to recover in the most natural environment.
It was an easy choice for CHALLENGE as VICHY is perfectly situated to accommodate a triathlon of this scale: -Vichy, know for its mineral spa’s offers a wide range of accommodation options and is situated in an ideal position in the centre of France with easy access by both road and rail as well as being only 50 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand’s international airport. -Vichy’s thermal spa’s will only increase the attractiveness of this event to both athletes and their supporters who may like to use this opportunity to mix the thrill of racing with a relaxing holiday. -The city of Vichy is home to many first class sporting venues including a Regional Institute of Sport, an outdoor 50 metre swimming pool and a multi-sport centre that is ideally positioned within the beautiful parks throughout the city.
THE RACE SITE
The race headquarters will be situated at the Pierre Coulon multi-sports centre which is on the bank of the Allier River. This is where many of the grand moments of the CHALLENGE VICHY will take place notably the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the swim start and the transition area. The Palais du Lac will be the centre piece of the finish line surrounded by grandstands capable of holding up to 2000 spectators. The expo will be home to numerous triathlon brands show casing their latest equipment and past and presents stars of the triathlon world as well as a dedicated restaurant area allowing both athletes and spectators to dine in the shade and tranquility of the park.
THE PROGRAMME AND THE COURSE
The race organisers have chosen to design a fast course which is rare in France, with our country normally famous for its difficult courses. This course will be perfectly suited for those athletes who want to smash their personal best times, bike specialists or for the ironman novices.
The Opening Ceremony to be held on the Friday 19 August will mark the official opening of the inaugural Challenge Vichy festivities including the pasta party which will be prepared by restaurateur Laurent Ferreira (over 10 ironman distance finishes to his credit). The Saturday afternoon will see athletes rack their bikes in one of the most beautiful transition areas only meters from the Allier River. Sunday the 21 August will see the athletes preparing at 5am under the spot lights of the Pierre Coulon multi-sports centre, with the start to be given only moments after sunrise at 7am.5 wave starts will set the rythm for the eventful day to come.
The multiple waves and the wide banks of the Allier River will enable the athletes to swim freely until the swim turn around. The swim will commence from a deep water start and will be an out and back course with the turn around positioned 1700m in a straight line from the swim start. The athletes will turn around 3 buoys before swimming 1900m on the city side of the river. The last buoy will be positioned directly in front of the Palais du Lac where athletes will be required to turn right and swim the final metres to the swim exit. Once on dry land athletes will be greeted by a 200m run to transition with the support of a cheering crowd. The transition area will be arranged like all of the major international triathlons with personal transition bags and a change tent.
Once on two wheels the athletes will ride a short 2km section before joining the 88km loop that the athletes will complete twice. The two laps commence on a small hill in Bellerive-sur-Allier which has been designated a “hot spot” where the spectators will be encouraged to gather and create a Tour de France like atmosphere. The access to this point will be signposted and will be accessible by foot. The competitors will then ride towards the plains of Limagne in the direction of Clermont-Ferrand where they will find a splendid panorama of the volcano’s of Auvergne. The relatively flat course will lead the athletes through the Randan Forest before arriving back at the start of the loop at Bellerive-sur-Allier. At this point athletes will pass through the “hot spot” again as they commence their 2nd lap. Upon completion of the 2nd lap competitors will take the turn towards the transition area and the finish of the 180km bike leg.
Once through the 2nd transition, the triathletes will launch into the marathon which will see the competitor’s complete 4 laps of 10.5km. At the start of each lap the competitors will pass in front of the grandstands to the cheers of the spectators to assist them during their long day. The first 2kms of the run are within the Pierre Coulon multi-sport complex with the athletes running between a peaceful stream and a number of sporting fields.
The course then leads the courageous triathletes onto the shaded and flowered banks of the Allier river before skirting the horse race track and crossing the lake by le pont de Bellerive. The athletes must then run through the Napeleon Park and navigate past the Celestins beach. The return to the finish area sees the athletes run along the newly constructed cycle path that runs along the Allier River. As the athletes near the end of the run lap they will cross the lake by le pont de l’Europe where they will be greeted by a magnificent view of the transition area and the city of Vichy. Before crossing the finish line they will be greeted by an incredible atmosphere with 2000 spectators and 2 commentators.
From 10pm both the athletes and spectators will join together for the finish line party to cheer on and welcome home the last of the finishers. The finish line party is the perfect way to finish an incredible day and often remains an unforgettable experience for all athletes, spectators and volunteers that have participated in the Challenge Vichy.
Whether you are an athlete, volunteer or a spectator, hesitate no more, come and join the adventure Challenge Vichy!
