The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising and the anticipation for Challenge St. Pölten 2025 is growing. While many age group athletes are taking advantage of the ideal conditions for their training, the pros are also already looking ahead to the race on May 25th 2025. Two familiar faces who caused a sensation last year have already confirmed their participation: the reigning national champions Anna Pabinger and Michael Weiss.
National champions back in St. Pölten
After a six-year break from triathlon, Upper Austrian Anna Pabinger was crowned national champion in the middle distance last year in St. Pölten. This victory was a bit of a surprise for the doctor and mum. ‘I worked hard for it and knew what I was capable of. But a lot has happened on the scene during the six-year break due to my children,’ she says. Without knowing the competition and knowing that she wouldn’t be able to keep up in terms of equipment and nutrition, she simply gave it her best shot because there was nothing to lose. With success! In addition to the national title, she finished a strong 5th overall. ‘Coming in as national champion is really an indescribable, overwhelming feeling. At first I could hardly believe what I had achieved. Afterwards I was over the moon,’ says Pabinger.
She will be back on the starting line in St. Pölten in 2025 and wants to make another strong showing. There are two main reasons for this decision. ‘St. Pölten is a really well-organised competition with a great course and an incredible crowd. For me as a working mother of two children, it is also a welcome race for organisational reasons,’ explains Pabinger. Being so close to home eliminates a lot of stress and allows her to concentrate better on the competition. The 36-year-old’s goal is clear: ‘I want to improve and do better at things that didn’t work out in 2024.’ She is training hard for this thanks to the support of her husband and within the limits of her time.
Local hero and 2024 national champion Michael Weiss has also already announced his participation in the Challenge St. Pölten 2025. This will be the twelfth start for the Gumpoldskirchner and he has already won the full set of medals in St. Pölten. Weiss is one of the oldest athletes on the scene, but proved his ability once again last year with the national title and 4th place overall. ‘Of course I’m more at home on the long distance and I often lack the agility to compete against the young athletes, but I always manage to show that I’m still up for it,’ he says with a laugh.
St. Pölten is a home race for him and certainly one of his favourites. The competition impresses him on all levels: ‘St. Pölten has proven for many years that it is a top competition that impresses with its quality and attention to detail.’ The decisive factor for him is not only the beautiful courses, but also the continuous striving for improvement and the reaction to developments in the scene. He refers to the use of Race Ranger, which was used in the professional field for the first time in 2024.
Michael Weiss’ tips for rookies in St. Pölten
Taking part in Challenge St. Pölten for the first time? Michael Weiss has some valuable tips for you:
- Swimming: Practise the wetsuit swim! The race takes place early in the season and cooler water temperatures are likely.
- Cycling: Bike skills are crucial! Practise cornering and braking to be safe on the varied course. A course inspection in competition set-up is highly recommended.
- Running: Be prepared for the changing terrain! There are lots of bends, so keep your rhythm. Make sure you are well fuelled on the bike so that you remain stable while running.
With these tips and the perfect spring training, nothing stands in the way of a successful race in St. Pölten. The anticipation is building – are you ready?
