Keshav Pathak/Pokhara Sports/ ‘Extreme World Tour’, an international adventure triathlon event organized by Himalayan-Xtri is going to introduce the first time in Pokhara, Nepal.
The championship is going to be held on May 7, 2022. About 100 competitors from all over the world will participate in the event, Himalayan-Xtri Co-Race Director Ricky Yonjan told Pokhara Sports. The event was supposed to be held two years ago, was postponed due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Till now, 74 players from 35 countries have registered for the event with 8 Russian competitors. According to the organizers, the competitors are expected to reach 100.
Triathlon icon ‘Sony’ as Brand Ambassador
Nepali triathlon icon Sony Gurung has been nominated by the organizers as the brand ambassador of the event. Sony, gold medalist of the 13th South Asian Games (SAG). She is also the only Nepali player to participate in the tournament. The organizers have handed over the costumes including swimsuits, t-shirts, shoes, and other costumes of the world-famous ‘Huub’ company to Sony. Sony 27, from Dhading, Nepal has been working in APF for the last 6 years, and involved in triathlon for the past seven years. She is a gold medalist holder in the 8th National Games too.
Sony said that she was very proud to participate in the ‘Extreme World Tour Triathlon’ organized by Himalayan-Xtri for the first time in Nepal. “It’s an honor not only for myself but also for the country to be able to compete with world-class athletes in my own country,” she said. She said that although the competition attracted a lot of her friends, they would not be able to participate due to lack of time and urged them to prepare for the next event.
Sony, who has been practicing for the competition for the past five months, said that she is working towards fulfilling her dream. “This is a much tougher and more risky event,” she told.
Photo: Kaiotto Melau
What is ‘Extreme World Tour Triathlon’?
The ‘Extreme World Tour Triathlon’ is known as the world’s most adventurous event. Although this event has been organized annually in different countries of Europe, it is being organized for the first time in Asia. As soon as the competition of Nepal is over, Taiwan will be the next destination.
Named ‘Extra World Tour’, the championship is being held in 17 countries of the world. “As Nepal is becoming known around the world as an adventure sports destination, we are planning to organize this competition,” said Yonjan, Co-Race director of the competition “This is a World Extreme Tour.” Yonjan says that the height of the areas to be covered by the players is about 8,900 meters.”
Why in Pokhara?
According to Mr. Yonjan, the co-director of the race, the event was organized to identify Nepal as a destination for adventure sports. He said that Pokhara has been chosen as the main project site especially for the triathlon, lakes, cycling routes, and mountain and hilly roads for running. “Pokhara is a beautiful tourist destination in itself,” he said.
The triathlon was organized in Pokhara under the 13th South Asian Games (SAG). The Nepal Triathlon Association has been organizing competitions here every year. Especially in the triathlon event, Pokhara is also a major destination for the event due to the ease of hospitality management along with the indispensable rhythm. Although Fewa Lake is the center of attraction all over the world, the country has not yet been able to make benefit from it.
Why it’s so ‘extreme’ called?
The extreme aspects of the competition are 3.5 km swimming, 180 km cycling, and 43 km running in Fewa Lake. The competition will start on May 7 at 4 am with a 3.5 km swim. The cycling event will start immediately after the swim. They will reach Waling of Syangja via Pokhara by bicycle and after returning from there they will reach Kande via Pokhara-Sarangkot. This cycle race event will be about 180 kilometers.
As soon as the cycling journey is over, the race of the competitors will start from the Kande of Kaski. They will reach Lwang in Machhapuchhre VDC of Kaski by touching 4,000 meters of Mardi Himal High Camp, a tourist destination of Kaski. The competition will be held in Lwang, said Samej Raj Bhandari, local representative of the organizing committee. “We have estimated that the event will end in 14 hours but it might take longer players may not supposed to arrive at the same time,” he said.
Features of the Event
The specialty of this competition is that the participants must bring their own sports equipment along with an assistant. “Even if the contestant needs any materials or water during the race he/she should manage himself,” said Yonjan, co-race director. Another feature is that the members of the organizing team should participate in this competition.
Triathlon athletes Peter Bavro Czech of the Czech Republic, Robert Haznal of Romania, Flora Coledge of Switzerland, Alan Hovata of Norway, and other distinguished competitors will participate in the event.
Any Prize in Cash?
It can be predicted that those who participate in the world’s most difficult triathlon event winner will be benefited from the Cash amount. But unfortunately, they will not receive any medal, certificate, or any cash. They will only get a T-shirt, which is considered to be rare as well as quite expensive with the logo of the event which will be recognized all over the world.
Presence of Media
Media all over the world are focusing on this event. “They are looking forward to the day of the competition”, says James Rusmekenji, another co-race director of the competition. He said, “This is a great opportunity to introduce Nepal as a destination for adventure sports. The competition is being organized in Pokhara and various media all over the world are starting their preparations from now on.”
According to Co-Race Director James, Nepal is taking a new leap in the world tourism market with the opportunity for players from all over the world to reach the mountains and enjoy the cultural aspect. “This is not only an extreme event, but it will also play a vital role in connecting the world’s athletes through this race, as well as expanding the cultural and social aspects of the relationship with the local community.”, he stated.
The Nepal Triathlon Association will also support making the competition a success. Divas Yonjan as the event manager, Shravan Khoju as the marketing manager, and Dorje Tamang as the marketing executive are assisting the event. Photographer Kaiotto Melau will also support the event with his photography. The organizers have estimated that more than 250 contestants for the 2nd edition of the competition to be held in 2023. The registration fee is free for Nepali athletes who would like to participate in the event.
