New Champions in Harsh Conditions at NXTRI
Very strong winds made for tough racing conditions at the 2021 Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, but Julie Aspesletten and Jon Breivold took charge and kept former champions at bay. Because of COVID-19 the 2020 event was postponed, but Allan Hovda who had won the event in 2014, 2015 and 2018 conquered the course solo about a week before the actual race day. He was also at the start this year and seemingly seen as a favorite to add another title to his name, but Jon Breivold had another idea. The 26-year old Norwegian had won the 2020 IRONMAN Tallinn in 8:27:45 and was fairly new to triathlon then, but now he was no longer an unknown and proved that Tallinn was no fluke.
In the women's race many eyes were on Flora Colledge. She had won the 2019 Swissman Xtreme Triathlon and was the Norseman runner-up that year behind Lucy Gossage, but in the end the Brit had to settle for second place behind Norwegian Julie Aspesletten. Colledge had led after the swim but was then passed by Aspesletten on the bike who then disappeared down the road – not be seen again.
Julie Aspesletten was thrilled when she reached the top of Gaustatoppen. She knew she was the new champion and had avoided being blown off the mountain on the way up.
Earlier that day the ferry was loaded with masked athletes ready to be taken to the swim start and a very challenging day.
Before the athletes jump into the cold Hardangerfjord to start the race they have the option to get sprayed down with cold water so the jump into the cold fjord is not such a shock to the system.
The wind also made the Hardangerfjord choppy and from here it is easy to see the swim task ahead. Some folks walk up to the edge of the ferry and jump in fast while others take more time or contemplate if they have made a wise choice to be here.
The view of the athletes already in the water, and seemingly photographer Alexander Koerner also got wet to give us that view.
The bike course is difficult in calm conditions, but athletes faced a strong headwind most of the day. Here Håkon Bergsjø pedals towards a black t-shirt finish and 30th place among males in 14:48:46.
The views are stunning and while intriguing, the task is to stay focused on the course. We are not sure what the infraction was, but bib 74 Yerzan Temirkhanov seen here is listed as disqualified.
That is as much of a traffic jam you might see on the Norseman course. The difficulty of the bike segment and the opening swim really spreads the athletes out. Early on athletes are required to wear reflective vests and that is why they are seen here.
Many folks often wonder if such a course is best done on a road bike, but most athletes race this course on triathlon bikes. Norwegian Morten Svihus even decided to run Morf Technology bars on his tri bike. He however ended up in 32nd place among males and a black t-shirt but with a relatively slow bike split 8:17:16.
Anders Langset on the other hand finished in 7th placed overall with a 6:13:31 bike split and a total time of 12:07:09.
Jon Breivold in a Zalaris kit cruising on a Trek Speed Concept towards the 2021 title. It is the Zalaris Norseman, and athletes like Breivold must commit to a substantial fundraising effort to support cancer victims. Here Breivold receives a bottle from one of his crew members. He had to catch early race leader Kristian Grue and did so with a 5:22:31 race best bike split.
Allan Hovda pressed hard but it was not going to be his day. In the end he had to settle for third place in the end after a 3rd best 5:39:27 bike split on his blue Quintana Roo PRsix disc.
Kristian Grue was a long time leader after a race best 1:00:44 swim and a second best 5:37:04 bike split. In the end he held on to second place.
Julie Aspesletten had the fastest bike split among the female starters with a time of 6:50:38 aboard her Argon18. She then followed it up with the top run split.
The early part of the run course is relatively flat and here Jon Breivold is seen in full stride during his race best 3:41:02 run split.
Flora Colledge had the best swim and was strong all day but in the end she finished second in 13:24:57.
After the finish fully exhausted. Breivold had given it all and thankfully there was an elevator ride down available for Breivold.
Although not very crowded this finish line on top of Gaustatoppen might be one of the most rewarding ones in triathlon, and female champion Julie Aspesletten is soaking it all in. Her winning time was 12:39:18.
Images 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17 and 18 © Alexander Koerner / NXTRI
Images 3, 4, 11, 12, 13 and 15 © Lars-Erik Blenne Lien / NTRI
Images 14 and 16 © Kai-Otto Melau
