A Successful Start to the Season with an 8th-Place Finish at Challenge Cesenatico

After a long training block during the winter months with the young, energetic, and above all fast swimmers from the Bern Swimming Club, I was eager to test my form and put my progress to the test in competition.

The intensive swim training paid off, and I was able to keep up with the chase group. Trailing the leaders by just 1:15 minutes, my gap was smaller than ever before.

On the bike, I pushed hard from the start and found myself in a strong cycling group. Kilometer by kilometer, we closed the gap to the leaders and were able to catch up just before the second transition zone.

At the start of the half-marathon, I felt surprisingly fresh. My legs were strong, my rhythm was right, and my nutrition strategy was working as planned. Even while running, I was able to continue consuming over 80 grams of carbohydrates per hour, that may seem unspectacular, but it often makes the difference in a race.

A tight and cramping hamstring made the last three kilometers painful. In moments like that, the race becomes a mental challenge. That makes me all the more happy that I was able to fight through it, cross the finish line with a new personal best, and secure 8th place. In the end, I was just three minutes short of the podium.

https://stats.protriathletes.org/race/challenge-cesenatico/2026/results

Now I’m looking forward to a few quieter days. My main focus is on resting and recharging my batteries before the next big race - the Challenge Championships in Samorin - in two weeks.

A huge thank you to everyone who followed the race, cheered me on, and supported me!!