2023-07-01 14:08:55
Mixed relay finished ninth at the end of the European Games. Salzburger was allowed to open the race for Austria.
Austria’s triathlon team ended the European Games in Poland with a top ten result in the mixed relay. Lukas Pertl, Julia Hauser, Luis Knabl and Sara Vilic swam, cycled and ran in a top-class field in ninth place. After four 300 m swims, 5 km bike rides and 1.5 km runs, the quartet was 1:38 minutes off the podium.
“Gave me the edge”
Lukas Pertl from Salzburg opened the race for Austria in the pouring rain. “I really gave myself the edge while swimming and then tried to survive the rest of the race,” says the 28-year-old Pongauer, who handed over to silver medalist Hauser in 14th place. Despite the short duration of the race, he was at the end of his strength: “In the mixed relay there is only: All in, all out! That means putting all the strength in the body into the water, onto the bike and into the running shoes. At the finish you can’t walk and drink for 15 minutes because you’re so exhausted.”
Final sprint was crucial
Hauser, Knabl and Vilic also gave their all to reach the top 10 minimum target. Final runner Vilic finally finished 9th for Austria by decisively breaking out of the group of three with Slovakia and Luxembourg with a final sprint. “I can always shift up a gear in the team. We have a great team spirit, so I’m happy that we made the best of a difficult race,” explained the Carinthian, completely exhausted at the finish. “It’s so crisp it really hurts, but the pain goes and the pride stays.”
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