Competitors brave the bura as Zadarhalf triathlon is held

(Photo: Dragan Lonić)

ZADAR, 10 October 2021 – More than 350 professional athletes and amateurs from 20 countries braved the cold and strong bura wind on Saturday when the 8th Zadarhalf triathlon took place at the Falkensteiner Punta Skala resort in Zadar. 

The 8th Zadarhalf, which includes a 1.9 km swim, 90 kilometre cycle and a 21.2 kilometre run, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful medium-length triathlons.

This year’s winners were Belgian competitor Emmanuel Lejeune with a fantastic time of 3:57:24 and Austrian champion Simone Kumhofer with a time of 4:27:16. 

(Photo: Borna Subota)

(Photo: Borna Subota)

The best Croatian finishers were Sonja Škevin, who came second and achieved an excellent result of 4:43:15, and Silvije Tomac in sixth place with a time of 4:09:38.

(Photo: Borna Subota)

“This year we had a number of well-known names from all over the world, including from distant countries like Guatemala. For the first time in eight years, we had bad weather, so the tough race got even harder, but almost no one gave up. I have to say – a great and unforgettable atmosphere,” said Zlatko Parać, the director of the race.

(Photo: Dragan Lonić)

(Photo: Dragan Lonić)

Well-known television journalist and presenter Ognjen Golubić fell in love with triathlon a year and a half ago during the lockdown, but he had to pull out at the last minute due to injury.

(Photo: Borna Subota)

“A month ago I was supposed to do my first Ironman, but due to a ruptured leaf muscle on my right leg I just had to give up. I thought I would be ready for this race, but the coach said I would skip it anyway for safety. Zadarhalf is a great race, superbly organised, I continue to train every day and I will come next year, “ said Ognjen Golubić.

(Photo: Borna Subota)

(Photo: Dragan Lonić)

(Photo: Dragan Lonić)

A particularly emotional moment was the arrival at the finish line of Sebastien Bellin, a former basketball player badly injured during the terrorist attack in Brussels in 2016. With the help of coach Luc Van Lierde, two-time world champion in the Ironman discipline, he achieved the almost impossible. A documentary is being made about his fascinating life and preparations for Hawaii Konu, which Netflix is also interested in.

(Photo: Borna Subota)

Race results here

In addition to the triathlon, Falkensteiner Punta Skala in Zadar this weekend hosted the grand finale in which we got the Croatian representatives for this year’s European final of the Esports tournament Red Bull Flick. The gaming spectacle at the Falkensteiner Fortis Club organised a series of incredibly interesting battles, and the victory was taken by the Tigers – Marko Mijatović and Gabrijel Šego, thus securing a place in the regional qualifiers for the main tournament held this year in Helsinki on November 20.