It will be a great sports party. From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September, the Riviera dei Fiori will welcome more than 700 triathletes on the occasion of the first edition of Challenge Sanremo, an international event that is part of the Challenge Family circuit which includes 30 events around the world.
It starts on Friday at 5 pm with the Swimrun for which about a hundred athletes are expected, on Saturday the Triathlon Sprint (from 10:30 with over 200 athletes) and the youth triathlon (from 14:00 with 100 young triathletes engaged) ; Sunday, starting at 8:20 am, the highlight of the weekend, the Challenge Sanremo over Middle Distance (1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling, 21 km of running) attended by more than 300 athletes, even coming from outside Europe. We remind you that the race organized by the Riviera Triathlon 1992 will assign the qualification slots for TheChampionship, the world final of the Challenge circuit of 2023.
ATHLETES TO FOLLOW
The middle-distance race will be of a decidedly high level thanks to the important technical qualities of the participants. Eyes on Michael Raelert, the German two-time world champion of Ironman 70.3, the same distance in which he will compete in Sanremo. High chances also for William Mennesson (Fra), Pablo Dapena Gonzales (Spa), Florin Salvisberg (Svi), Thomas Bishop (Gbr) Roberto Sanchez Mantecon (Spa) and for the most representative Italian athletes on the distance like Gregory Barnaby, Alessandro Degasperi, Mattia Ceccarelli, Domenico Passuello. The level of the women’s event is also very high: Lucy Byram (Gbr), Aleksandra Jedrzejewska (Pol), Emma Bilham (Gbr), Justine Guerard (Fra), Nina Derron (Svi) stand out, who will have to contend victory with the “azzurre” Giorgia Priarone ( silver medal at the World Championship in the Team event and fresh European champion in duathlon), Luisa Iogna-Prat and the local athlete, and captain of the 1992 Riviera Triathlon Vittoria Bergamini.
TRIATHLON SPRINT
Interesting names also in the sprint triathlon on Saturday. The double olympic “azzurro” Davide Uccellari, Asia Mercatelli, vice world university champion, Davide Ingrillì and Kiril Polikarpenko, will be ready to put on a show in the electrifying race characterized by the ascent and descent of the Poggio.
ORGANIZER QUOTES
“Even though we have been organizing sporting events for twenty years, it is always thrilling to welcome hundreds of triathletes from all corners of the planet – said Daniele Moraglia, president of Riviera Triathlon 1992 and chief of organizing committee – This year we have taken up a great challenge: joining the Challenge Family international circuit and organize the first edition of Challenge Sanremo, a very ambitious and demanding multi-year project, but at the same time stimulating. In a few days the rich weekend will open and will involve swimrun enthusiasts, sprint triathlon specialists, young triathletes and, finally, the hundreds of athletes ready to try their hand at the challenging medium-distance test, along the very challenging course, but that make the most of our territory, not only for the city of Sanremo, but also for the other 11 municipalities crossed by the race. In this regard, it is our duty to thank all the local administrations, always sensitive towards us and ready to welcome the triathlon along their streets, the Police, the institutions and their offices, the supporters of the event and the associations that collaborate with the Organizing Committee and the Riviera Triathlon 1992 and, finally, the volunteers: without them, such a sporting event would not be possible. The excitement is rising, the tension too: we will do everything possible to ensure the smooth running of the competitions and make sure that everyone has fun practicing or attending a great sporting event. Good luck to all participants: we will be ready to support them, from first to last, certain that there will be no lack of emotions”.
IN MEMORY OF ALESSIO BIANCHI
The Sanremo Swimrun Challenge on Friday 23 September, as already announced, will be named after Alessio Bianchi. Athlete of the 1992 Riviera Triathlon team, well known and appreciated in the Swimrun circuit in Italy and Europe, Alessio left us prematurely at the end of July, struck by an illness just as he was practicing the sport that he was so passionate about. As we have already had the opportunity to underline, Alessio will always swim and run next to us: he will always be one of us. Furthermore, we remind you that half an hour before the start of the race (4:30 pm), Alessio will be remembered and, in this circumstance, he will be given the last farewell
MEMORIAL GAVINO AND TROFEO RAMBALDI
On the occasion of the sprint and the medium distances of the Challenge Sanremo on September 24-25, two special prizes will be awarded: the Memorial Marco Gavino and the Trofeo Daniele Rambaldi.
The fastest runners on middle distance race male/ female (Pro athletes are excluded) will receive the award named after Marco Gavino, a young policeman who died during a humanitarian mission in Kosovo, a great friend of all of us and a person of great qualities. The decision to donate the Trophy to the best runner stems from Marco’s past as an athlete, which made him a valid and passionate runner.
The Trofeo Daniele Rambaldi will be awarded to the best male and female athletes Under 23 who will cross the finish line of the Sprint Triathlon. Rambaldi has left an unbridgeable void in the life of those who have known him even for just a few minutes. Availability, ¨joie de vivre¨, kindness, simplicity, sympathy, passion for sport, sincerity, loyalty are just some of the distinctive characteristics of the ¨Rambo¨ Danielone who since 1992 has been the soul and engine of the 1992 Riviera Triathlon. The Trofeo dedicated to emerging athletes was established precisely to underline his natural predisposition to work with young people.
MUNICIPALITIES, VOLUNTEERS AND ASSOCIATIONS
A sporting event so complicated from an organizational point of view, can only materialize by networking and taking advantage of mutual collaboration and support. First of all, the Territories crossed by our races deserve thanks: in addition to Sanremo, the municipalities of Taggia, Riva Ligure, Santo Stefano al Mare, Terzorio, Pompeiana, Castellaro, Badalucco, Bajardo, Ceriana, Cipressa and Ospedaletti to which are added those to the Police Dept.
Collaboration with schools is also fundamental, in particular with the Liceo Cassini l of Sanremo, which will make dozens of students available to support our staff, and the cooperation with the Tabya 100 scout group and the Anni Azzurri structures. Sport knows how to create “cross- ties” and it happens that Teams and Clubs of different disciplines with common philosophies meet and decide to help each other during important events: this is why the president of ASD Canottieri Sanremo Sergio Tommasini should be thanked for the help that his athletes will give us in the various swimming fractions during the race weekend. Finally, we anticipate that Challenge Sanremo will be the subject of a degree thesis in which all the sports, tourism and economic aspects related to an international event of this magnitude will be analyzed.
CHARITY PROJECT
Fundraising for the purchase of some machineries (pulse oximeters and cardiomonitors) for the pediatric department of the Imperia Hospital is still active: in addition to donating part of the registrations to this initiative, the organizers of the Riviera Triathlon event 1992 will activated a telematic system to collect donations on the dedicated Rete del Dono platform. Strong support for this important initiative will be provided by Sabrina Schillaci, cyclist and triathlete who will give great visibility to the Charity project: in addition to competing in the medium-distance race on 25 September, Sabrina will reach the Riviera dei Fiori by bicycle retracing the route of the “Classicissima” Milan-Sanremo.
(FUND RAISING: https://www.retedeldono.it/it/progetti/riviera-triathlon-1992-asd/challenge-sanremo-charity-project)
INSTITUTIONAL QUOTES
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome the first edition of the Challenge Sanremo international triathlon, undoubtedly one of the sports disciplines that best fits into the natural environment of our territory where it becomes a fascinating outdoor competition field, combining three competitive different sports to play – said Giovanni Toti, president of Ligura Region – The great success of the past events organized by the Riviera Triathlon 92 has managed to highlight the beauty of this sport which sees its athletes involved in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, combining the wonders of our region in a path between blue waters. and scenarios with breathtaking views. The inclusion of the 2022 edition within the prestigious Challenge Family circuit testifies to the degree of professionalism achieved by the Riviera Triathlon Society and therefore represents the right recognition of the organizational skills demonstrated in its first 30 years of activity. The hundreds of athletes, technicians, and supporters who will be in Sanremo in the coming days will have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of a tourist resort that, once again, will be able to guarantee an enviable welcome and hospitality. I wish them to combine the efforts of this demanding competition with a pleasant stay in the splendid Sanremo, city of flowers and sport”.
“With great enthusiasm, I salute and participate in this first edition of the Challenge Sanremo which sees the entry of Liguria into the Challenge Family and brings it to the Olympus of international Triathlon competitions – said Simona Ferro, Councilor for Sport of the Liguria Region who continues – I am certain that lovers of this beautiful, intense and exciting sport will be able to admire a location of rare beauty, as well as appreciate the remarkable athletic level of the participants on steep paths and extremely complex descents. We are all waiting to see the race on Sunday, the real highlight of the three days of competition, but without forgetting that Friday will be dedicated to the Swimrun which, with its little more than 11 km mixed between running and swimming, will lead the way to the sprint race event, in the course tested over the years and then give space, in the afternoon, to youth competitions. A dense and intense program that puts the Sanremo Challenge at the center of the sports world with an international resonance and this shows how sport is connected to tourism and the promotion of the territory as well as to the economy and the enhancement of our excellence. Thanks to everyone for the remarkable organizational commitment of this event, with the hope that it will be the first of a long series”.
“I am happy that Liguria and Sanremo are hosting the first edition of the Challenge Sanremo with the most important triathletes from all over the world – underlined Giovanni Berrino, councilor of Tourism of Liguria Region – This prestigious event will be a great promotional opportunity for Sanremo and for our Riviera. A showcase attended by hundreds of people who love sport and our territory, multiplying the visibility of a land like ours welcoming and hospitable. The event to be held at the end of the summer season emphasizes the fact that in Liguria you can do outdoor sports at any time of the year in a beautiful territory that embraces the coast and the hinterland. The combination of sport and tourism is very tight and the investments that the Liguria Region makes to support this type of sporting events have a very important return on the tourism economy”.
“A spectacular and fascinating discipline like triathlon, in an equally spectacular and fascinating environment – said Claudio Scajola, president of Imperia province – our territory is the ideal stage for a sporting competition of international value such as the Challenge Sanremo, which crosses the typical suggestive views of the West Liguria between land and water. I wish the participants from many countries, lots of fun and a pleasant stay.
“The most cordial welcome to all those who have arrived in our city on the occasion of this important event – said Alberto Biancheri, mayor of Sanremo – The Sanremo Triathlon has become part of the Challenge Family international circuit which includes races in the most renowned locations in the world related to tourism and triathlon: a prestigious milestone for an event in our area that has enjoyed so much success and participation over the years. Sanremo welcomes this new edition with enthusiasm, once again offering truly exclusive routes. A sincere thanks to the organizers for the work done”.
“Sanremo is ready to host this great event, once again establishing itself as the stage for important sporting events – said Giuseppe Faraldi, councilor for sport of municipality of Sanremo – Triathlon manages to combine tourism and sport, relying on some attractive factors of our territory which presents itself as a real ‘open-air gym’. I am sure that this event will offer all participants the opportunity to experience intense days of sport and in Sanremo the opportunity to strengthen their image as a sports destination.
“A praise to Riviera Triathlon 1992 for the important work done in 30 years of activity, which has allowed them to achieve increasingly flattering results – said Massimo Rossano, budget councilor of municipality of Sanremo – As an enthusiast I can say that triathlon and the new swimrun discipline are fascinating and vigorous sports, capable of combining variety and intensity of effort. And the Sanremo Triathlon allows you to achieve all this, with a very special scenario: the beauties of our city, capable of attracting for its peculiarities”.
“A great sports event dedicated to the passion for triathlon. Liguria is preparing to host the first edition of the Challenge Sanremo: it will be an opportunity to celebrate the entry of the event into the prestigious international circuit ‘Challenge Family’, deserved recognition for an appointment that in the past season recorded the participation of over 1600 athletes from 25 countries – said Giovanni Malagò, president of Italian National Olympic Committee – Numbers that summarize the importance and depth of the event, a great opportunity to promote the territory – with a great sporting vocation – and at the same time the Olympic discipline that manages to involve more and more fans, with a special appeal. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Italian National Olympic Committee, I extend my sincere thanks to the ASD Riviera Triathlon ’92 and to anyone who contributed to the organization of the Challenge, addressing heartfelt encouragement to all participants, with the certainty that they will be able to give us a page special, full of emotions”.
“We are really happy that a Challenge event will land again in Italy in a particularly evocative scenario like Sanremo – said Riccardo Giubilei, president of Italian Triathlon Federation – Athletes, Italian and from abroad, will be able to compete on legendary routes and in which the Giro d’Italia has made history, between incomparable views and the blue sea of Liguria. I want to congratulate the organizers who, thanks to the close relationship with the local administrations and in the path traced by the Federation, which is to be closer to the territories that host us, have been able to keep faith with their commitment and set up an event like this even in a challenging circumstance like a concurring National Election day. This is the demonstration that the Italian organizers know how to overcome all difficulties and that they are able to offer races of the highest level. My good luck and my sincere wishes for good fun go to all the athletes who will compete for the victory in a race that I am sure will be spectacular”.
“We are very much looking forward to the inaugural edition of Challenge Sanremo and would like to thank Daniele Moraglia and his team, as well as the local community, for the opportunity to bring Challenge Family to the Italian Riviera – said Jort Vlam, CEO Challenge FamilyThe course is spectacular and we have no doubt it will become a classic on the international triathlon circuit as word gets out after this first edition what an honest course and stunning destination this is. Good luck to all the athletes racing and I hope you have a great day on Sunday as you make history at this first Challenge Sanremo. See you at the finish line!”.
LIVE STREAMING
Challenge Sanremo – middle distance race, scheduled for Sunday 25 September will be fully live streamed on YouTube Channel of Challenge Sanremo and Challenge Family with italian and english commentary.
