Since 1983
The history
Austria's first triathlon was held at Lake Klopein in 1983. Then a 35-year break, and a comeback that stuck.
Timeline
From the beginnings to today
The timeline starts where the sport comes from, passes Austria's first triathlon in 1983 and the Klopeiner See trophies of the eighties, and ends with the upcoming edition.
- 1974Context
Where the sport comes from
Modern triathlon is invented in San Diego and the first race is held. Nine years later the sport arrives in Austria, right at Lake Klopein.
- 1978Context
The first Ironman
The first Ironman takes place in Hawaii and gives the long distance its name.
- 1983
Austria's first triathlon
ASKÖ Kärnten stages the 1st International Triathlon for the Klopeiner See Trophy, the first triathlon race in Austria: a 1.4 kilometre swim, 32 kilometres on the bike and 12 kilometres of running for 111 participants, seven of them women. Walter Furian wins in 2:06:29, Katharina Pasterk takes the women's race in 2:41:21. The oldest participant, 54-year-old Hans Plajer, receives a special honour after 2:44:10. Then things go quiet for 35 years.
- 19841 Jul 1984Context
The second Klopeiner See Trophy
On 1 July 1984 the course grows considerably: a 2.1 kilometre swim, 105.4 kilometres on the bike and 20.1 kilometres of running for 100 participants. Waldemar Leithner wins in 4:48:06 ahead of Rattensberger and Furian, while the women's title again goes to Katharina Pasterk in 5:52:04.
- 1985Context
The third Klopeiner See Trophy
152 participants take on a 2.265 kilometre swim, 112.5 kilometres on the bike and 22.8 kilometres of running. Anton Rattensberger wins the men's race, Katharina Pasterk the women's for the third time in a row.
- 1986Context
An unofficial race for everyone
Fredi Plieschounig starts an unofficial triathlon open to all, laying the foundation for the Gösselsdorf people's triathlon. Viktor Pasterk and Katharina Pasterk take the wins.
- 1987Context
The Gösselsdorf people's triathlon begins
With a 500 metre swim, 32 kilometres on the bike and 7 kilometres of running, the most tradition-rich sports event in southern Carinthia gets under way with 131 participants. Walter Zettining wins in 1:22:37 and Ulrike Traninger in 1:38:26. The people's triathlon has been held every year since, missing only 2020.
- 1989Context
The South Carinthian mountain triathlon
A course with real bite: 1,000 metres straight across Lake Gösselsdorf from the east to the west shore, 26.5 kilometres by bike up to the Eisenkappler Hütte and a 2.5 kilometre run to the Rainer Schutzhaus at 2,045 metres below the summit of the Hochobir.
- 1991Context
Austrian championships in Gösselsdorf
The village community of Gösselsdorf hosts the Austrian middle distance championships: a 2.4 kilometre swim, 82 kilometres on the bike and 20 kilometres of running in Carinthia's lowlands.
- 1999Context
The first Ironman Austria
The first Ironman Austria is held in Klagenfurt. The long distance race at Lake Wörthersee puts Carinthia on the international triathlon map.
- 201816 Sept 2018
The resurrection
35 years after the premiere, the Südkärntner Triathlon returns to Lake Klopein on 16 September 2018 as a middle distance race. It is organised by an alliance of three regional clubs: DG Tri-Team Gösselsdorf, LG Südkärnten and Schwimmtechnik Gebauer. With 450 participants the revival succeeds at the first attempt. Daniel Niederreiter wins in 4:07:02 ahead of Christian Nindl and Thomas Angerer, with Anna Przybilla taking the women's race in 4:34:12.
- 201915 Sept 2019
Move to the Bellevue Alm lido
For the second edition the entire race site moves from the Campingbad Nord to its current home at the Bellevue Alm lido, and the bike course is adjusted for safety reasons. 440 starters take up the challenge. Sebastian Hanusch wins in 4:08:24 ahead of Christian Nindl and Christian Haas; in the women's race the previous year's runner-up Gabriele Obmann takes the title in 4:41:02.
- 2020cancelled
Cancelled
The third edition planned for 13 September 2020 has to be postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the only year without a race since the resurrection.
- 202112 Sept 2021
Back at the lake
After the cancelled year the race is back on. Despite many other events postponed into the same September, 144 athletes come to Lake Klopein. Thomas Angerer wins in 4:10:24 ahead of Thomas Messner and Jürgen Kühschweiger; Enikö Molnar takes the women's race in 4:54:12.
- 202211 Sept 2022
Course record under four hours
218 starters, and the four-hour barrier falls for the first time: Andreas Silberbauer sets a new course record of 3:58:28, with runner-up Peter Müllner also staying under it. Thomas Messner finishes third. In the women's race Susanne Aumüller wins in 4:30:01 ahead of defending champion Enikö Molnar and Ines Jölli.
- 202310 Sept 2023
The first small anniversary
238 athletes turn up for the fifth edition. Thomas Messner, third the year before, wins in 4:06:15 ahead of Thomas Angerer and Stephan Benedikt. In the women's race Gabriele Obmann wins in 4:34:58, her second victory at Lake Klopein after 2019.
- 202415 Sept 2024
The Olympic Distance joins for the first time
Alongside the established middle distance, 2024 brings an Olympic distance race for the first time. A cold snap the week before keeps some starters away, yet 289 athletes race, 189 of them over the long course. Stephan Benedikt wins the Middle Distance eleven seconds over the four-hour mark ahead of Andrii Onyshenko and Jan-Roelf Heerssema, while Franziska Zuder takes the women's title in 4:45:25. The Olympic Distance premiere goes to Herbert Enzinger and Lena-Maria Aichner.
- 202514 Sept 2025
Fun Triathlon and kids join in
In perfect weather the programme grows to two race days: on Saturday a Fun Triathlon over 300 metres, 13.3 and 3.3 kilometres and a dedicated kids' race start for the first time. 52 finishers in the Fun Triathlon, for many their first triathlon ever, plus 50 children across the line. Herbert Enzinger wins the Middle Distance ahead of Peter Müllner and Stephan Benedikt, with Hanna Völkl beating Franziska Zuder and Sophie Amesberger in the women's race. Christoph Lorber takes the Olympic Distance narrowly ahead of Peter Ceplak and Roman Seigmann.
- 202613 Sept 2026this year
The eighth edition
On 12 and 13 September 2026 the Südkärntner Triathlon takes place for the eighth time since its resurrection. Five races on two days, all starting and finishing at the Bellevue Alm lido.
