A day that demanded improvisation, resilience, and weatherproof spirit: The SWISSMAN Xtreme Triathlon 2025 tested everyone involved even before the race began. Quick decision-making was required before the first stroke in the water, setting the tone for a day full of dramatic weather. From Brissago Island in Ticino to Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Eiger North Face, the course once again demanded everything from the athletes and presented weather conditions that were anything but predictable. A total of 248 athletes from 43 nations took on the 5,575 meters of elevation and 226 kilometers, including 31 women and 217 men. 227 of them reached the finish line—a powerful testament to endurance, courage, and determination.
Even the 2 a.m. wake-up call brought a first: With around 20°C, it was warmer and more humid than ever before at that hour. The night was tropical, and the weather situation unstable. When potential thunderstorms appeared just before 5 a.m., the organizing committee acted swiftly and prudently: Due to the weather, the planned long swim course had to be shortened. The start was delayed by 15 minutes and took place on a safe course along the shore.
The shortened swim led to unusually high activity in the transition zone and increased the pace on the bike course. The first athletes mounted their bikes about 30 minutes earlier than usual, and large groups stayed together longer before the field began to stretch out on the climb to the Gotthard. Conditions on the bike course remained good for a long time, and the lead group was extremely fast.
In the afternoon, the predicted weather shift arrived. Local, sometimes intense thunderstorms rolled in, challenging both the back of the bike field and the front of the run course. Since the hailstorms were unpleasant but not dangerous for the athletes, the organizing committee decided to let the SWISSMAN continue. The second wise decision of the day—after all, the name “Xtreme Triathlon” has to be earned. When the first athlete reached Kleine Scheidegg, he was greeted by a heavy hailstorm.
On this day, the Swissman displayed the full range of weather extremes: from a tropical night under palm trees in Ascona to icy hailstorms at high altitude on Kleine Scheidegg. Overnight, the sky finally cleared. At the finisher ceremony, athletes, supporters, and crew were welcomed by radiant sunshine—a conciliatory end to a demanding day.
Canadian Samuel Cote was the first man to cross the finish line at Kleine Scheidegg at 16:02. He was followed by Swiss athlete Nicola Buchs at 16:21, about 20 minutes later. Meik Randegger, also from Switzerland, finished at 16:37, placing third among the men. The first woman to finish was Finnish athlete Maisa Tuliniemi, arriving at 17:57. Swiss athlete Yael van der Geest followed at 18:23. At 19:02, Karianne Lancee from the Netherlands completed the women’s podium.
