Next year, the first-ever triathlon tournament, "A100", will be held in Antarctica, the southernmost and coldest continent on the planet.
Idman.Biz reports that 50 athletes from all over the world will conquer the cold continent between February 26 and March 8, 2027.
The organizer of the event is Ilya Slepov, one of the strongest amateur triathletes in Russia and the world, "Ironman 70.3" world champion and Master of Sports in orienteering.
The competition will be held on King George Island near the Russian Bellingshausen Research Base. The route has been developed in accordance with Antarctic environmental requirements, so participants will only pass through designated areas where the impact on the landscape and fauna will be minimized.
As part of the race, athletes will cover a distance of 100 km: 1 km of swimming in the waters of the Southern Ocean at a temperature of approximately 0°C, a 66 km mountain bike ride and a 33 km run. The winner will be the one who covers the distance the fastest.
Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in scientific research, track their own progress and better understand how the body reacts to stress and extreme training. As part of their preparation, they will go to a specialized center that simulates Antarctic conditions, where they will undergo tests under the guidance of sports doctors and develop individual training regimes to optimize their preparation for the race.
During the race, athletes will live on sailing ships near the Bellingshausen Station. Each ship will have a guide who will show the most scenic places in Antarctica.