Swissman Xtreme Triathlon
Ascona (start) to Kleine Scheidegg / Grindelwald (finish), Switzerland · June · Other (XTRI World Tour)
Why people love it
- Point-to-point from palm-lined Lake Maggiore to the Eiger
- Three alpine passes (Gotthard, Furka, Grimsel) up to 2,436 m (7,992 ft)
- Cowbell finish for every athlete at Kleine Scheidegg (2,061 m (6,760 ft) / 6,762 ft)
- Small field (about 250); mandatory support crew gives a family-style atmosphere
Watch out for
- Slot lottery, no deferrals
- Mandatory support person and vehicle
- Weather volatility: swim cancelled or shortened in 2016 and 2019, snow and hail in 2015 and 2024
- Finish rates only about 65-74% in bad years
- Cutoffs and entry fee not found
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionBucket list4.6
A bucket-list event. Slowtwitch coverage from 2016-2022 and Swiss press praise the scenery and the cowbell finish for every athlete. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.4
About 120 volunteers, paramedics and army support. It handled the 2016 swim replacement and 2024 pass uncertainty well. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyExperts only1.0
A mandatory support crew, minimal aid, a slot lottery and extreme weather swings. For experienced athletes only. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.0
Winners take about 11:15-11:20 and finishers up to 15-19 hours, with about 5,575 m (18,290 ft) of total climbing. · High confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.0
226 km (140 mi) with 5,575 m (18,290 ft) of climbing, three passes up to 2,436 m (7,992 ft), and 26-30% DNF in bad years. · High confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.8
Water is about 18-20 °C (64-68 °F), below the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit. Wetsuits are optional and allowed. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.6
About 20 °C (68 °F) in 2018 but cold and windy in 2024. Typically 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). · Medium confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.2
Lake Maggiore is usually calm, but there were storms in 2016 and 2019, waves in 2023 and light swell in 2024. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeModerate3.4
3.8 km (2.4 mi) point-to-point from a deep-water boat start, depending on the weather. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.4
A dawn ferry start from the Brissago Islands beneath the mountains. Storms shortened or replaced the swim in 2016 and 2019. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.8
Swiss pass roads are generally well maintained, with optional cobbled Tremola on the Gotthard. No complaints found. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.7
Public alpine roads are not closed. Little traffic was reported in 2022, but cars share the passes in bad weather. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.9
Every report highlights the Gotthard Tremola, Furka and Grimsel scenery. · High confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
Headwinds in 2015 and 2023, with valley and pass exposure. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedVery slow1.0
Three passes up to 2,436 m (7,992 ft) and about 3,100-3,800 m (10,200-12,500 ft) of gain. Nearly all of it is climbing or descending. · High confidence
- Bike flatnessMountainous1.0
Officially about 3,146 m (10,320 ft), with other sources up to 3,770 m (12,370 ft) over the Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel. · High confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical1.8
Long switchback descents from high passes, sometimes in rain, hail or snow. The Tremola cobbles are optional. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.2
A cowbell finish at Kleine Scheidegg for every athlete and supporters on the climbs, but sparse otherwise. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsThin1.9
Minimal on-course support. Athletes rely on their own crew. · Medium confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.9
Giessbach falls, Lake Brienz, Grindelwald and an Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau finish. · High confidence
- Run conditionsBrutal1.1
A marathon after 180 km (112 mi) of alpine riding, with a finishing climb that requires a supporter. Hot in 2023, cold in other years. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessBig climbs1.0
About 1,980 m (6,500 ft) of gain, ending with a 10 km (6 mi) climb to 2,061 m (6,762 ft). · High confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureHarsh2.4
A 5-25 °C (41-77 °F) range, with snow and hail in 2015 and 2024 and heat in 2023. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled1.5
Thunderstorms replaced the 2016 swim with a run and cut the 2019 swim to 1 km (0.6 mi). Snow hit in 2015 and 2024. · High confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.9
From Lake Maggiore palms to the Eiger north face. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.5
A point-to-point across Switzerland. Crews drive the course and spectators can join on the run. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeElevated1.8
The bike tops out at 2,436 m (7,992 ft) and the finish is at 2,061 m (6,762 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Tourist regions with plentiful stays but peak-season demand at Grindelwald. Little race-specific information. · Low confidence
- Hotel valuePricey1.8
Swiss prices in Ticino and Grindelwald in June. No direct reviews found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityMostly driving1.8
The start in Ascona, T2 in Brienz and the finish at Kleine Scheidegg are far apart. Crews drive and athletes train back. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.3
Fly to Zurich or Milan Malpensa and use excellent Swiss trains. Bike transport is easy. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsComplex1.4
Point-to-point with a ferry to the start, T1 in Ascona, T2 in Brienz, a mandatory support vehicle and a train back. · High confidence
- Town and foodGood4.3
Ascona, Brienz and Grindelwald are well-served tourist towns. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Ascona (start) to Kleine Scheidegg / Grindelwald (finish), Ticino to Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 26 June 2027
- Organiser
- Other (XTRI World Tour)
- Field size
- About 250 athletes
- First held
- 2013
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lago Maggiore, Brissago Islands to Ascona (lake)
- Water temperature
- 18–20 °C (64–68 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional (wetsuit, neoprene cap and socks allowed; gloves not)
- Swim start
- deep-water (ferry to start, 5am)
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 3,146 m (10,320 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Gotthard Pass; Furka Pass (2,436 m); Grimsel Pass
- Run climbing
- 1,980 m (6,500 ft)
- Run laps
- 1
- Air temperature
- 5–25 °C (41–77 °F)
- Altitude
- 2,436 m (7,990 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Zurich (ZRH) or Milan Malpensa for start; Zurich/Bern for finish
- Where to stay
- Ascona/Locarno (start), Brienz (T2), Grindelwald (finish)
- Booking
- Point-to-point; crews and athletes often spend night at Kleine Scheidegg; train back from finish
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch - Inside the 2018 SwissmanRaced 2018 · article · Positive
Describes a ferry-to-start 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim at about 20 °C (68 °F), a climb-heavy bike over Gotthard and Furka with lingering snow, and a run ending with a 10 km (6 mi) ascent to Kleine Scheidegg. Notes the mandatory support person on the final climb and 213 of 239 finishing.
- Slowtwitch - The 2022 SwissmanRaced 2022 · article · Positive
Clear sunny edition with 213 athletes from 35 nations. Roads had little traffic, crews supported on climbs, and winners finished in about 11:19 men and a third straight women's title.
- Slowtwitch - Tough conditions at 2019 SwissmanRaced 2019 · article · Mixed
Rain, cold and an approaching thunderstorm forced a shortened 1 km (0.6 mi) swim; snow remained at altitude and many riders chose road bikes. Sun returned for the run. 218 athletes from 40 countries started.
- Slowtwitch - The always stunning Swissman in picturesRaced 2017 · article · Positive
Photo essay of a clear, mild 2017 race with 241 starters and no drafting packs. Highlights alpine scenery, switchback passes and hilly run where friends can join; winner Alain Friedrich in 11:57.
- Slowtwitch - A Swissman GalleryRaced 2016 · article · Mixed
Thunderstorms forced a last-minute change in 2016: the swim was replaced by a 4 km (2.5 mi) run. The 238 starters still rode the passes and finished at Kleine Scheidegg near 2,100 m (7,000 ft).
Show 6 more
- SWISSMAN official - 2023 reportRaced 2023 · article · Mixed
Waves and wind made the Brissago-to-Ascona swim harder than expected, a steady headwind hit the passes, and heat arrived for the marathon. Only 159 of 230 starters finished; leaders lost about an hour.
- SWISSMAN official - 2024 (10th edition)Raced 2024 · article · Mixed
Heavy snow left pass openings uncertain until the night before. Swim was cold and windy; rain, hail and snow struck after the Grimsel, hitting the back half of the field. 177 of 238 finished.
- SWISSMAN official - 2013 inaugural reportRaced 2013 · article · Positive
First edition: 50 starters, 44 finishers in bad weather. Winner Markus Stierli said he went far beyond his limits; Emma Pooley won the women's race despite a mechanical.
“went far beyond the limits that I had set”
- Plattform J (Swiss local press)Raced 2015 · article · Positive
Coverage of the 2015 edition: rain, hail and snow on the passes in near-freezing temperatures. About 120 volunteers, paramedics and army support looked after ~250 athletes; cowbells greeted every finisher until nearly midnight.
- SWISSMAN official - course and FAQarticle · Positive
Explains the 5,575 m (18,290 ft) of climbing, the Tremola on the Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel passes, and that athletes climb to Kleine Scheidegg with supporters. FAQ allows wetsuits and neoprene cap/socks but not gloves; one support vehicle per athlete.
- Finishers.com listingaggregator · Mixed
Lists 180 km (112 mi) bike with 3,770 m (12,370 ft) and 42 km (26 mi) run with 1,990 m (6,530 ft), 5,760 m (18,900 ft) total climbing, Ascona start; no user reviews shown.
Sources
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