European Multisport Championships: A Weekend in Banyoles (Part II)

This is Part II of my recap from the European Multisport Championships in Banyoles. If you missed it, Part I covers what multisport racing actually is and why I made the trip.

Cheering for friends

I've known Kseniia and Rostyslav since our junior racing days. We've been friends for many years, so seeing them compete was one of the main reasons I came to Banyoles.

Kseniia raced on Saturday, so unfortunately I wasn't able to support her in person, but she still produced an excellent performance, finishing 13th in the Elite Aquathlon.

On Sunday, I was there to cheer for Rostyslav as loudly as I could. 😊

He finished 7th in the Elite Middle Distance Triathlon, and considering how brutal the weather conditions were, both Kseniia and Rostyslav delivered outstanding performances. Finishing inside the Top 15 and Top 10 respectively is something to be proud of.

According to Kseniia herself, her result came as something of a surprise. However, years of experience and countless hours of training allowed her to perform at a very high level.

As for Rostyslav, I honestly believed he had the ability to fight for a podium place. Based on the races he'd competed in earlier this season, the field looked competitive but certainly manageable for him.

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans.

The heat was absolutely relentless, and after around the 30-kilometre mark the race turned into a battle for survival. Racing in extreme temperatures can reduce physical performance dramatically, and even the strongest athletes struggle to maintain their usual level.

That's why I believe Rostyslav's finish deserves enormous respect. Simply making it to the finish line under those conditions, without withdrawing from the race, is already a victory in itself.

The elite winners

The Middle Distance titles went to Nicole van der Kaay of New Zealand and young Spanish triathlete Mikel Arrasate, both producing impressive performances.

There were also several strong performances from Ukrainian athletes throughout the championship.

In the Elite Aquathlon, Vitalii Vorontsov finished 9th. The level of competition was incredibly close: he was only 10 seconds away from 6th place and 30 seconds from the podium. The race was won by another promising young Spaniard, Jonay Álvarez Almazán.

In the Elite Cross Triathlon, Sofiia Pryma from the Lviv region finished inside the Top 5, while Spain's Marina Muñoz Hernando claimed victory.

In the women's Middle Distance Triathlon, the winner was Italy's Marta Bernardi.

More than just a race

The age-group Middle Distance race attracted the largest number of participants of the entire championship. Even so, compared with major commercial series such as IRONMAN or Challenge Family, the event still felt relatively intimate.

Nowadays, many athletes chase the prestige of a famous brand rather than the uniqueness of a race or the character of its location.

Personally, I think that's a shame.

I've loved Banyoles ever since my first visit back in 2012, a very memorable year for me, although that's a story for another time.

The town has a genuine passion for triathlon and endurance sports. The local people embrace the event, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and everything feels like it's built around athletes rather than marketing.

And honestly... what more could a triathlon fan like me ask for?

Great racing, passionate people, and a beautiful place to enjoy the sport.

That's exactly what this European Multisport Championship delivered.