Formosa Xtreme Triathlon is also part of the X-Point system. Finishing the race will give you 150 X-Points. Read more about X-points and join the tribe here.
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Helen Webster:
So we have two really special guests now in our Norseman Media Room. So welcome. We’ve got Roann and Jovi, and you guys of the organizers of the Formosa Xtreme Triathlon, which is our Taiwanese XTRI tour race, so welcome.
Jovi:
Hi.
Roann:
Hi everyone. We are from Taiwan.
Helen:
It’s so good to see both of you here. And I think you couldn’t probably get a race more different to Norseman than Formosa. So can you just tell me about the course? So describe what the swim’s like, and then what the bike and run courses are like.
Roann:
You mean Formosa Xtreme Triathlon?
Helen:
Yeah. Yeah.
Roann:
I think the most difficult part is from zero elevation to around 4,000, because we start from a lake beside the sea, and then we just go, keep going up to the top of the mountain. And the weather is like from…
Jovi:
…28 Celsius degress?
Roann:
28 degrees at sea level, and the finish line is like zero.
Helen:
Wow!
Roann:
So athletes has to prepare many things for the race. And yeah, it’s really difficult. And the total elevation is around 7,000 meters.
Helen:
That`s a lot of climbing.
Roann:
Yes, a lot of climbing. It’s like just keep going up. There’s no flat rolls, it’s just like keep going up. Yes. And the view is really, really beautiful.
Helen:
And how is the water? Because people here, they are obsessed with the water temperature. What’s the swimming like in Taiwan?
Roann:
Compared to Norseman, I think our swim part is really easy.
Helen:
That doesn’t surprise me.
Roann:
Yeah. The temperature is around 20 Celsius.
Jovi:
Yeah. 24 Celsius maybe.
Roann:
20 – 24. Yes. It’s super warm compared to Norseman. But we have flow. It`s not really flat lake.
Helen:
So there’s some movement in the water to contend with?
Roann:
Yes.
Helen:
And then lots of climbing. So you must see some pretty tired athletes at that finish line.
Roann:
Yes. Pretty tired. And I think all the finishes were crying at the finish line.
Jovi:
Yeah. Everyone crying.
Jovi:
There are really top athletes in Taiwan, but we never seen them cry at the finish line. But when they come to Formosa Xtreme Triathlon, it’s like their first time doing triathlon. They all cry like a little boy.
Helen:
Oh, you should put that on T-shirts like, “Formosa, the race that makes triathletes cry.”
Jovi:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s good! So good, right?
Roann:
Slogan. You can see that next year on the T-shirt.
Helen:
Oh, I love it. I love it. And so what is triathlon like in Taiwan? Are the Taiwanese very into triathlon?
Roann:
Yes. I think it’s really, really special because not everyone know Taiwan. Not everyone know Taiwan is a country. It’s really small country, but we have a lot of triathletes, and people really love it. And for another race in Taiwan, we have around 7,000 athletes.
Helen:
Wow.
Roann:
Yes. During the week, it’s like a triathlon festival, and people join this sport, and they come with their friends and family. That is why we want to spread triathlons. Yeah.
Helen:
Yeah. And you were telling me just off camera before that people across the country, they really follow the Xtri race, your race in Taiwan, And then they really want to see how people are doing, so the triathletes become celebrities in a way.
Roann:
Yes. That is really special for us because all the finishers in Formosa Xtreme triathlon, they will become a hero. They have many fans, and they open fan pages, and also they have pictures, and right now, they are heroes, and people already follow their things. This time we have like 20 Taiwanese people coming to Norseman to support their athletes.
Helen:
Wow. So this is your first time in Norway?
Roann and Jovi:
Yes.
Helen:
So welcome to Eidfjord. Are you enjoying it, being here?
Roann:
Yeah, sure. Of course. It’s really, really, really beautiful.
Helen:
And how many athletes do you have actually competing on Saturday?
Jovi:
Four athletes.
Helen:
Okay. And have they prepared, do you think? What do you think the challenges will be?
Roann:
Oh, they are well-prepared. They have prepared for a year, I think.
Roann:
Yes. They are really excited for this, and for them, it’s a dream. A dream they have to do, and so I think they are all prepared for it.
Helen:
They’re ready to go.
Roann:
Yes.
Helen:
And will people back home be watching them?
Roann:
Oh, they are well-prepared. They have prepared for a year, I think.
Roann:
Yes. A lot of people watching them. And we have Taiwanese athletes, they tell their friends to supporting Taiwan on Norseman fanpage. So you can see there is a post, and there are many comments say, “Go Team Taiwan. Go Team Taiwan.”
Helen:
I love that. That is brilliant. Great. So if people want to support your athletes, then check out, “Go Team Taiwan.” And if you fancy racing out in Taiwan, then Formosa Xtreme Triathlon is the place to do it. Fantastic. We wish you all the best with your future races, and thank you ever so much for coming out here to Eidfjord to see us, and it was lovely to talk to you both. Thank you.
Roann:
Thank you so much. Hope we can see you in Taiwan one day.
Jovi:
Yeah, maybe one day.
Helen:
Oh, I’d love to.
