Berlin, Bern, 17^th August 2024 – After 14 years, the WORLD INLINE CUP has returned to Bern. In front of a magnificent backdrop on the Bundesplatz, the new course should demand everything from the athletes. The weather forecast had been a constant companion for the organisers in Bern in the days leading up to the event. Thunderstorm warnings and heavy rain were to be feared. For safety reasons, the course was shortened to a half marathon distance on race day.

Although there were fortunately no storms or heavy rain, the shortened course was still a tough one. The 3-kilometre circuit with start and finish in the heart of the city on Bundesplatz led the skaters after a few hundred metres to a long downhill section that demanded a lot from all participants. However, the top field of around 100 starters from 19 nations, some of whom had completed the 3rd stage of the WIC in Harbin, China, the previous weekend, faced further challenges on the course in Bern. After the downhill stage, the skaters faced a climb of up to 15% before heading back across the Bundesplatz for the next round. The seven laps demanded everything from both the men and women.

In the women's event, France's Aubane Plouhinec ultimately prevailed in a thrilling finish against Lianne van der Loon (NED) from the DOUBLEff World Inline Team and Gabriela Varga (COL) from the Arena Geisingen TEam. The weekend before, the top two were still in Harbin on the WIC marathon course, where Lianne van der Loon took first place.

In the men's event, it was the youngsters who sent the experienced top skaters to second and third place. The 18-year-old Czech Jilek Metodej from Team Arena Geisingen beat Nolan Beddiaf (FRA) Team FrSkates Tax Racing and Felix Rijhnen (GER) from Powerslide Racing Team on the last lap. With an average lap time of just over 5 minutes for the 3km circuit, the athletes showed top performances on this course in front of numerous spectators.

Women's Podium:

1. Place     Aubane Plouhinec (France)                            ALCBRS                                               43:01,09
2. Place     Lianne Van Loon (Netherlands)                    DOUBLEff - World Inline Team               43:03,37
3. Place     Gabriela Vargas (Colombia)                        Team Arena Geisingen                             43:03,45

Men's Podium:

1. Place     Jilek Metodej (Czeck Republic)                     Team Arena Geisingen                              35:55,94
2. Place     Nolan Beddiaf (France)                                 Team FrSkates Tax Racing                        35:56,60
3. Place     Felix Rijhnen (Germany)                               Powerslide Racing Team                           35:57,18

Following the Bern Marathon, the next stop of the WORLD INLINE CUP 2024 will be the final in Berlin, Germany on 28 September.

For further information, please visit www.world-inline-cup.com and/or contact:

Volker Schlichting

IGUANA Deutschland GmbH

Tel. +49 30 83 21 794 20

schlichting@iguana-deutschland.com