Team

SVEN HUNGERBUEHLER

When deciding to try triathlon as an obviously overweight handball player 10 years ago, Sven Hungerbühler didn’t dare dreaming of ever practicing this sport as a pro athlete. Yet in his first year ever starting on the long course he opted for 3 races. Lanzarote, Zürich and Hawaii. Four years later he raced to an amazing 18th place in Zürich and a 100th place in Hawaii. Despite never daring to dream of becoming a pro he opted for a professional license for the season 2008. That was after a 14th place finish at 70.3 and 2nd place at Bodenseetriathlon in 2007. A 12th place at 70.3 Rapperswil qualified Sven fort he Clearwater 70.3 World Championships and he raced in the top 10 of Ironman Switzerland the same year before bonking on the 3rd and last run lap and finishing 20th overall. A mistake he desperately planned to make forget in 2009. However some serious food poisining 2 days before the race made this goal impossible to reach. Still Sven line up at the start of the race – motivated by his innitiative Team Streetkids he was raising money for – and he finished the race. Overly exhausted -  the amazing support and money he was able to raise with his friends – made up for  any pre race frustration. It is with pride that he finished the race to show to the kids in need and the world – there is now easy way and no giving in, even if the ride ahead seems a little bumpy.

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TILL SCHENK

It wasn’t until 2001 when realizing that 40 hand rolled cigarettes are not good for you that Till Schenk decided to run his first marathon. A couple of years later – out of pure boredom and to impress his brothers who were racing triathlons already – Till agreed to be starting at a local triathlon with his brother Lutz. It was that day that he feel in love with the sport. Yet suffering from the aftermath of a very sever form of Epstein Barr Virus, Till was never able to train and race at his potential as training for more than an hour a day was made impossible by strong headaches and pain. It took no less than 6 years after his Epstein Barr Infection for Till to finish his first Half Distance Triathlon in the soaring heat in the dessert of Nevada. It was around that time that he heard of www.wecare4.ch and Team Streetkids for the first time and after talking to Swiss Triathlon Pro Ronnie Schildknecht who is regularly supporting the initiative, Till was immediately on board and started the ‘A jersey for an Orphan’ charity auction with his brother Lutz for which the both were able to get the best Ironman in the world to support the event with hand signed clothing and shoes. As a result of all the stress the glandular fever is still putting on Till’s body he will approach Challenge Copenhagen on an all natural nutrition plan. Home baked energy bars, home made energy gels, all home made nutrition.

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LUTZ SCHENK

Lutz Schenks first triathlon was a direct result of being bored with marathon running. He initially picked up sports in general for the same reason as Sven – being a little overweight – so he bought a rode bike and to this day, cycling is most certainly his strongest discipline. Rolling courses are his favorite as he can push over hills in higher gears than most others. It was a spectacular experience at 70.3 Rapperswil in 2007 that made him come back the year later and get into touch with Ronnie Schildknecht and Sven Hungerbühler, after coming up with the idea of forming a charity auction to support Team Streetkids. The initiative as well as the obvious dedication Sven was putting into this project convinced Lutz from now on to dedicate his effort in racing and training to this great cause whenever possible. Being the more realistic of the two brothers it is him who sees the entire spectrum of training for an IM all through the winter.