Brothers from Bad Häring Make Their Mark at the Thiersee Triathlon

Last updated on 19.08.2026 | Kufsteinerland

THIERSEE – 905 participants, summery weather, and a winner from the Kufsteinerland region: At the eighth edition of the Thiersee Triathlon on Sunday, the lake once again became a gathering place for elite, recreational, and youth athletes. Jelle Kaindl from Bad Häring won the Olympic-distance race—one year after his brother Tjebbe.

Participants compete in the swimming event at the 2026 Thiersee Triathlon—surrounded by the green countryside of the Kufsteinerland region. © Kufsteinerland / Mario Huber

A 1,500-meter swim in Lake Thiersee, a 40-kilometer bike ride, and a 10-kilometer run: With 432 starters, the Olympic distance was the largest event of the day. With an air temperature of 27 degrees and a water temperature of 25 degrees, Jelle Kaindl prevailed in 1:59:23, ahead of Daniel Niederreiter and Nicolas Kaufmann. In the women’s race, Katharina Loidl won in 2:17:32, ahead of Pia Pfeiffer and Vanessa Mader.

For Kaindl, the victory marked a special first: it was his debut at the Olympic distance. The fact that he stood atop the podium at Thiersee, of all places, also continues a small Kufsteinerland [LS2] family tradition. His brother Tjebbe Kaindl had won the Olympic distance in 2025, when the Austrian National Championships were held at Thiersee. Even on the drive there together, he had been confident that his brother could follow in his footsteps. Both are from Bad Häring and know the training conditions among the lakes, roads, and mountains of the Kufsteinerland region intimately.

Jelle Kaindl, winner of the Olympic-distance race, crosses the finish line against the impressive mountain backdrop of the Kufsteinerland region. © Kufsteinerland / Mario Huber

The sprint distance also produced clear winners: Florian Lang won the men’s race in 1:08:43, while Alena Geilo claimed the women’s title in 1:16:10. A total of 905 participants took to the starting line in the various events. In addition to the Olympic and sprint distances, the program included children’s and youth races, relays, and a fun run. The younger generation was particularly well represented: 247 children participated.

Thomas Trainer from Tri & Run Thiersee coaches a young talent at the 2026 Thiersee Triathlon in the Kufsteinerland region. © Kufsteinerland / Mario Huber

Thus, the eighth edition once again demonstrated the important role that triathlon plays in Thiersee and the Kufsteinerland region. Since the founding of Tri & Run Thiersee in 2018, the event has become a fixture on the regional sports calendar, combining competitive sports with recreational sports and youth development.

“The enthusiasm for sports in the region and the combination of the lake, roads, and mountains create excellent conditions in the Kufsteinerland for competition and training at a very high level,” said Georg Hörhager, chairman of the Kufsteinerland Tourism Association, at the awards ceremony, expressing his delight at the large field of participants and the results of the eighth Thiersee Triathlon.

Mark your calendars: The ninth Thiersee Triathlon will take place on August 15, 2027.