Verena Steinhauser

Making her Super League debut in last year’s Championship Series, the 28-year-old immediately became one of the most consistent performers on the start-line. Eighth in London, seventh in Munich, sixth in Malibu and eighth in Toulouse was backed up by another seventh place in the season finale in NEOM to place her fifth overall as she helped Fan Team Cheetahs to third in the team standings.

It sparked a run of form that saw her end the season with an eighth in the World Series in Bermuda and 14th at the World Triathlon Championship finals in Abu Dhabi, before carrying it into this year with ninth in the World Series opener on a return to the UAE. Two more top 10s in the European Games in the individual and mixed relay event have followed as she continues to compete at the sharp end of racing.

Originally from Bressanone in northern Italy, but now living and training in Pescara, it would be fair to claim that running was in her blood, given that she was inspired by her mother to first lace up the trainers aged just five.

Starting with junior events, Steinhauser became Italian senior champion in 2016, and was runner-up last year to experienced Super League Triathlon racer and Tokyo Olympian Alice Betto.

Despite all her experience, Steinhauser has a refreshing attitude to her role in the sport: “Being a professional athlete is one of the most amazing jobs ever,” she says. “You can live by doing what you love.”

Coached by Simone Mantolini, Steinhauser was enjoying an impressive 2022 even before her Super League debut, reaching the final round of the elimination format racing in the Montreal World Triathlon Championship Series that closely mirrors SLT racing.

She also had top 10 finishes over the sprint distance on home soil in Arzachena, Italy – where she had the honour of wearing the No 1 bib – and in the super sprint indoor format in France. 

After a hard race, Steinhauser loves to tuck into a hamburger and fries, admitting that while it might not always be the optimal way to recover, sometimes she just needs it. Many of us will attest to that.