Some said: “Hard to top!” others “good, good … but” and most of them are insiders or people how really understand something about that matter. In fact, it was the best “Challenge” ever and that´s not only of the perfect weather conditions. Of course, after the rainy and muddy “Challenge” really everyone wanted to show the real potential of this great event. And we did it! Thanks to all the hard work and of course the ideal weather this time the whole event was a great success and broke all records. There were 713 competitors from 17 countries. It was a really international event and this here in our sleepy corner. One reason for this rapid development is that the “O-SEE-CHALLENGE” joint the XTERRA-Events of the world family and can now compete with national events in France, Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, New Zealand, US and so on. It was a decision we have struggled for a long time because the XTERRA races have a high technical and organizational standard, which we have to guarantee as organizers and which results in additional costs (license charge, trophy money, raised advertising expenditure and so one). But I´m sure, it was the right decision for the event and the future of the nature park “Naturpark Zittauer Gebirge”. Now is the time to get more people involved.

Back to the main story: I think the O-SEE-CHALLENGE 2009 was very successful, full of “good vibrations”. We noticed it ourselves. We have never been so relaxed while doing our job. Thanks to our numerous helpers and the whole 8 year event experience, it was never before so well organized and easy to put up and dismantle O-SEE-CITY. The atmosphere around the “O-SEE” was defined by cosmopolitism, exuberance, fair play, fun and familiarity. O-SEE-FAMILY had a wonderful weekend. The AFTER-RACE-PARTY including Plainsteel rocked the O-SEE. But: until now we do a split between a festival and a professional sport event. O-SEE-CHALLENGE is not anymore an idea of a few people, now it is a matter of general and public interest. Unfortunate, most of the local responsible people and such how could potentially gain have not understood yet. Luckily is the general public one step ahead and takes on the event very well. From me as one the soul of the O-SEE-CHALLENGE is that tightrope walk clearly visible on a variety of examples – if you look behind the scene:

1. On the one hand does the O-SEE-CHALLENGE demonstrate, in an impressive way, the importance for this region. The name “O-SEE-CHALLENGE” is a brand and an effective advertising medium for the “Naturpark Zittauer Gebirge”. On the other hand are the interest and the reactions from across the border from Zittau and Olbersdorf for the event relative small.
2. On the on hand world elite of the cross-triathlon come on the O-SEE and on the other hand newspapers report in a style as if we had a small regional competition.
3. On the on hand the O-SEE-CHALLENGE is a top professionally organized event with a complex coordination down to the smallest detail and on the other hand is the raising of funds every year with a collection box more non professional. It´s extremely time consuming and connected with a bit of humility as well. Every year we are uncertain if the finance will work out (in the end all responsibility is down to a small committee and me).
4. On the on hand we present us good and our advertising and image is successful, on the other hand we don´t succeed to find top-class sport industry sponsors. I don´t want to complain. I like to show that never less of all the positive development there are still a lot of things to do to establish O-SEE-CHALLENGE as a lasting event of the “Naturpark Zittauer Gebirge”. The lately established cooperation with the tourism brand “Outdoor Land” is a good first step, but just the beginning of a lot of opportunities.