25 Years of the O-SEE: Inside the 2025 XTERRA European Championship

Some races test your fitness. Others shape your season. But a rare few become part of a legacy this deep. In the heart of Germany’s Zittau Mountains, the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge has spent 25 years building not just a course, but a culture, a community, and a festival atmosphere that has earned it its place alongside XTERRA Czech and XTERRA France as one of the most iconic events on the European circuit.

‍

In 2025, that legacy reaches new heights as the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge prepares to ring in a quarter century of racing in Zittau by hosting the XTERRA European Championship, its fifth time holding the region’s premier title race since first welcoming it back in 2011.

‍

From August 15–17, off-road triathletes from across the continent will once again descend on Olbersdorf to compete for European titles on a course known for its signature terrain, the iconic lake berm, and its grassroots spirit. New to the lineup is the first-ever XTERRA European Youth Championship, giving young athletes a championship stage of their own within the festival weekend.

‍

In this conversation, Klaus Schwager, who has been at the helm since the very beginning, shares how it all started, what it takes to build Germany’s biggest off-road weekend, and what’s in store for its most meaningful edition yet.

Can you take us back to the very beginning? We’ve heard the first “O-SEE Challenge” started as a spontaneous race among friends — can you tell us what really happened that day?

‍

“The first unofficial race was preceded by a beer bet. Back then, Lake Olbersdorf, or O-SEE, was an open-cast mine until 1989. It was then renaturalised for 10 years and suddenly we had a lake in front of the town.

‍

Some people started surfing on the lake. You always have the Zittau Mountains in front of you, especially the view of the most striking elevation, the Hochwald peak with its tower. At some point, over a beer by the lake, the surfers started discussing the possibility of swimming across the lake, then cycling to the ridge, and finally walking to the summit of the Hochwald mountain.

‍

I suggested we make a bet out of it. The winner would get a beer at the mountain restaurant. This challenge was met by five surfers in July 2000, and I was the first winner of the O-SEE Challenge.”

What do you remember or know about that first edition in 2000? How many people were involved, and what was the atmosphere like?

‍

“Back then, it was completely unspectacular. The five of us met at the lake, simply laid our bikes down on the beach, and a friend drove us to the other side of the lake for the start. Then we just started swimming, while Freude looked after the bikes.

‍

Everyone knew the bike route, so markings weren’t necessary. At the top of the mountain pass, the bikes were thrown onto a truck and then we ran up the mountain. None of us had ever done a triathlon before. We had no idea what we were doing. It was just fun. And at the finish line in the mountain hut, the party really got going.

‍

By the way, we always commemorate this event a week before the O-SEE Challenge with the O-SEE Retro. We do everything just like it was back then, with retro clothes and retro bikes. It’s fun. We don’t advertise the Retro at all, but there are always 30 to 50 people there. The challenge, however, is getting back down the mountain safely by bike in the evening. There have been some serious crashes.”

The XTERRA O-SEE Festival is now a behemoth event with a multi-day lineup of races and festivities. Was this format always part of the vision, or was there a moment when it became clear that this was the distinct flavour that would define the O-SEE Challenge?

‍

“No, of course we didn’t know at the beginning what would come of this bet. However, I already had the feeling in 2003 that the O-SEE Challenge had enormous potential.

‍

For two reasons: first, the landscape, the natural conditions, and the existing infrastructure at the lake are ideal for a special competition format like cross triathlon. Second, the people in the region are enthusiastic about sports, especially outdoor sports like climbing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and trail running are traditional here.

Thanks to this, there was a lot of support for the organization from the very beginning. Everyone was excited and thrilled every time it was another great event. We just had to succeed in conveying this spirit to the outside world. Around 2004, I contacted XTERRA. That was the breakthrough. In 2005, the German Triathlon Association took notice of us and we were allowed to host a German Championship for the first time.

‍

It was also very important to us to be there for the children, so we tested our first kids’ competition back in 2003. And so it went, year after year. Every year brought new developments, improvements, or adjustments. It was hard work, especially for me. I was the visionary, but the O-SEE Challenge is the result of 25 years of intensive teamwork. We all work really hard for it, but we also get a lot of joy from seeing how our baby is developing — without any commercial ulterior motives.”

Can you tell us a bit about the logistics behind transforming an empty patch of land into one of off-road triathlon’s biggest festival weekends? What goes into that and can give us a glimpse into the building of the village?

‍

“Yes, it’s amazing what happens during O-SEE week. It’s preceded by very precise planning. In my real working life, I run a planning office for technical installations, so I know how important it is to think things through in advance: the setup procedures, the logistics, the infrastructure, and the technology needed to set up and run the event.

‍

Precise schedules and site plans are drawn up, and there are several large meetings with the team. Around 30 people sit around the table, each with their own area of responsibility. The setup itself is part of the event and is formally celebrated. First, the area where the setup and organization team will be staying for the entire week is prepared, with kitchen trucks, party tents, beer taps, and numerous tents, followed by the venue itself.

‍

A lot of heavy equipment is used, including wheel loaders, cranes, and excavators. The municipal utilities set up a power supply, and we lay water pipes. In the evenings, we celebrate from Sunday to Thursday before the O-SEE Challenge begins. Approximately 120 people are involved in the setup. It’s all very amazing.”

Many athletes know about the bell — can you tell us where that tradition came from? Are there any other rituals or local touches that give the festival its unique character?

‍

“Yes, the bell was my idea. I think it was in 2015. Since then, it’s become an integral part of the event. I don’t remember how I came up with it, but it just seemed right for the O-SEE.”

2025 will mark the fourth time the O-SEE Challenge hosts the XTERRA European Championship. What did it mean to your team and community the first time you earned that title back in 2011, and what does it mean to be hosting it again as you celebrate 25 years?

‍

“Hosting the 2011 European Championships was very important to us. We had to cancel the 2010 O-SEE Challenge just 14 days before the competition because a flood disaster in Saxony made it impossible to hold the event. We were upset and unsure if we had the strength to continue in 2011. The European Championship was actually meant to take place in Sardinia, but as a gesture of support, the XTERRA boss at the time, Dave Nicholas, decided at the organisers’ meeting in Switzerland in the fall of 2010 to award it to Germany at Lake O-SEE. We were infinitely grateful to him and to the Italians for this.

‍

And we delivered. Everyone was full of praise, and you could feel the passion in the team to keep playing in this league, even though cross triathlon is more of a niche sport. That’s why it’s just as symbolic for us to host the European Championships again in our 25th anniversary year — a sign of continuity and consistency.”

For athletes always chasing new terrain to test themselves on, can you talk about what makes the landscape in Zittau unique — and what kind of racing experience it creates?

‍

“They say our Zittau Mountains Nature Park is the smallest low mountain range in Germany. In a relatively small area, you’ll find an enormous variety of landscapes: sandstone formations and fairy-tale-like rock formations here, volcanic cones there, gentle meadow hills, rugged rock faces. And everywhere there are picturesque villages with typical folk architecture, half-timbered houses combined with log cabin style.

‍

The landscape is an Eldorado for climbers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. The variety of trails that have built the O-SEE Challenge’s reputation is correspondingly large. Athletes can expect an epic MTB split — not two or three laps, but one 36K loop of pure variety, no repetitions. Physically demanding with 1,050 meters of elevation gain, technically challenging, and with a high fun factor. Few forest highways, plenty of cool downhills.

The run course, two laps of 5K, always stays near the lake. It is relatively flat by XTERRA standards, but varied and very spectator-friendly, creating an incomparable atmosphere. The swim, two laps of 750m with a land crossing in between, offers a lively start and a unique crowd connection.”

How would you describe each section of the course for someone racing at O-SEE for the first time? Are there any changes this year for returning athletes — or particular sections that athletes always talk about?

‍

“As already mentioned, the MTB route is the hallmark of the O-SEE Challenge — 36K of pure variety. 

‍

It begins with a 5K ride from the lake to the Zittau Mountains, a fast section along dirt roads with the mountains and the summit of the 749m Hochewald always in sight. This is followed by 7K of varied trails that gradually lead you to the summit. The last 2K are physically demanding, with 500 meters of elevation gain in total on this section. 

‍

At the summit tower, refreshments await before the part real mountain bikers love: 2K of challenging downhill. Then it’s 10K over meadows, hills, and countless trails, constantly up and down, past the romantic ruins of Oybin Castle, and into the resort town of Oybin after a rapid descent. From there, it’s the last 6K back to the lake — fast, flowing, and with a smile on your face.

The run split, two laps in total, is relatively flat and fast compared to other XTERRA events, but peppered with short, steep climbs. The highlight is crossing the earth pyramid and ringing the bell — a cult tradition and trademark of the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge. All the while, you’re surrounded by cheering spectators, with the route weaving through the local recreation area where summer bathers gather to watch.

‍

And what else should you be ready for? A huge celebration afterwards… with plenty of photos to prove it, year after year.”

This year’s lineup will also include the first-ever XTERRA European Youth Championship since the launch of the Youth Tour. What kind of experience are you hoping to create for the young athletes and their families?

‍

“The athletes and their families should feel that they are given exactly the same attention as the adults. And they should become curious about this beautiful region of the Zittau Mountains Nature Park – and come back. With family, with friends. For the next XTERRA or just to relax and explore the region.

‍

We’ve had the Kids Challenge as part of our event since 2004, and it’s always been important to us that children have their own stage. The Youth Tour now adds an extra layer, raising the competition level for young people enormously and attracting sports-mad families from around the world. It’s exciting to think some of these young athletes will go on to compete for Youth World Championship titles.”

The O-SEE Challenge has always had strong community roots. How do local residents, volunteers, and businesses help bring this event to life each year?

‍

“We have a term for this: the O-SEE Family. And that’s really how it is. Everyone feels involved in the event and like an equal member of the community, whether they are the main sponsor or a marshal, the host community or a setup volunteer. Everyone feels equally responsible for making the event a success.

‍

We started from nothing — without help from above, without an agency, without the all-important major sponsors. Everyone is proud of that. Now we have a solid foundation and can develop the event in the way we envision.”

With the event officially sold out, do you have any final words for the thousands of athletes and spectators heading to Zittau this August?

‍

“Welcome to one of the oldest and most traditional XTERRA events in the world. Enjoy the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge. It’s not just a competition, it’s a folk festival, and a matter close to the hearts of many people here in the region for 25 years.”

XTERRA returns to Germany this August 15–17 for a milestone edition of the XTERRA European Championship, hosted at the legendary O-SEE Challenge in Zittau. Celebrating 25 years of racing, this year’s festival will bring together elite athletes, age groupers, and youth competitors from across the continent for a weekend of high-stakes racing, community celebration, and XTERRA spirit.

‍

From the shores of Olbersdorfer See to the rugged climbs of the Zittau Mountains, the energy of O-SEE is something that has to be experienced to be understood. Follow the action and feel the atmosphere at XTERRA Europe on Instagram, as one of XTERRA’s most iconic destinations writes its next chapter and continues a legacy 25 years in the making.