WELCOME

The WATER FIRE TRIATHLON-EXTREME ETNA, the first and only Extreme Triathlon race in the world on one of the most spectacular active volcanoes on Earth and the most active in Europe – Mount Etna. You will have a completely unique experience; swim in Taormina in the shadow  of all  3400 metres of the peak that is Etna, ride along its slopes on roads bordered by ancient and recent lava flows and finally run up this most iconic of mountains to  3000 metres and  the Etna Observatory. This race has a staggering total ascent of around 6900 metres. History and mythology combine to create a landscape that will give you unique emotions. It promises to be an ancestral journey in the primitive waters of the Mediterranean Sea and mythology, along the roads of ancient magna graecia and finally on the lava fields that guard the volcano dating back to  the Quaternary era (500,000 years ago). You will immerse yourself it its immenseness, beauty and power.

Globally recognised due to  its intense and continuous eruptive activity, Etna is located within the Etna Regional Park It is one of the most studied and visited volcanoes in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013.

We have tested the routes of  in the WATER FIRE TRIATHLON – EXTREME ETNA in a test event that saw staff and athletes of the X-Sport Green Triathlon company reach up to Etna, an experience full of adventure and with a thorough sense of satisfaction. You will not be alone as you will share Etna with your supporter who will support through the race and particularly its  most challenging moments.

To make your experience in Sicily even more exciting, we are offering excursions including a visit to Taormina-Giardini Naxos, a visit to Mount Etna aboard off-road vehicles and also  swimming across of the Strait of Messina, a 3.5 km swim organised for those who want to experience the thrill of swimming in the deep waters of the Strait.

For every detail, consult the www.waterfiretriathlon.com website  – excursions section.

All that remains is for me to wish you an exciting WATER FIRE TRIATHLON. YOU, ATHLETE, will share your breath with that of Etna.

Luca Mancuso

President of the Organizing Committee

PROGRAM

Friday, October 24, 2025

Taormina – Palazzo dei Congressi Maps

From 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. registration, race pack collection, equipment check;

From 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. mandatory briefing in Italian;

From 5:45 pm to 6:30 pm mandatory briefing in English;

From 6:30 p.m. welcome aperitif.

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Giardini Naxos-Struttura Lido di Naxos Maps

03:30 am at Lido di Naxos GPS collection, opening of the T1 transition area, bike check. Important: the GPS will be given directly to the athlete with a race bib;

05:00 am T1 transition area closes;

Ore 05:30 presso Lido Lorenzina Beach Taormina START WFT – EXTREME ETNA Maps

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Linguaglossa – Loc. Piano Provenzana Maps

6:00 p.m. expected arrival of the first athlete;

01:00 am closing of the WFT – EXTREME ETNA race.

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Taormina – Palazzo dei Congressi

12:30 p.m. WFT awards ceremony – EXTREME ETNA;

2:00 p.m. buffet and final greetings.

NOTES ON THE PROGRAM

The T1 is 3 km from the start of the swimming hamlet of Taormina. Athletes must be accompanied to the START by their supporter who will then have to return to T1 and give assistance during the swim/bike change. Athletes and supporters can choose to be accompanied to the START via a shuttle service, which will depart from T1 at 05.10.

Parking:

To reach Palazzo dei Congressi in Taormina: Porta Catania parking Maps and then walk a short distance to the start.

For the swim start: Via Madonna delle Grazie, side street of Via Nazionale SS 114 Orientale Sicula, Maps or Maps

In T1: Via Schisò Maps.

In T2: Piano Provenzana Park Maps.

PARTICIPATION

Athletes who are at least 20 years old and are regularly registered with their Triathlon Federation or who subscribe to the Fitri. Daily membership is available at a cost of € 30.00 upon presentation of a competitive medical certificate (issued exclusively in Italy) will be able to participate in the WATER FIRE TRIATHLON – EXTREME ETNA valid for triathlon. It is recommended, for foreign athletes, to sign the membership with their Triathlon Federation to which they belong, this to avoid difficulties in issuing the certificate in Italy.

The WFT-EXTREME ETNA is a sporting event in which the athlete is subjected to intense physical and mental effort, by registering the participants consciously take note of it.

CANCELLATION

In the event of the athlete’s inability to participate in the race, the registration fee paid will not be refunded. However, it will be possible to transfer the registration for the 2026 edition by sending an email to  info@waterfiretriathlon.com no later than September 25, 2025. Under no circumstances may registration be transferred to third parties.

FAILURE TO CARRY OUT

In the event of cancellation before the start of the event or during the event, due entirely to the proven negligence of the organiser, the athlete must be refunded 100% of the registration fee. In the event that the event is cancelled and/or postponed to another date due to force majeure and/or reasons not attributable and/or not referable in whole or in part to the fault  of the organisation, including the revocation of the authorisation to carry out by the competent and relevant public bodies, no entry fee shall be refunded and the organisation shall have no further liability whatsoever.

The submission of the registration application shall be deemed to constitute a full acceptance of this clause and express waiver of any claim resulting from the cancellation and/or postponement of the race not attributable to the organisers as envisaged in this clause.

FEE AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Registrations must  be made via the website www.waterfiretriathlon.com the registration section no later than 11:59 pm on 15 October 2025 by filling in the appropriate fields.

Your registration is confirmed only after having made the payment by bank transfer or credit card within 5 days of the registration itself, otherwise the athlete will lose the right to the bib and to maintain the fee in force at the time of registration.

Online registrations are open until the maximum number of athletes set at 200 participants is reached.

Registration fee:

€ 350.00 until 15.04.2025;

€ 375.00 until 15.07.2025;

€ 400.00 until 15.10.2025.

The registration fee includes:

• Race pack;
• souvenir  WFT – EXTREME ETNA;
• chip;
• GPS (provided at Bike Check-in on the day of departure);
• race bib;
• swimming cap  WFT – EXTREME ETNA;
• luminous swim buoy;
• sticker kit for: bike, helmet, bags, tattoo, car support;
• three bags to be used to store the race material and for the arrival in Linguaglossa – Loc. Piano Provenzana;
• T-Shirt for one person of the support staff (at a cost of € 15.00 more jerseys will be provided if the Team is made up of more than one person);
• luggage transport service;
• medical assistance;
• sea assistance;
• video of the event and photo shoot downloadable from the website www.waterfiretriathlon.com;
• welcome aperitif on Friday 24 October at Taormina – Palazzo dei Congressi;
• refreshments at aid stations;
• participation prize for all finishers;
• 2 Pasta Party vouchers for Sunday 26 October at Palazzo dei Congressi;
• Possibility to download the participation diploma on the www.icron.it website.

The collection of the race pack and any other material can only take place by the athlete registered for the competition on October 24 from 14:00 to 18:30 at Taormina – Palazzo dei Congressi.

RACE DESCRIPTION

Swim :

3.8 km starting from Taormina and arriving in Giardini Naxos. The course will be marked by directional and turning buoys. Assistance in the water will be provided by support boats and canoes.

Consult the www.waterfiretriatholn.com website  – routes section.

Bike

180 km starting from Giardini Naxos and arriving in Linguaglossa-Loc. Piano Provenzana at the foot of Mount Etna with about 4700 metres of ascent. It will cross 2 provinces and 17 municipalities with the highest point being at 2000 metres on the Silvestri Craters. The race is strictly non-drafting.

Participants in WFT-EXTREME ETNA must observe the   rules  established by the Highway Code. The bike course is OPEN to  traffic. There   will not be  guards at intersections and athletes must pay close attention.

Consult the www.waterfiretriatholn.com website  – routes section.

Run

42 km starting from Linguaglossa-Loc. Piano Provenzana and taking in the Etna Observatory at 3000 metres above sea level, the run course has over 2200 metres of ascent. You will have the opportunity to run in a lunar scenario together with lush vegetation interrupted by lava flows from previous eruptions. Although Etna is located very far south, the temperatures that can be found at high altitude should not be underestimated.

Consult the www.waterfiretriatholn.com website  – routes section.

CUT-OFFS

swim : time limit 2 hours (by 07:30);

bike : time limit to reach the 14k point  at the Sapienza Refuge is 10 h 30 min. from the start (by 16:00);

bike : time limit to finish the bike course and reach T2 at in Linguaglossa is 13 hours from the start (by 6.30 pm);

run : time limit to reach the  28k point at Piano Provenzana is 17 hours from the start (by 10:30 pm);

run: time limit to finish the WFT-EXTREME TRIATHLON is by 01:00 on 26 October 2025.

Athletes who do not make the times highlighted above will have to abandon the race and should be given assistance by their supporter to withdraw.

In addition, in the event of the athlete’s withdrawal, the supporter must promptly notify the organisers and assist their athlete. The telephone numbers of the organisers will be provided during the briefing and in any case printed on the race bib.

RACE REGULATIONS

1. 1. drafting between athletes or with cars is prohibited;
   2. support vehicles must not pace their athlete and must in no way impede other road users;
   3. any littering on the course shall result in the immediate disqualification of the athlete;
   4. any assistance from the support car is only permitted when that support car is stationary and not moving;
   5. either road cycles (recommended) or time trial cycles is permitted;
   6. it is only permissable to replace the cycle in the event of mechanical breakage which cannot be repaired by the athlete and/or their supporter;
   7. the judges issue athletes with penalties or disqualifications for violations committed by the athlete himself or by the support staff;
   8. two penalty boxes will be set up in T1 and T2;
   9. the use of musical equipment is prohibited;
   10. The medical team has the right, at any time, to interrupt the athlete’s race if he or she is deemed unfit to continue and also has the right at any time to withdraw the athlete from the race
   11. for anything not detailed and otherwise established in this regulation, the currently valid Fitri technical regulation applies together with the currently valid “extreme competition technical regulation” appendix.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

• Wetsuit and neoprene cap;
• Chip throughout the race, GPS during the bike and run (to be returned at the finish);
• Clearly visible race bib, positioned at the rear during the bike and at the front during the run;
• Fully working rear and front bike light;
• CE marked approved helmet;

Mandatory material for athlete and supporters:

• Food and sufficient water;
• Trail shoes;
• Illuminated front headtorch in full working order and spare batteries;
• Whistle;
• Resealable cup;
• Survival blanket;
• Waterproof jacket with integrated hood and suitable for dealing with bad weather conditions in the mountains, built with membranes with certified water resistance technology (GoreTex material recommended, minimum 10,000 mm water column);
• Waterproof trousers;
• Gloves and hat;
• Long-sleeved thermal top;
• Mobile phone. Both the athlete and supporter must be reachable by phone throughout the bike and run legs.

During the registration for the WFT-EXTREME ETNA on October 24 at Taormina-Palazzo dei Congressi and on October 25 at Piano Provenzana at the beginning of the Run, the staff will carry out a check-up of the materials of both the athlete and their supporter.

The absence of any of the materials described above will result in the exclusion of the athlete from the race.

AID STATIONS

WFT-EXTREME ETNA is a fully self supported event and all athletes should ensure they have adequate means of doing so. During the bike course, there will be aid stations at the 140k and the finish.

During the run course, there will be aid stations at the 27k point and the finish.

ROUTE CHANGE

The organisers reserve the right to change the race route for reasons related to the safety of the athletes. Any changes will be promptly communicated to the athletes on the www.waterfiretriathlon.com website and FITr.

BAGS

3 bags will be given to athletes during registration on October 24 at Taormina-Palazzo dei Congressi.

White bag: this is for the bike kit and will be given to the athlete by his supporter for the swim/bike change that will take place at Lido di Naxos at T1. In the same bag, athlete and the supporter must retrieve and insert in the bag all the athlete’s swim kit. The white bag should then be placed in your car.

Red bag: this is for the run kit and will be given to the athlete by his supporter for the bike/run change that will take place in Piano Provenzana at the CNSAS Etna Nord at T2. In the same bag, athlete and supporter must retrieve all the athlete’s bike kit and, together with the bicycle, store it in your car.

The car park is no more than 100 meters from T2.

Black bag: this is for spare clothing at the finish and must be  given to the organizers  on October 24 during the registration phases at Taormina-Palazzo dei Congressi. Alternatively, this bag can be transported by the supporter by car and delivered to the organizers in Piano Provenzana at the CNSAS Etna Nord at T2 prior to the athlete starting the run. The black bag will then be available to the athlete at the finish line in Piano Provenzana.

SUPPORT TEAM

It is MANDATORY to have a Support Team.

Only one person from your Team will be able to access the transition area who must be identified by wearing the supporter’s T-shirt given to them at registration.

The supporter must:

1. wait for the athlete at T1 and make available to their athlete the white bag containing the bike kit and also collect the athlete’s swim kit;
2. wait for the athlete in T2 and make available to their athlete the red bag with the run kit and also collect the athlete’s bike kit, including the bicycle;
3. assist the athlete during the bike leg via a support car in which all materials, food, clothing, repair kits will be stored.
4. The support car may not obstruct regular vehicular traffic, create dangerous situations or proceed at the same speed as the athlete and must be able to recover the athlete and bicycle at all times during the bike leg;
5. at registration, give your name to the organisers, your telephone number and have your mobile phone with you on for the entire duration of the event;
6. display on the car the material provided by the organisers to distinguish the athlete to whom support is being given;
7. accompany the athlete in the last 14 km of the race, from Piano Provenzana to the finish line.

Important: the supporter who will escort his athlete in the last 14 km must deliver their of healthy and robust constitution (not necessarily a competitive medical certificate) to the Secretariat during registration on 24 October.

Important: in the event that 2 or 3 athletes want to take part together in the race maintaining the same pace in the bike and run fractions, they will be allowed to have only one supporter. In this case, the athletes will have to make the changes in T1 and T2 at the same time and proceed on the race courses at a distance that ensures that each athlete remains within shouting distance of the other. The supporter’s car must guarantee the possibility of being able to accommodate 2 or 3 bicycles and 2 or 3 athletes inside (the use of a van is therefore recommended).

Athlete and supporter will have to do together the most challenging stretch of the run course, namely the ascent to the Etna Observatory at 3000 metres and then difficult descent to the finish line. The supporter must be in good physical fitness.

ASSISTANCE

To ensure the safety of the athletes in the WFT-EXTREME ETNA, ambulances, water assistance vehicles, motorcycles, cars and specialised personnel will be deployed.

AWARDS

The athletes who cross the finish line at Linguaglossa – Loc. Piano Provenzana will light the Torch of the Gods from the source of the God Vulcanus.

An award ceremony will be held on October 26 at Taormina-Palazzo dei Congressi, where the athletes will be called by name and invited on stage to collect their trophy.

Immediately after the awards ceremony, the pasta party will be held for athletes and their companions by showing the voucher delivered during registration.  At a cost of 10.00 euros you can buy additional vouchers for family and friends.

Among the finisher athletes, 2 names will be drawn at random for registration for the 2026 edition at a reduced rate of 50%. Among the athletes who have not completed the test, two names will be drawn at random for registration for the 2026 edition at a reduced rate of 30%.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

For car rental, accommodation, on-site support, bike rental/bike mechanics and travel organisation, consult the website www.waterfiretriathlon.com in the practical information section.

PRIVACY

Pursuant to GDPR 2016/679 art.13, we inform you that the personal data collected will be used only to prepare the list of participants, the ranking and the historical archive, to provide the services of the event, to send information or advertising material of the “WATER FIRE TRIATHLON – EXTREME ETNA” or its partners. By registering for the “WATER FIRE TRIATHLON – EXTREME ETNA”, the athlete expressly authorises the organisers, together with the media partners, to use still or moving images worldwide and for the maximum time provided for by the laws, regulations, treaties in force, including any extension that may be made to the period provided.