It took 31 year old Natascha Badman 3 attempts to finally win the hardest competition of the world, the 22nd Triathlon of Hawaii. To swim 3.8 km, bike 180 km and then still run 42 km under the hot sun (40°) of Kailua Kona in just over 9:24:36 hours is certainly high level sport par excellence. «It was the race of my life; for a Triathlete there is nothing greater!», Natascha said overjoyed after she had finished her race. Vegi-power-woman Natascha has been a vegetarian for about 10 years. Even as a child she did not like meat very much and it was easy for her to give up eating it altogether. Three main Points How is it possible that Natascha can cross the finishing line relaxed and smiling? According to her there are three important points: mental training, physical training and the right nutrition. During the race she works with relaxation and breathing, imagining that with every breathing in, energy flows into her body. 'Gradually all athletes become vegetarians', said Toni Hasler, coach and life-companion of Natascha. 'The athletes learn to see very well the connection between nutrition and physical efficiency. Who ever adopts a vegetarian diet needs one hour less sleep. The body recovers far better without meat which contains too many poisonous substances which have to be eliminated by the body. In high level sport vegetarian nutrition is spreading more and more!' Natascha, Toni and their 14-year-old daughter like fresh fruit, vegetables, pasta and especially the exquisite SOYANA soy products very much. (The participants of the AGM 1996 in Trogen will remember the tasty SOYANA soy products, still all organically grown and free of genetic manipulation.). They often prepare a sweet corn dish, which is the basic nutrition of the Kenyan runners in their training camps. Thus there is no fear of any deficiency and no supplements are needed. Straight after a training session Natascha drinks the fresh juice of carrots and beets with a spoonful of cold pressed oil. The juicer is always in their luggage where ever they go, like to Gran Canaria where they went for a fortnight to prepare the Hawaii Triathlon. When invited they used to tell their hosts that they are vegetarians, but meanwhile most of their friends have become vegetarians too, especially the stamina athletes. Sigrid De Leo