Always further with Tony Vazquez!

Tony Vazquez Baluenga, Spanish athlete, is a long-distance Nordic walking specialist. A member of the Guidetti Nordic Horizon Team for 4 years, he shares his passion for this discipline and looks back on his 2022 victories.

When did you start Nordic walking?

I started in 2000, including a 21-kilometer race in Germany. Then I did my first 30-kilometer race in Calafell, Spain, which I won. Then I moved on to 6-hour and 12-hour races.

What do you like about Nordic walking?

What I like most about this sport is above all the pleasure I get from walking with poles. It reminds me of when I was a little boy, when I would go with my parents to the mountains to spend the day, with a backpack and a snack.

What is long-distance walking?

Long-distance Nordic walking events are distances that exceed 50 kilometers. The ones I like the most are the 100 km distances or the 12-hour events, or the one I did of 100 miles in the mountains or on trails.

Have you always done long distance?

Yes, I've always done long distance, it's what I like the most. For many years, I did walks of several kilometers in Catalonia until I found official Nordic walking events.

What is your training?

I changed trainers a year ago and I'm very happy, we understand each other well and that's fundamental.

How long have you been part of the Guidetti Nordic Horizon Team?

After a competition in France (the NordiCréchoise - 21km), Jean-Pierre (the team manager) wrote to me via Messenger to ask me to join the club. I was very excited by his message and accepted his offer. I've been part of the Guidetti Nordic Horizon Team for 4 years now and I'm very happy about it.
Unfortunately, I don't see them very often. I saw Jean-Pierre in Barcelona a month ago; Next March, I have a competition in France where I hope to join part of the team.

What type of poles do you use?

My favorite poles are Guidetti 100% carbon single-piece poles, the UT100 yellow and the Vents des Fjords Arctique. Their weight, around 150g per pole, is perfect for ultra distance and I have complete confidence in my equipment!

What races have you done this year? What are your results?

In 2022, I participated in the Tour du Lac Léman, a 192 km stage race around Lake Geneva. It was one of my best experiences. After 5 victorious stages and 27h24:10 of walking, I had the joy of finishing first!

And now, I have just run "El Privilegio 100 Millas", a 175km non-stop race, self-sufficient and on an unmarked course (2500 D+). A very demanding race that I completed in 31h20 and that I was lucky enough to win with my friend Fabrizio Pavone.

What are your goals for next year?

In January 2023, I will do a 70km race in Spain, in March the 12h of Villenave d'Ornon in France and in October, the 100km of the Sahara Desert, which is my main goal.

What is your best memory?

My best memory is a second place in the World Cup marathon in Poland, and the 192 km stage race in Switzerland.

Interview by Aurélie Joubin on November 23, 2022