Ironman 2023 in Hawaii: This Kemptenerin from TV Kempten has qualified – Sport im Allgäu

This emotional moment will Britta Wenske definitely never forget. The 45-year-old endurance athlete of the TV Kempten ended up at Ironman South Africa in second place in the 45 to 49 age group. With that he secured himself Desired also the ticket for the legendary triathlon world championship on October 14th Hawaii.

Decisive for the second place at Ironman in Port Elizabethwhich has been held there since 2004, was the ideal preparation. Desiredwho is also head coach of the swimming department of the TV Kempten arrived on the south coast of the African country five days before the start of the race and quickly got used to the outside conditions. With an outside temperature of 30 degrees, we went into the waters of the Indian Ocean and checked the route on the running and cycling circuit. Even a small technical problem on her bike left her Desired not stop.

A storm almost thwarts the organizers’ plans

Before the start of the swim, the participants learned that the course was shortened from 3.8 to 0.9 kilometers due to a storm. “One can speak of luck that the race started at all,” said Desired. The interlude in the water went well for the TVK athlete, as did the first switch to the bike. For the first 40 of the 180 kilometers on the bike, she fought against wind and heavy rain. The weather then went to another extreme: Humidity and heat meant that many participants were eliminated prematurely.

But Desired fought her way through and also got off to a good start in running – although not the strongest discipline of the Allgäu native by choice. The muscular problems towards the end of the race also held up Desired no longer depends on the arrival at the destination. That they qualify for the Ironman on Hawaii The 45-year-old only really realized when she was presented with the typical wreath of flowers at the award ceremony. (Also read: Allgäu Triathlon 2023 already fully booked – waiting list is still open)

This is how Britta Wenske uses the days off after the competition

The days after the strenuous race used Desired for regeneration and to explore the landscape of South Africa. The endurance athlete also had another reason to celebrate – her 45th birthday fell at this time.

With her return to Deutschland started preparing for Hawaii. At the same time, she continues to take care of the development of swimming talents TV Kempten. In the preparation goes Desired unusual ways. There are also possibilities here that the special conditions apply Hawaii to simulate. “I know people who have put their bike and roller in the sauna to simulate the high humidity,” says Desired. On Hawaii only the women’s race will be held in October.

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Numbers, data and information: That is Kempten in the Allgaeu