St. George (AP) – The Corona-pandemic provides a triathlon novelty: For the first time in Ironman history since 1978, the world championship will not open Hawaii rise.
After the 2020 World Cup had to be completely canceled and the title decision in 2021 had already been postponed from October to the beginning of February, there was Ironman now the new date and above all the new, but only one-time World Cup location for 3.86 kilometers of swimming, 180.2 kilometers of cycling and 42.2 kilometers of running is known.
On May 7th, 2022 it should be in St. George in the US state Utah be ready. Just five months later, the cult race – so the plan – returns to its traditional location. However, on October 6th there will also be a separate race for the professional women for the first time. “I love it”, wrote the last one at Ironman in Klagenfurt victorious and fourth place in the World Cup in 2019, Laura Philipp. The men will start on October 8th.
“We expect unique and historic races in October 2022,” said Ironman boss Andrew Messick. 50 athletes each should compete in the professional races. Information about the race of the many age group athletes is to be provided in the coming weeks. So far the World Cup has been on Hawaii a one-day racing event.
“We won’t see this for a while,” said Jan Frodeno in an Instagram story – an underwater photo of the swim start in the background Hawaii, including sea turtle. “It is what it is,” said the triathlon star after fluffing his cheeks.
As a reason for the one-time relocation of Hawaii after Utah gave Ironman in a communication the ongoing unsafe situation in Kailua-Kona with view on Corona-pandemic at. Already at the 70.3 World Championships in St. George would have Messick also indicated a spatial relocation. The last time the World Cup took place in 2019 Hawaii instead, at that time they were crowned for the first time Anne Haug among women and for the third time Jan Frodeno with the men.
In the coming year, the now 40-year-old will have the opportunity to add two more World Cup titles to his list of successes within five months. For the top athletes, however, the renewed time shift also means another change in training. Usually the qualifying competitions start in May. Since the Corona-pandemic However, the racing calendar was constantly changed and changed, and many races could not take place.
In St. George intended to be swum in the Sand Hollow Reservoir. Instead of sometimes wild Pacific with waves in the reservoir, the swimming times are likely to be below those Hawaii lie. The demanding bike route leads over a lap of 180.2 kilometers with a few meters in altitude. Finally, wait to switch to St. George and the goal there is a loop to be run twice on the athletes. “Events like the Ironman World Championship, which attracts athletes from all over the world, are a great example of how much our state is committed to global sport,” became the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, quoted.
