Utah instead of Hawaii, St. George instead of Kailua Kona. In May next year Ironman breaks with a tradition. Jan Frodeno and Co. now have planning security.
The corona pandemic is causing a triathlon novelty: For the first time in Ironman history since 1978, the world championship will not be held in Hawaii.
After the 2020 World Cup ultimately had to be canceled completely and the 2021 title decision had already been postponed from October to early February Ironman now the new date and above all the new, albeit only one-off World Cup location over 3.86 kilometers swimming, 180.2 kilometers cycling and 42.2 kilometers running known.
On May 7th, 2022 it should be ready in St. George in the US state of Utah. Only five months later, the cult race – according to the plan – will return to its traditional venue. However, there will be a separate race for the professional women for the first time on October 6th. “I love it,” wrote Laura Philipp, who recently won the Ironman in Klagenfurt and was fourth in the 2019 World Cup. The men will start on October 8th.
“We expect unique and historic races in October 2022,” said Ironman boss Andrew Messick. 50 athletes 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 Championships in Hawaii have been a one-day racing event.
“We won’t see this for a while,” said Jan Frodeno in an Instagram story – in the background an underwater photo of the swim start in Hawaii, including sea turtles. “It is what it is,” said the triathlon star after puffing out his cheeks.
In a statement, Ironman stated that the reason for the initially one-off relocation from Hawaii to Utah was the ongoing uncertain situation in Kailua-Kona with regard to the corona pandemic. Already at the recent 70.3 World Championships in St. George, Messick had indicated a physical relocation. Most recently, the 2019 World Cup took place in Hawaii, when Anne Haug crowned the women for the first time and Jan Frodeno for the third time in the men.
The now 40-year-old has the opportunity to add two more World Cup titles to his list of successes within five months. For the top athletes, however, the renewed postponement also means another change in training. Usually, in May, the time of the qualifying competitions begins. Since the corona pandemic, however, the racing calendar has been constantly changed and many races could not take place.
In St. George there will be swimming in the Sand Hollow Reservoir. Instead of the sometimes wild Pacific with waves, the swimming times in the reservoir should be below those in Hawaii. The challenging bike course is 180.2 kilometers long with a few meters of altitude difference. Finally, with the change in St. George and the finish there, a loop to be run twice awaits the athletes. “Events like the Ironman World Championships, which draw athletes from around the world, are a great example of our state’s commitment to global sport,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was quoted as saying.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:210924-99-339949/4 (dpa)