Press Release:
The IRONMAN Austria race week is already in full swing. On Thursday the Company Triathlon Challenge took place fort he 6th time. On Saturday it’s all about the IronKIDS. On Sunday, 13th July, the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria is going to take place for the 10th time.
The IRONMAN Austria race week has already attracted thousands of athletes and Fans. The IRONMAN EXPO is the centre of attraction for all target groups and offers with more exhibitors than ever before a great variety of goods and other things from the triathlon and endurance sport sector.
UPC Company Triathlon Challenge
Thursday evening the UPC Company Triathlon Challenge took place fort he 6th time, and saw a new record of starters, with exactly 800 participants who tackled the challenge. Winner of the race in the individual challenge was Lukas Gaggl (HSV Triathlon Carinthia) with a time of 0:33:00, followed by Michael Kavalirek (HSV Triathlon Carinthia) with 0:33:33 and Wolfgang Unterholer (Innen und Außendesign Triathlon/Interior and Exterior Design Triathlon) with 0:33:48. Winner of the female starters was Lisa Perterer (Panaceo) with the time of 0:34:14. In the relay challenge the "Ingenieurbüro Michl Racing Team" (Engineers-office Michl Racing Team) with Thomas Jandl, Boris Scherwitzl and Christoph Lorber won with a time of 0:30:43.
On Saturday, the day before the ‚big’ race, the little ones can show their strength at the Hypo Group IronKIDS Aquathlon, hosted by the Hypo Group Alpe Adria Bank.
Strong PRO-Field
The Sunday is then going to be all about the 10th edition of the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria. The starting field is stronger than ever. Apart from the two times winner Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL), the winner of the IRONMAN South Africa, Stephen Bayliss is starting as well. Norbert Langbrandtner, who finished three times in second place at the IRONMAN Austria, is not going to settle for another second place. Hannes Hempel, ex-cycling PRO, s aiming at the victory as well. And Massimo Cigana (ITA) just won the Austria IRONMAN 70.3 in St. Pölten. From an Austrian and international point of view, there are many other strong athletes, apart from those just mentioned, starting too. Marino Vanhoenacker is not going to have an easy race at all this year, despite this the Belgian is very confident. Especially Charly Loisel (FRA) will give him a hard time on the bike. If the Frenchman can keep his strength during the Marathon remains to be seen.
In the women’s field, last year’s winner Edith Niederfriniger (ITA) feels vigorous and is of course aiming on winning the race. But her ‘acquaintance’ from South Africa - Bella Comerford (GBR), who won the IRONMAN South Africa in April just 5 seconds ahead of Edith – wants to mark another success in Klagenfurt after her three victories in this season (IRONMAN South Africa, IRONMAN Lanzarote, UK IRONMAN 70.3; annotation) Veronika Hauke, the Viennese doctor , who finished as second last year, wants to be a factor front and centre as well.
Strong Celebrity-Field
Apart from the very strong PRO-field, many athletes can be found on the starting list, who are well known outside of the triathlon sector. Be that from other PRO-Sports, politics or society – among the 2.400 athletes is a colourful mix of participants, who are going to face the challenge of 226 kilometers of triathlon.
The oldest participant Franz Knor (76) from Vienna wants to qualify himself for the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii again.
Marc Herremans (BEL) a PRO-athlete in the category „handcycle“ is going to absolve the 1,8 km Schwimmen, 180 km together with 2 other quadriplegic athletes on the handcycle and 42,2, km in a special racing wheelchair with the sheer power of his arms.
Christian Clerici, moderator, entertainer and triathlon-fan for now two years, is starting for the second time at the IRONMAN Austria. His goal is to finish under 11 hours by all means.
Martin Strutz, just recently appointed the third president of the county council in Klagenfurt, is starting for the fourth time at the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria.
Each of the 2.400 athletes is extraordinary in his/her own respect. The Kärnten IRONMAN Austria, one of the biggest IRONMAN worldwide, will be launched on 13th July fort he 10th time. More than 200 international and accredited media representatives will guarantee a worldwide coverage about the top class of all long-distance triathlons.
Austrias strong IRONMEN – Who will be among the top three?
From left.: Hannes Hempel, Alex Frühwirth, Peter Schoissengeier, Gernot Seidl, Werner Leitner, Norbert Langbrandtner. Photo:© Gernot Gleiss
FACTS
13th July 2008 | 7.00 a.m | Lido Klagenfurt
3,8 km swimming| 180 km cycling | 42,2 km running
2.400 athletes | 61 PROs
50 qualifying slots for the IRONMAN Worldchampionship in Hawaii
www.ironmanaustria.com
Carinthian Governor Dr. Jörg Haider about the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria - "When 124 athletes started back in 1998, no one could imagine what an extraordinary event the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria would become. Today it’s unimaginable that this triathlon with a cultural character would not be part of the Carinthian event agenda and is not just attracting more than 2000 ‘Ironmen’, but is also fascinating thousands and thousands of spectators. TV stations and newspapers all over the world report about this major sport event and present Carinthia as a great destination for athletes and vacationers. The local tourism can be pleased with the enormous advertising value. Also as far as overnight stays and the added value fort he region are concerned, the Kärnten IRONMAN Austria is a very valuable fixture in the Carinthian event agenda.“
Carinthia 2008 means Sun. South. Summer spree
In Austria’s southernmost province, the temperatures are in general higher, the meadows and trees greener, the lakes warmer and thus the people are in a much better mood than elsewhere. Being not far away from the Mediterranean Sea, the climate is almost Mediterranean as well and allows for many sunny days.
The Carinthian Summer has a lot to offer. Embedded in a unique landscape with high peaks and a picturesque mountainscape, the province offers also more than 1.200 lakes where one can cool down, be active or just chill on the lakeshore. Whether in luxurious hotels, comfortable three- or four star accommodations, in homey pensions, in privately rented houses or on excellent camping sites, holidays in Carinthia mean holidays with friends. And good friends care much about a good atmosphere, general well-being and attractive offerings which make the vacation an unforgettable experience.
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