Triathlon
Hard work in the heat – The Ironman World Championships
The German Anna Haug at the triathlon in Hawaii. photo
© David Pintens/BELGA/dpa
No wetsuits, no disc edges – but otherwise there won’t be any spills at the Women’s Ironman World Championships. It’s a total of 226 kilometers and the circumstances are challenging.
Even for the fastest triathletes, it is likely to be more than an eight-hour day of hard work Become a holiday paradise – without a break.
3.86 kilometer swim in the morning from 6:25 a.m. local time. This also means getting up early or, better yet, in the middle of the night. After swimming, it’s off to the bike, 180.2 kilometers and the wind as a potential constant companion. Then another 42.2 kilometers of running. A marathon under extreme conditions. Air temperatures of over 30 degrees are expected this Saturday (6:25 p.m. CEST/sportschau.de) at the first all-women’s Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, along with around 70 percent humidity.
That’s what matters
“Experience can be helpful, but I also remember my first race here, and sometimes it’s good not to think too much,” said five-time Ironman world champion Daniela Ryf of Switzerland. Knowing how hard it is can also be scary. In addition to the already massive physical and mental challenge due to the long distance alone, there are also external circumstances in Hawaii.
It’s hot and humid. And if you’re hoping for a bit of an emotional boost, you’ll look in vain for spectators on many sections – especially on the bike. One section of the run – the legendary Energy Lab – is prohibited for fans. So it can also be a race against loneliness. Eating and drinking is also extremely important. Energy gels are primarily used to consume highly concentrated carbohydrates.
Where decisions are made
In swimming, no races are won over this distance, but who comes out of the water at which point has a decisive influence on the further course of the race. In other words, if you are too far behind, you may already have lost. Because if you have to invest more than planned on the bike, you could pay for it again in the marathon.
However, from endless hours of training, the athletes know exactly how many watts they can and should pedal over a longer period of time – and how much better not to. “Each discipline has an influence on the other,” said former German world champion Anne Haug, whose greatest strength is running. And at the final marathon, the ranking at the finish line should also be determined.
High-tech at the start
Even though the now increasingly sophisticated wetsuits are banned in Hawaii due to the high water temperature, plenty of high-tech is used. Especially, of course, with the extremely expensive bikes. The aerodynamic carbon machines are perfect for the even and almost flat course. In addition to various special paint finishes, the subtleties are also in the details. From electronic circuits to various aero parts. However, disc wheels are forbidden – too dangerous in the wind, which can sometimes come strongly from the side.