Kaernten Ironman Austria 2009
LONG DISTANCE TRIATHLON
3.8 km swim | 180 km bike | 42,195 km marathon run
Around 2400 athletes of 47 nations are challenging each other in the ultimate contest of endurance sport. The IRONMAN triathlon is a grueling event that pushes its participants to the mental and physical limits.
Television Facts
TV Production: | hostbroadcaster ORF Highlight Show by sports tv production international GmbH |
Available programmes: |
VNR by satellite on 5th July 2009 |
Please note: | THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS ALSO AVAILABLE: |
PRICES FOR TV-RIGHTS ON REQUEST
The Kärnten IRONMAN Austria takes place on 5th July 2009. It is the 11th edition and entails the the official IRONMAN disciplines: 3,8 km swimming in the lake, 180 km cycling in 2 laps along 2 lakes, and a marathon of 42,195 km to the town of Klagenfurt.
Besides the IRONMAN Florida the IRONMAN Austria is the biggest race of the world series.
Kärnten/Carinthia fascinates the athletes anew each year. The Kärnten IRONMAN Austria is the most popular IRONMAN and has been fully booked within only 92 minutes!
The reason for that is the perfect triathlon-landscape which is offered by Austria’s most southern province. The almost Mediterranean climate, the lakes, mountain tops and rolling hills which make the bike track challenging, frame the perfect ambience to combine these three sports.
About 100.000 spectators will be cheering in the IRONMAN City and along the race course. In this atmospheric contest the athletes are competing for 50 qualifying slots for the most honoured and prestigious IRONMAN World Championship in Kona/Hawaii (October).
There is a prize money of $ 50,000 for the top 10 men and women. Adam Molnor (HUN) will be attempting a new world record in swimming.
HISTORY OF THE IRONMAN
The history of the IRONMAN started on Hawaii as Major John Collins decided to find out what sportsman - the swimmer, the biker or the runner - was the one in best shape. So 1978 the IRONMAN distance - 3.8 km swimming, 180 km biking and 42.195 km running - has been completed by 12 athletes for the first time.
Already in the following year the first woman - Lynn Lemaire - faced her first IRONMAN. She did well and finished 5th in total.
Since its 3rd year the IRONMAN has been interesting for media as well. So the race in 1980 with 103 participants has been broadcasted by the US TV-station ABC. In the meantime there 23 IRONMAN events worldwide and its annual highlight – the IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in Hawaii in October.
IRONMAN WORLD RECORD HOLDERS/FASTEST TIMES:
Luc van Lierde (BEL) - 7:50:27 at IRONMAN Germany/Roth 1997
Sandra Wallenhorst (GER) - 8:47:26 at IRONMAN Austria 2008
» For further information please visit www.ironmanaustria.com
