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IRONMAN LAUNCHES KONA INSPIRED PROGRAM FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE IRONMAN FOUNDATION

Kona Inspired provides seven slots for IRONMAN World Championship driven by aspirational stories

TAMPA, Fla. (March 5, 2013) – With the support of The IRONMAN Foundation, IRONMAN is excited to kick off the Kona Inspired™ program for the second year in a row after a successful inaugural campaign. In the search for aspirational stories, the program is designed to engage the endurance community as they determine the seven athletes who deserve a slot at the 2013 IRONMAN® World Championship located in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.

This year’s program has been expanded to have a truly global presence, now allowing Kona hopefuls in Australia, Germany, Mexico and Canada (excluding Quebec), as well as the United States the opportunity to enter the contest. In 2012, Kona Inspired athlete videos drew over 2.9 million video views; like last year, anyone can vote for the individuals they feel are most worthy of a slot to Kona. Driven by the inspirational stories of everyday athletes who have made the sport of triathlon what it is today, Kona Inspired turns the question back to the athlete and asks, What Drives You?

“It is clear that every athlete has a story to tell. We will build upon the success of last year’s program by engaging our community in selecting extraordinary athletes to compete on the largest stage in triathlon,” said Christopher Stadler, Chief Marketing Officer of World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN). “As witnessed by the journey of last year’s athletes, Kona Inspired is an exciting platform that allows individuals to share their story and demonstrate why they deserve a slot at Kona.”

Individuals can now upload their videos for viewing and voting at www.konainspired.com or through the Kona Inspired Facebook App on the official IRONMAN Facebook Page. Winners receive one of seven coveted entries into the IRONMAN World Championship scheduled for Oct. 12, 2013, as well as an impressive VIP race week experience. Each entrant should upload a 90-second video showing how he/she represents the IRONMAN mantra ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE®.

The submission period will last through May 7, 2013 at which time a panel of IRONMAN representatives will narrow the field to 45 finalists. The finalists will be divided into three subsequent 10-day voting rounds, the first of which begins on May 14, 2013.  The public vote will determine two winners from each round, with a final wild-card winner being selected by IRONMAN representatives from the remaining finalists.

In support of Kona Inspired, The IRONMAN Foundation will provide additional benefits to this year’s program. Each entrant in the contest will have the opportunity to support a cause they are passionate about through The IRONMAN Foundation’s fundraising program, Your Journey, Your Cause. The platform allows athletes to select a charity and fundraise in support of the charity’s mission. The IRONMAN Foundation has also agreed to match up to $10,000 for the charity of the individual who raises the most money for his/her cause.

Thad Beaty, guitarist for the Grammy-winning group Sugarland, will serve as the spokesperson for Kona Inspired this year. As a part of The IRONMAN Foundation, Beaty recently completed the 2012 IRONMAN Arizona triathlon as an IRONMAN Foundation athlete and exemplifies what the Kona Inspired Program represents. 

“Thad Beaty had undergone an amazing transformation from being a full time traveling musician, to living the IRONMAN Lifestyle,” said David Deschenes, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation. “He is taking what can be thought of as an individual sport, with all of the personal sacrifices, and changed his efforts towards a self-less journey in support of his community. Through his initiatives with the Foundation, Thad has created a non-profit called Music that Moves that inspires those in the music community to affect lives beyond just the stage. Through his inspiration, we are honored to have Thad Beaty as the spokesperson for Kona Inspired.”
                                                                             
For a comprehensive overview of the Kona Inspired contest or to see the official rules and regulations, visit www.konainspired.com. For questions related to the Kona Inspired platform, please contact konainspired@ironman.com. Media-related inquiries should be directed to media@ironman.com.

About IRONMAN
The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world.  Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN), owner and operator of the IRONMAN® Series, has grown from owner of a single race to a global sensation with nearly 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN®, IRONMAN 70.3®, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl® and IronKids®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

About The IRONMAN Foundation
Since its inception in 2003, The IRONMAN® Foundation, Inc. has made philanthropic contributions of more than 17 million dollars to numerous non-profit beneficiaries worldwide. The mission of The IRONMAN Foundation is: To leave IRONMAN's legacy through philanthropy, voluntarism and grant making; by supporting various athletic, community, education, health, human services and public benefit non-profits organizations around the world. The IRONMAN® Foundation is a US registered 501(c)(3). For more information contact info@ironmanfoundation.org.

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Priority entry to all USM and WTC events for Triathlon Australia members

Triathlon Australia and USM Events are pleased to announce an agreement that will provide annual members of Triathlon Australia with a priority entry period to events managed by USM Events, including Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races. The arrangement, which will apply for events that are about to go on sale, will provide annual members with an opportunity to enter events at least 48 hours before they go on sale to non-annual members.   

Triathlon Australia Vice-President David Ferrier acknowledged that “Negotiation of this multi-year agreement signals a giant step forward in the relationship between our national triathlon association and Australia’s largest organiser of triathlon events”.  USM Events CFO Daryl Herbert acknowledged that “the arrangement is recognition of the effort the national and state associations have been prepared to commit over the past two years to build relationships with the key event organisers”. 

“Members have consistently told us they value priority entry to events that sell out quickly” said Ferrier. “They have urged us to extend the member priority to a broader range of events, particularly Ironman events that often sell out in minutes and we have responded to this feedback”. 

In addition to the member only priority period, the agreement between TA and USM also ensures a closer collaboration between the two organisations in promoting and increasing the profile of triathlon and triathletes in Australia. “We acknowledge the mutual benefits of working together and are pleased to offer a proportion of entries across our race portfolio to Triathlon Australia members on a priority basis” said Geoff Meyer, CEO of USM Events.

Events where between 25% and 40% of all individual entries will be available to annual members at least 48 hours before general sale include:

• Gold Coast triathlon
• Mooloolaba Olympic Distance
• Noosa Olympic Distance
• Geelong Olympic Distance
• Geelong Long Course
• Mandurah 70.3
• Port Macquarie 70.3
• Auckland 70.3
• Cairns 70.3
• Ironman Western Australia
• Ironman New Zealand
• Ironman Melbourne
• Ironman Australia
• Ironman Cairns

In addition to priority entry for events that are yet to go on sale, USM Events have agreed that any additional places that become available for some of their key events that have already been sold will be made available to annual members of Triathlon Australia. These include the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance event (event not sold out at this stage), Cairns Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events, Ironman Australia and the Ironman Asia-Pacific championships in Melbourne.

For more information you can visit www.triathlon.org.au or www.usmevents.com.au or contact Anne Gripper on (02) 8332 6820.

INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS
 
The dates of priority entry will be made available to members within the Log-In section of the Triathlon Australia website and via members email newsletters. If you are a Triathlon Australia member and would like to access more information about priority entry dates, go to the Triathlon Australia website: www.triathlon.org.au

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PETE JACOBS TRIUMPHS IN HAWAII, MIRINDA CARFRAE GRABS THIRD

Kailua, Kona, Hawaii (October 14, 2012) – Australia’s Pete Jacobs cruised to victory in the worlds’ toughest one day endurance races to take his first IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii today. Fellow Australian Mirinda Carfrae grabbed third place behind Leanda Cave and Caroline Steffen.

The 31-year-old Jacobs, second last year to Australian defending champion Craig Alexander a year ago won by five minutes.

"I am so honoured to be the sixth Australian to win this race. So honoured,'' Jacobs said. "I love this sport. I love my wife, I love the world.

"This is a magic moment I will never forget.''

Jacobs covered the gruelling course in 8hrs 18min 37sec to finish ahead of German Andreas Raelert and Belgium’s Frederik Van Lierde.

"It was a hard day but a good day and it didn't hurt as much as last year,'' Jacobs said.

"I'm just so happy.''

Australia has now won the last six IRONMAN World Championship titles with Jacobs breaking through for his maiden crown today.

Jacobs paced himself well throughout the race, finishing the 3.8km swim in the first chase group and less than a minute behind American leader Andy Potts.

Jacobs was second off the bike, more than 8 minutes behind Belgium's Marino Vanhoenacker, and passed him with little more than 10 miles left in the marathon.

Renowned for his running prowess, Jacobs immediately started making up ground on Vanhoenacker.

Vanhoenacker faded badly in the run after Jacobs passed him and wasn't a factor at the finish.

He finished well ahead of German Andreas Raelert, who collapsed as he crossed the line, holding off Van Lierde by only a few seconds.

"I'm in love, I'm in love with this sport," said Jacobs, who was able to celebrate with fans in the closing kilometres.

"I'm so lucky to be able to have this opportunity to do what I do."

Jacobs, 31, is the fourth Australian men's winner after Greg Welch (1994), Chris McCormack (2007 and '10) and Craig Alexander ('08, '09 and last year).

Jacobs was in the background pre-race, with all the hype surrounding an anticipated duel between Alexander and McCormack.

But Alexander was 15th off the bike, more than 17 minutes off the pace, and his best hope was a top-10 finish.

Considered a major contender for the win McCormack punctured in the first 40km of the bike and pulled out before Hawi as he steadily lost time to the leaders, trailing by two minutes after the swim.

Carfrae also paced her race well to snare a podium place today having previously one in 2010 and second in 2011.
She was a little slow in the swim, finishing nearly five minutes behind American Amanda Stevens, but unlike last year she did not lose significant ground to the leaders on the bike.

Swiss Caroline Steffen led after the bike, 8:09 ahead and deep into the marathon before Cave moved through to take the lead. Steffen was unable to go with her but gritted it out for second.

Carfrae, who holds the women's run course record, was unable to produce her usual trade mark run, collapsing at the finish.

Men’s Results

Jacobs, Pete	AUS	00:51:28	04:35:15	02:48:05	08:18:37
Raelert, Andreas	GER	00:55:17	04:36:34	02:47:23	08:23:40
Van Lierde, Frederik	BEL	00:51:36	04:35:25	02:52:49	08:24:09
Kienle, Sebastian	GER	00:55:21	04:33:23	02:54:24	08:27:08
Al-Sultan, Faris	ARE	00:51:39	04:35:53	02:56:49	08:28:33
Bracht, Timo	GER	00:53:45	04:37:16	02:55:36	08:30:57
Potts, Andy	USA	00:50:32	04:43:52	02:53:18	08:31:45
O'Donnell, Timothy	USA	00:51:37	04:44:15	02:53:59	08:33:28
Dellow, David	AUS	00:51:33	04:40:27	02:59:02	08:35:02
Bockel, Dirk	LUX	00:52:30	04:34:17	03:05:47	08:36:21
Aernouts, Bart	BEL	01:00:15	04:45:11	02:47:10	08:37:31
Alexander, Craig	AUS	00:51:35	04:44:44	03:00:29	08:40:49

 

Women's Results

 

Cave, Leanda	USA	00:56:03	05:12:06	03:03:13	09:15:54
Steffen, Caroline	SWI	00:57:37	05:06:49	03:08:08	09:16:58
Carfrae, Mirinda	USA	01:00:06	05:12:18	03:05:04	09:21:41
Tajsich, Sonja	GER	01:10:36	05:07:57	02:59:26	09:22:45
Ellis, Mary Beth	USA	00:56:06	05:08:06	03:10:30	09:22:57
Badmann, Natascha		01:06:21	05:06:07	03:09:18	09:26:25
Crawford, Gina	NZL	00:55:59	05:21:30	03:06:16	09:28:54
Corbin, Linsey	USA	01:02:53	05:16:55	03:07:55	09:32:18
Snow, Caitlin	USA	00:57:43	05:30:47	03:03:06	09:36:18
Marsh, Amy	USA	00:56:08	05:16:36	03:20:27	09:38:15

For further media enquiries please contact:
Lisa Pringle     0417 005 743  lisa.pringle@usmevents.com.au

 

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LAKE LAS VEGAS, NV (September 10, 2012) – Australia’s Craig Alexander fell just short of defending his IRONMAN World Championship 70.3 title this morning in Las Vegas, ahead of his assault on a fourth IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii on October 13.

In scorching conditions, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees, Alexander was forced to chase down eventual winner; Germany’s Sebastian Kienle but ran out of real estate over the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run.
Dual Olympic medallist Bevan Docherty (NZ) showed his class in this distance to round out the podium.

"I was pretty happy with my swim. I decided to push it - my hope was to keep the pace high. The first time I looked back at mile 10 there were eight bikes behind me,” said Alexander.

"It wasn't until Sebastian came through that it got serious. There were a few people in that pack who would have been happy with top five. It was TO (Tim O'Donnell) who went to the front and chased Kienle.

"In fairness to Sebastian, he rationed his effort really well,” added Alexander.

The best of the Australian women was defending champion Melissa Hauschildt finishing fourth, while Great Britain’s Leanda Cave won the women's crown.

Alexander placed himself in a good position in the early stages of the race, making up a 30 second deficit after the swim to be in the lead group on the bike.

Kienle made his presence known on the bike amassing a 3 minute lead over a classy chase group that included, Alexander Docherty, Filip Ospaly, Greg Bennett, Faris Al-Sultan, Christian Kemp, Andy Potts, Josh Amberger and Tim O'Donnell. But as Kienle extended his lead towards the end of the bike segment, Alexander also managed to whittle down that group around him.

On the run Kienle had a 2:49 advantage over Alexander, Potts and Amberger, a few more seconds on O'Donnell and Docherty. Alexander then started to claw back time to the German and dropped the rest of the field. In the end he simply ran out of miles and Kienle stormed home to win his first world title in a course record time – 3:54:35.

Jodie Swallow led out of the swim from Kelly Williamson, Leanda Cave and Meredith Kessler.

As in the men’s race the move came on the bike, with Cave methodically moving to the front and establishing a 30 second lead with 35km to go from Swallow and Heather Jackson, Hauschildt was a further 15 seconds behind. Cave then increased the pace, dispatching Jackson and extending her lead to 2:15 at the changeover.

The lead proved too much for the chasers to close down, Kelly Williamson the biggest movers through the field, running into second place from Jackson and Hauschildt.
Cave took the win and the 70.3 World Championship title. It was Cave’s third World title, having previously won the ITU World Championships in Cancun, Mexico in 2002 and the ITU Long Distance World Championships in Lorient, France in 2007.

"Everything today shocked me.

"I don't know where that came from - last weekend I sucked! Kelly Williamson is a bad ass on the run. To be honest, I thought she was going to win,” said a delighted Cave.

Ironman World Championships 70.3 Results

Men
1. Sebastian Kienle (GER) 3:54:35 *
2. Craig Alexander (AUS) 3:55:36
3. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 3:56:25
4. Tim O'Donnell (USA) 3:56:35
5. Andy Potts (USA) 3:56:54

Women
1. Leanda Cave (GBR) 4:28:05
2. Kelly Williamson (USA) 4:29:24
3. Heather Jackson (USA) 4:32:32
4. Melissa Hauschildt (AUS) 4:35:13
5. Joanna Lawn (NZL) 4:36:08