“We are thrilled to add Facebook to our lineup of global digital and broadcast partners.” said Matthieu van Veen, Chief Revenue Officer for Ironman. “We are excited to bring this live and interactive experience to our global community, giving it a new way to watch and engage with Ironman. We are confident that our lineup of programming will have broad global appeal to our loyal athletes and fans and will introduce new athletes to our community.”
 
The live events will be hosted by IM World Champion and  Hall of Famer Greg Welch, three-time IRONMAN Champion Michael Lovato, and three-time IM champion Dede Griesbauer.  Ann Wessling and Michael Lovato will host the live weekly show and provide a comprehensive and interactive round-up of the previous week’s races, as well as deliver race previews and news around the season. Eight-time IM World Champion Paula Newby Fraser will also provide her unique perspective on the quest to qualify for the 2018 IM World Championship. 

  
Live race coverage of the following events as well as live weekly episodes and a range of on-demand programming will be available in the United States on Facebook Watch and globally via the IRONMAN now Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/IRONMANnow.

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Event Name

Location

Race Date

IRONMAN France

Nice, France

June 24

IRONMAN Austria

Klagenfurt, Austria

July 1

Mainova IRONMAN European Championship

Frankfurt, Germany

July 8

IRONMAN UK

Bolton, England

July 15

IRONMAN Lake Placid

Lake Placid, New York

July 22

IRONMAN Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

July 29

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IRONMAN Maastricht

Maastricht, The Netherlands

Aug 5

Subaru IRONMAN Mont Tremblant

presented by Sportium

Mont Tremblant, Canada

Aug 19

IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun

Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria

Aug 26

IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

Nelson Mandalay Bay, South Africa

Sept 1-2

IRONMAN Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

Sep 9

IRONMAN Italy Emilia Romagna

Cervia, Italy

Sep 22

Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga

presented by McKee A Family Bakery

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Sep 30

IRONMAN Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain

Oct 7

IRONMAN World Championship (*)

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Oct 13

IRONMAN Arizona

Tempe, Arizona

Nov 18

(*) Live coverage on NBC Sports  in the United States

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They are advising purchasers of Zoggs Fogbuster Anti-Fog & Lens Cleaner to stop using it immediately and return it to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund.

They have now permanently discontinued this product.

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If you have any concerns at all you can contact Zoggs for more information on their consumer helplines (open weekdays 8am-7pm, weekends 9am-5pm): 01276 486513 or 01276 486545, or email them at [email protected]  

Since the recent incident at the Royal Windsor Triathlon on 17 June, we have been going through our internal review process and liaising with other stakeholders including the police, who are investigating the matter further.

We believe we have identified two individuals at fault, but we won’t be revealing further details or sharing their identities, as this is a police matter. One cyclist will receive a lifetime ban from all Human Race events, a 2nd (who did come forward after the incident) will receive a 12 month ban from all of our events. As the investigations are still ongoing this is pending any further information or mitigating circumstances that may come to light in the future. We are liaising with British Triathlon, who will be responsible for taking their own actions.

As a result of our internal review, we will implement the following actions as an organisation:

– We will improve our signage for the Royal Windsor Triathlon, to ensure all road users are aware of the event. We are holding a review of the event with the local SAG (Safety Advisory Group, which includes the council and police amongst others) on signage. This will include a thorough review of advance warning signage and on-the-day event signage. The end result will be additional signage along the course.

– We will improve communication to the horse riding community in the area, through direct contact with stables, polo clubs, etc. This will provide advance warning of the event to this group. We take responsibility to make sure this is as thorough as possible.

– We will improve education to our participants and the wider cycling and triathlon community about the Highway Code and the likelihood of horses (or other users) being on the road. This will be over and above ensuring competitors are aware the Highway Code is to be abided by in our pre-event communications and pre-race briefings. Moving forward we will implement the following:

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For all our participants we will specifically communicate the details of the Highway Code that are relevant, to ensure triathletes are informed of what to do and how to keep everyone safe in a similar situation.
We will also be creating an educational advertising plan to our wider audience in the cycling and triathlon community, about how best to deal with any similar situation they may find themselves in.

  We take this incident very seriously and are committed to improving our processes.

We believe this mishap is a poor representation of the triathlon community. The vast majority of triathletes and cyclists do follow the rules and ride with due care towards others.

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Follow up regarding incident with horse rider and cyclists at the Royal Windsor Triathlon

How to cycle past a horse and rider safely

Ironman made the decision because of the Winter Hill fire near Bolton, saying that this was the only solution, “which enables the race to go ahead, and ensures our athletes, volunteers, marshals and staff remain safe.’

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#heroes #winterhillfire #home

A post shared by @ haybaby85 on Jun 30, 2018 at 2:41pm PDT

However many are questioning on social media whether those that complete have the right to call themselves an Ironman, and why they couldn’t include an extra loop to make up the distance. There are also calls for compensation/entry fees to be reimbursed or the right to defer the entries.

So with the implementation of the new bike course #IMUK is no longer an IM. 6 months of hard training feels like it’s no longer worth it. Still they’ve got our cash now, haven’t they?

— Ben Belcher (@BenBelcher76) July 10, 2018

If you were gonna run a marathon and the distance was cut from 26.2 to say 23.1 miles. Would you still have the balls to look back on your day and say you’ve completed a marathon or just a long old day in your Asics?? #imuk #ironmanuk #itwontbeanironman

— Rob Irwin (@RobbieSwayzie) July 11, 2018

There are also concerns about the swim going ahead due to higher than normal blue-green algae levels at the swim venue Pennington Flash, however indications are that the swim quality there is improving  

We spoke to Ironman and put these questions to them;

What’s been changed on the bike course and why? 

Due to recent wildfires, and after extensive consultation with our council partners, local authorities and other key stakeholders, a decision was taken to implement an alternate bike course for IRONMAN UK.   Athletes will exit Transition 1 at Pennington Flash as normal and ride 15 miles to the start of the 2-lap section.  

After climbing Babylon Lane athletes will now TURN LEFT onto Nickleton Brow instead of heading past New Road Rivington. The aid station will now be located on Nickleton Brow.

Athletes will cross Rivington Reservoir via Knowsley Lane and continue onto Moor Road. Moor Road is a technical climb with a long descent. After climbing Moor Road athletes can enjoy panoramic views of the North West before starting the technical descent.

The course will then merge onto Higher House Lane before taking a right onto Hollin Lane, left onto Coppice Lane, right onto Tithe Barne Lane merging onto Chapel Lane before re-joining the original course in Wheelton on the A674.

What will happen to competitors who decide to repeat a loop on the bike leg to make up the distance? 

 Athlete safety is our priority. Athletes who decide to repeat a loop will present a safety risk to other competitors which can result in a disqualification, in accordance with Competition Rules 5.01.e  

Has the bike cut off times changed? 

 No. Cut-off times have not changed.  

Are those who really want to do the distance allowed to defer their entry?  

Deferrals are unfortunately not possible. All events are subject to change due to external occurrences and with this year’s race affected by wildfires, the changes are necessary for the race to safely go ahead. While we sympathise, we aim to continue to deliver an athlete experience to its fullest possible extent. Unfortunately the environmental effects on Ironman UK have occurred beyond our control and our team, who have planned and prepared for the race for more than a year, do not take lightly this decision to change the planned course.  

Why has the race remained a Kona qualifying race?

 Kona slots are allocated to all Ironman races on a pre-determined basis. It is standard procedure that an adjusted race remains an official qualifier. Kona qualification is awarded to athletes that perform top in their age group. As all Ironman UK athletes will continue to compete against others in their age category, and all complete the same race distance, Kona qualification still stands.  

Does these changes make it easier to qualify for Kona from IMUK, compared to other Ironman qualifiers?

    No, Ironman UK remains a challenging event and every athlete completes the same distance. Qualification is based on age group position, not finish time in relation to other events.  

Is the swim affected by algae?   

The recent heatwave across the UK has caused a rise in blue-green algae levels and rising water temperature at the swim venue at Pennington Flash. With weather conditions affecting the presence and dissipation of blue-green algae, we will continue to monitor the swim venue through water quality testing. If the swim gets cancelled the event will commence as a bike-run.  

Was cancelling or postponing the race ever an option?  

Our aim is deliver a safe race despite the circumstances. Cancellation is a last resort if the race cannot be delivered safely,  however the changed course allows for a safe race.

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What do you think? Should Ironman have offered compensation/deferred entry? 

Albeit unashamedly for-profit, as decreed by Wanda Group, its Chinese conglomerate owners, the brand consistently deliver world-class endurance events across the world, and for two decades Klagenfurt has been a particularly popular destination given its picturesque course, and potential for fast times and Kona qualification.

It’s provided some seminal moments in professional racing too, such as in 2011 when Marino Vanhoenacker won his sixth title in 7:45:58, a time that stood as an Ironman-brand record for five years.

So what’s this gripe of a column for?

Well, nothing, if you’re counting the Ironman coffers or deservedly admiring your bling while sipping a post-race Stiegl.

Yet for those at the sharp end of the race and trying to make a living from the relatively trifling prize money on offer, or for those devotedly – or perhaps deludedly – following Ironman racing and trying to believe in its viability as professional sport, there was quite a bit that went wonky.

Unfortunately, in a week in which cycling was mired in a debacle over whether Chris Froome would race the Tour de France, Austria delivered a podium half-filled with triathletes who can be linked to the stench of doping. They comprise men’s winner Michael Weiss, runner-up Ivan Tutukin, and women’s runner-up Lisa Huetthaler. Each sorry tale has its vagaries, and a quick web-search will send you down those rabbit holes if you choose, but it underlines how triathlon is not free of the stigma that blights so many sports.  

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However, the focus for this column – and an area that could be more easily rectified (if there’s a will) – was highlighted by a “Statement Regarding Drafting and Moto-pacing at Ironman Austria” released by fourth-placed British professional, Susie Cheetham, shortly after the race.

 

*Statement Regarding Drafting and Moto-pacing at Ironman Austria* Many people may have been disappointed be scenes of drafting and moto-pacing at Ironman Austria. I felt that unfair racing and officiating took place at the front of the women’s race, and that it affected the results on the day. I presented video and photo evidence this morning in an appeal against one of the top 3 girls for unfair drafting, and against the race officials for inadequate marshalling and providing an unfair advantage due to inadequate Moto-discipline. I’m pleased to say that after reviewing my evidence, and race footage, my appeal has been upheld. It has been agreed that the front 3 women received an unfair advantage. Although I have been told that retrospective penalties cannot be applied under the race rules; action will be taken to ADVANCE ALL WOMEN PROS BY 5 MIN FROM 4TH PLACE. The official results will be amended. I’m happy with this outcome as it vindicates my concerns that the front of the women’s race was not raced fairly. Unfortunately this will not change the positions and I believe that the advantage gained was a lot more than 5 min. I would also have raced differently if I had known I was 9 min back off the bike, rather than 14 min. I really appreciate the genuine concern and interest that I have been shown by the race organisers, officials and Ironman management. I think the matter has been handled swiftly and as well as possible, and I hope this can be used to learn and make this beautiful race better. Susie

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The legendary race began life in 1988 as the America’s Paradise Triathlon, and will once again offer more Caribbean splendour of turquoise waters, golden sands and sub-tropical rainforests… and the legendary ‘Beast’ climb that delivers a sucker punch for anyone who forgets this is one of the toughest middle-distance races on the planet.

The December 2018 event will offer three races: Long Distance Course (2km swim/90km bike/21km run), a sprint and a sprint aquathlon. Relays are offered in the Long Distance Course and Sprint Triathlon races. In addition, the Long Distance Course race is designated as the Caribbean Long Distance Triathlon Championship.

“We’re are bringing the race back to its initial grassroots nature,” says race organiser Theresa Harper after Ironman dropped their 70.3 event in 2017. “Once again as an independent race, we’re focusing on community involvement. Our goal is to bring back legendary pro triathletes who were part of the beginning years of making history on St. Croix. So far we have Michellie Jones, Karen Smyers and Wendy Ingraham coming. Karen has offered to put on a tri clinic as a contribution to our post-hurricane recovery efforts.

“Nearly 100% of the proceeds of this year’s race, including the clinic, will be donated to several local non-profits who were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017,” adds Harper. “Recovery is happening (slowly) but there are still many homes without roofs and businesses that have yet to reopen.”

Those who came and conquered St. Croix over the past 30 years essentially reads like a who’s who of the sport’s legends. That cast list has included Mark Allen, Scott Tinley, Dave Scott, Scott Molina, Mike Pigg, Paula Newby-Fraser, Erin Baker, Karen Smyers, Greg Welch, Michellie Jones, Natasha Badmann and Spencer Smith.

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Head to stxtriathlon.com for more information on the Beauty & the Beast Triathlon.

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The north German city has proven a happy hunting ground for the 28-year-old Spaniard, who relied on his formidable leg speed on the 5km run to come from behind and triumph for the third straight year.

Britain’s Jonny Brownlee raced aggressively to forge a three-man breakaway on the bike, but was eventually out-sprinted by France’s Vincent Luis and South African Richard Murray and had to settle for fourth.

“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” Mola said of the city where he’s enjoyed such success. “I enjoy the course and the venue.

“I am very happy with how things have gone, but know from past experience it’s not decided until the end. I just have to keep doing the work and hopefully will be at my best in [Gold Coast in] September.”

Hamburg is the longest-standing venue on the ITU World Triathlon Series calendar, having hosted events since 2002. It reverted to sprint distance in 2012 and consistently draws crowds of thousands.

Mola went into the race with a commanding lead over Luis in the series thanks to a win in Yokohama, runners-up spots in Abu Dhabi and Leeds, and a fourth place in Bermuda.

Tom Bishop was the highest-ranked Brit in 14th, with Brownlee having competed just once in an injury and illness-ravaged season.  

Belgium’s Marten van Riel and Slovakian Richard Varga led out the 56-strong field over the 750m swim, which included a short, dark tunnel section before they reached the ramp to T1.

New Zealand’s Ryan Sissons also marked his 50th WTS race by joining Australian Ryan Bailie in picking up a 10sec penalty for a false start.

After the race looked like it might come together on the flat, city centre course, Kristian Blummenfelt, Luis and Brownlee managed to make a breakaway stick and grew the lead to 15secs halfway into the 20km and retained the advantage into T2.

Brownlee (2013) and Luis (2014) had both won previously in Hamburg, and Norwegian Blummenfelt had recorded four runners-up spots in his past seven WTS races, so it looked as if all three were strong podium contenders.

But on the first lap of two on the run, Blummenfelt pulled up with what looked like a stomach issue, and Murray and Mola all but eroded the lead of Luis and Brownlee.

The four came together with just 2km to go, before it was Mola who seized the initiative to ease clear clocking a 13.59 5km split, with Luis just having the speed to pip Murray for second. Bishop finished 17th with Sheldon being lapped out on the bike.

The team mixed relay takes place tomorrow and the next stop on the World Triathlon Series is Edmonton on July 27-29, with Montreal and the Grand Finals at Gold Coast to finish the season.

Hamburg WTS: Race result.

Mario Mola, 53.24

Vincent Luis, +5sec

Richard Murray, +8

Jonny Brownlee, +12

Jacob Birtwhistle, +18

Series standings.

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Mario Mola, 4641pts

Vincent Luis, 3133

Richard Murry, 2507

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Jacob Birtwhistle, 2389

Pierre Le Corre, 2226

The reigning French champion had finished eighth in Yokohama and recorded the fastest women’s split in the mixed team relay in Nottingham in June.

But this still represented a huge breakthrough for the 21-year-old who dropped out of last year’s race in Hamburg after the swim.

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Germany’s Laura Lindemann – who beat Beaugrand to the junior world title in Edmonton in 2014 – held off series leader Katie Zaferes to go one better than her third place in Hamburg last year. Non Stanford and Jodie Stimpson were the best of the Brits in sixth and seventh.

“Last year I had a crash and today it’s Bastille Day and my boyfriend’s birthday, so I’m very happy to win,” Beaugrand said.

Lindemann said: “I didn’t expect to be on the podium after the swim and bike. I had such a bad transition and just ran for my life. I really like to race here with a home crowd.

“Cassandra was amazing. I raced with her as a junior and mostly I won, but now I’m very happy to see her winning a WTS race.”

The women’s race started an hour after the men’s in Hamburg and was again a non-wetsuit swim. It featured a strong British contingent with Vicky Holland, Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown, joining Stanford and Stimpson.

The series also welcomed back reigning world champion Flora Duffy. The Bermudan won in Hamburg last summer, and had been out with injury since winning her home WTS in April.

Learmonth, the Commonwealth silver medallist behind Duffy, was ranked eleventh having only appeared twice in the WTS this season, but it was no surprise to see the Yorkshire triathlete emerge first from the water with the competition lined out behind.

Duffy and Taylor-Brown were also in close proximity and it was the Bermudan who surged to the front on the bike as a front pack of six formed also including Beaugrand, Vittoria Lopes of Brazil, and the steadily improving Taylor Spivey of the US, who finished seventh in Leeds.

While Duffy so often manages to break away, either solo or in a small group, the rare presence in WTS racing of 2012 Olympic champion Nicola Spirig, combined with the efforts of Australian Ashleigh Gentle and Britain’s Jodie Stimpson, meant the chasing pack cut the lead from 25sec to just 13sec heading into the final bike lap of six.

The field were back together by the time they reached T2 and while Spirig and Stimpson took the lead initially, it was soon Beaugrand who burst with seeming effortless ease to the front and was never threatened as she decimated a world-class field over the run to win by 30secs.

Rounding out the Brits, Taylor-Brown finished 11th, Learmonth 14th and Holland 22nd, as she slipped from second to fourth in the overall standings.

Hamburg WTS: Race result.

Cassandre Beaugrand 58.06

Laura Lindemann +30sec

Katie Zaferes +31

Nicola Spirig +36

Kirsten Kasper +38

Series standings

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Katie Zaferes 3493pts

Rachel Klamer 2639

Vicky Holland 2579

Flora Duffy 2496

Kirsten Kasper 2480