Germans dominant in Ironman

Sun-Sentinel.com ^ | 10-17-04 | Sharon Robb

[Michael81Dus]

Buoyed by a strong bike leg, German Normann Stadler won the Ironman Triathlon World Championships Saturday in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Stadler, 33, of Mannheim, Germany, won his first men's title in 8 hours, 33 minutes and 29 seconds.

His splits were 54:27 for the 2.4-mile ocean swim, 4:37:58 for the 112-mile bike race and 2:57:53 for the 26.2-mile run in windy conditions. "They all told me before the race that a cyclist can't win the race," Stadler said to the crowd. "Well, I won."

Three Germans finished among the top five men. The other top finishers: Peter Reid, 35, Victoria, British Columbia, 8:43:40; Faris Al-Sultan, 26, Munich, Germany; Alex Taubert, 35, Mannheim, Germany; and Rutger Beke, 30, Belgium, 8:54:23. Of the first five, Al-Sultan had the fastest swim (50:39), Stadler the fastest bike (4:37:58) and Reid the fastest marathon (2:46:10).

It was a German sweep as Nina Kraft, three months after winning Ironman Germany, won the women's pro title after one second and two third place finishes the past three years at Hawaii. Kraft, 34, won in 9:33:25. Her 3:06 marathon leg gave her a 15-minute advantage over the field.

Stadler, who trained in San Diego, was among the favorites after his training partners started talking about his bike workouts the past six weeks. He overtook leader Jan Sibbersen after the first 30 miles of the bike leg. Sibbersen, who led the men's field off course during the swim, was first out of the water. Stadler has improved remarkably since finishing 15th in his Hawaii debut three years ago. He said he knew it was only a matter of time before he mastered the world's most challenging triathlon course. It was the first time the race featured two different starts for pros and age-groupers.

[Jaysun]

I don't see this as a good thing. Let's not forget what happened last time the Germans went on a physical fitness tirade - they raised hell all over Europe.

I see it this way, fat lazy citizens are the canaries in the mineshaft of freedom. When they're no longer around you're in trouble.

[Lukasz]

I don't see this as a good thing. Let's not forget what happened last time the Germans went on a physical fitness tirade - they raised hell all over Europe.

Michael tell me the true, what you are planning there? Be honest! :-)

[Michael81Dus]

Ehm... it was Jaysun who wrote the mentioned sentence - not me. :-)

[Lukasz]

I knew it, Jaysun just notice some interesting facts and that is why I asked you that he is right hehe

[American Vet Repairman]

Sure they can work up the bod for Der Futherlund- when they feel froggy and jump they will find out that we are still the oficial exporter of WhupA$$!

[American Vet Repairman]

I mean official. Gotta remember the spell chick.

[Jaysun]

Sure they can work up the bod for Der Futherlund- when they feel froggy and jump they will find out that we are still the oficial exporter of WhupA$$!

Without question. More WhupA$$ sloshes over the side of one of our giant WhupA$$ ocean tankers in a day than all of Europe produces in a year.

[Caipirabob]

Ah yes, you're all class, aren't you?

Some free advice, son. When you win, act like you've been there before.

[rabidralph]

Did you participate in this?

[paul51]

I've always found that those that talk the most have the least to talk about, tough guy.

[ironman]

Yes, 2004 was my 6th Hawaii. Post script to the race, Nina Kraft tested positive for EPO and was stripped of the title and banned from the sport for 2 years.