Kona 2011 – Swim Gallery
Whether the competitor completes the 2.4 mile excursion in the minimum 48 minutes or the maximum 2 hours 20 minutes, the pulses race from the firing of the cannon just past dawn to the final steps down Alii Drive.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
The intensity as the ferocious swim scrum approaches the narrowing chute into the buoy line.
TJ Tollakson and Ben Hoffman make some last minute adjustments to their bikes on the pier.
Marino Vanhoenacker arrives at the pier before dawn
Yvonne Van Vlerken gets a last minute adjustment to her back.
Young age groupers walk to their bikes as dawn breaks.
Best buds ready for the day of their lives.
Three young women of Team SOAS greet the day on Kailua Pier
Fernanda Keller, Brazil''s legendary six-time 3rd place finisher at Ironman Hawaii, is ready to guide the swimmers on her standup paddle board.
The ancient church stands over the hubbub before the Ford Ironman World Championship start.
The volunteer swim safety crew is ready.
Some age group competitors rest on the Ford logo buoy.
Swim race officials hold the line.
Julie Dibens, Matt Reed and another pro await the start.
Craig Alexander is ready to make history.
The elite swim start at 6:30 AM – giving the pros a half hour head start .
Some 1,700-plus age groupers charge at the cannon.
Age groupers light out for the far buoy 1.2 miles out in the Pacific.
One of 1,865 starters.
The intensity amidst the crowd
Swimmers funnel into the course.
