Volcano impacts IM South Africa
209 athletes who planned to race Ironman South Africa on Sunday April 25th, are feeling the effects of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and won't be able to get to the start line of the event, but all is not lost.
With so many flights canceled in Europe and all kinds of businesses and sporting events impacted by this random natural occurrence, the ashes of Eyjafjallajökull have now seemingly reached the world of triathlon too. According to European Ironman headquarters, 209 athletes are impacted by canceled flights and these athletes represent roughly 10% of the field.
For the athletes who flew to South Africa early or will be able to fly in from other regions, this is actually not such bad news as they now have to face fewer competitors in the various age groups and that is true for the Pro field too. But for those who prepared for months and now are stuck at home or in an airport, this certainly is quite a blow. But a solution is now on the horizon, and free slots to various European races are offered by the European Ironman headquarters to the impacted athletes.
"The Ironman races in Europe are completely filled up, but Wiesbaden, Rapperswil and St. Pölten are willing to open the doors for those who have spent hundreds of training hours and kilometers in the last few months and now won't be able to test the fruits of their labor this coming weekend," said Kai Walter, managing director of the European headquarters. "We will move those applications from South Africa over to the races in Europe fast and unbureaucratic in the interest of the athletes."
Among the Pro triathletes impacted by the volcano is Gerrit Schellens from Belgium who has already won Ironman South Africa twice, but he will not be able to make it to South Africa in a timely fashion. Currently there is no word what race he'll be doing instead. Swiss Pro Mathias Hecht was also struggling to get a flight, but it now appears he'll be flying to South Africa tonight.
"The organizers regret that a refund can not be offered," added Stefan Petschnig, the communications director of Ironman Europe. "We ask all impacted athletes to contact Sharon Talbot as soon as possible to cancel their South Africa start and get the new registration in."
Related link
Contact Sharon Talbot (Ironman Europe)
