Posted: July 12, 2004

Triathlon: Nina Kraft and Stefan Holzner Defend their Titles

Opel IRONMAN GERMANY Triathlon 2004

Frankfurt (JS). The Opel IRONMAN GERMANY Triathlon once again saw thousands of spectators along the competition course, that went through the German districts of Frankfurt am Main, Offenbach, Main-Kinzig and Wetterau. According to Police officials, there were more than 300,000 spectators cheering on the 2000 Athletes from 40 different Nations.

Despite the horrible weather conditions experienced during the few days preceding the event, more than 5,000 cheering spectators turned up to watch the 3.8km swim that took place at the Langener Waldsee, just outside of Frankfurt. Hessen’s Regional-Mayor Roland Koch started the 3rd Opel IRONMAN GERMANY Triathlon at 7.11am.

German Jan Sibberson gave the crowd something to cheer about when he finished a sensational swim in 42 minutes and 17 seconds, setting a new World IRONMAN-Distance record. This also broke the course record he set last year. He beat the old world record by more than a minute and a half.

Unbelievable Atmosphere throughout the Competition Course

As the day went on the weather got improved dramatically. The atmosphere along the 180km long bike section just got better and better, especially in the famous hills along the course known as “The Hell” (Maintal-Hochstadt) and “Heartbreak Hill” (Bad Vilbel), which is the highest point along the bike course.

On the Burg-Meile in Friedberg, the atmosphere from the crowd was so amazing that American Professional Tim DeBoom said he had trouble focusing on his race because of the incredible noise generated by the huge crowd.

The Marathon is run along both sides of the River Main, offering spectacular views of the Frankfurt Skyline and the Museumsufer river bank.There were numerous activities provided by event sponsors and clubs including Samba-Drums or Music from the Apple Wine Pub.

Stefan Holzner and Nina Kraft are the Heroes for 2004

In front of an ecstatic crowd Stefan Holzner reached the finish line in front of the historic Frankfurt Römerberg buildings in first place with a time of 8 hours 16 minutes and 35 seconds. Stefan won this prestigious event, considered to be the most important qualifying event for the IRONMAN Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii. For the second year in a row, New Zealand’s amazing Cameron Brown finished in 2nd Place, who crossed the finish line after 8 hours 18 minutes and 11 seconds. America’s Tim DeBoom finished just 36 seconds later. DeBoom was competing in Frankfurt for the first time.

Nina Kraft’s sensational effort saw her win in Frankfurt for the second time. Her time of 8 hours and 58 minutes and 37 seconds was the 10th fastest time ever by a woman in an IRONMAN event. Kraft, who is from Braunschweig, Germany came across the finish line 12th overall. Katja Schumacher, from Heidelberg, Germany, finished in second, 21 minutes and 51 seconds behind Kraft. Third place went to Nina Fischer from Kiel, Germany who finished the competition with a time of 9 hours 33 minutes and 37 seconds.

Kai Hundertmarck Completes a dream Triathlon debut.
The ex-professional cyclist Kai Hundertmarck from Eppstein, Germany celebrated a great start to his Triathlon career with an impressive effort in the Opel IRONMAN GERMANY triathlon. He put together a swim time of 1 hour and 43 seconds, the days second fastest time on the bike (4 hours 29 minutes and 11 seconds) and a run time of 3 hours 22 minutes and 18 seconds to finish in 11th place, with an incredible final time of 8 hours 56 minutes and 18 seconds.