Posted: October 26, 2004

Triathlon: CEO Ironman Challenge World Championship Results – Kona, Hawaii

Jirout wins title of “Fittest CEO in the World”

KONA, Hawaii - Wolfgang Jirout of Vienna, Austria won the CEO Ironman Challenge World Championship held in conjunction with the Hawaii Ironman Championship October 16, 2004. Full results are listed below.

Jirout qualified for the CEO Ironman Challenge in Hawaii by winning the CEO Challenge held at Ironman Austria in July. Jirout, 43, owner of an insurance brokerage company (Life Settlement Holding), put together a good swim over the 2.4-mile course (1:08) with a strong bike ride over 112 miles (5:43) followed by a marathon run of 3:37, to finish in 10:38.13. Jirout finished 20 minutes ahead of last year’s champion, 42 year-old Luis Alvarez of Mexico City (10:58). Third place went to the CEO Challenge winner from Lake Placid, 38 year-old John Potter of Philadelphia in 11:11.

Conditions this year were some of the most difficult ever experienced at the Hawaii Ironman Championship, with strong head winds on the bike, and brutally hot temperatures on the lava fields of the big island.

There were twelve CEO Ironman Challenge competitors taking part in the event that included a private dinner with some of the top Pros, full VIP access for two, race day spotting for guests of the CEO’s, and culminated with an Awards Brunch at the Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai.

John Macfarlane, COO of Tudor Investments (who at 50 was the oldest CEO competitor and finished in 12:41) stated, “The CEO Challenge was a truly memorable experience, and the entire event was exceptionally well run. Kona is a beautiful spot and the town was wonderfully hospitable to race participants and their families. The energy and buzz of pre-race week was contagious and seeing/meeting some of the sport's legends only provided further inspiration. I'm energized for the next year – hopefully we’ll see you there in 2005.”

John Schlagenhauf, owner of Badger Trucks in Wisconsin (who finished fourth overall in 11:26), provided this feedback after the event: “The entire CEO Challenge Hawaii was an unforgettable experience. The CEO dinner on Tuesday, where we were able to meet the other CEO's, World Triathlon Corp. staff, and past and present legends of the Hawaii Ironman, was a top notch event. Getting the VIP passes added a lot to the Ironman experience, but the best part was having the family's waiting for us at the finish line. Having them at the finish line removes the concern of finding them after the race. I know I really appreciate it and so did my family. Thanks again for putting on such a great event.”

Although she came in just after the midnight cutoff, Carri Bennet, who was the sole female CEO competitor, said, “While not an official finisher, I got to experience the Hawaiian Ironman to the fullest. Even though I failed to medal, I had a 3 time finisher at Kona, Tim Morris, give me his finisher's medal in the true Ironman spirit. (You would have to pry mine from my cold dead hand!). I vow here and now to return to Kona some day and finish in under 17 hours so that I may return Tim Morris his 2004 medal….I consider myself the luckiest CEO because how many of the CEOs can say they were "leid" by Norman Stadler (and kissed several times to boot)!”

The CEO Ironman Challenge is a program designed to be a 'race within the race' for CEO's and high ranking corporate officers who compete in Ironman triathlons. It recognizes that corporate leaders have a very high level of demand on their time and most travel constantly. It also recognizes that they have achieved a certain level of success, and are looking for the ultimate Ironman experience that includes meeting Pro athletes, the best help available, removal of all hassles, and guests that are fully catered to while the CEO prepares for, and races in, the Ironman.

In 2005 there are three CEO Ironman Challenge events planned worldwide, run in conjunction with Ironman Coeur d’Alene in June, Ironman Austria in early July, and Ironman USA Lake Placid in late July. Each of these races will have up to five slots in various age groups qualifying CEO’s for the Hawaii Ironman World Championship, and the chance to compete for the title of ‘Fittest CEO in the World!”

More information on the CEO Ironman Challenge can be found at www.ceochallenges.com, or by contacting Ted Kennedy at 303-442-9097 x 23, or Ted@ironmanusa.com.

2004 CEO Ironman Challenge Championship Results – Kona, Hawaii
1.      Wolfgang Jirout, 43, Life Settlement Holding AG, Vienna, Austria – 10:38
2.      Luis Alvarez, 42, Aloymex, Mexico City – 10:58
3.      John Potter, 38, Potter Periodontics, Allentown, PA – 11:11
4.      John Schlagenhauf, 44, Bader Truck Center, Brookfield, WI – 11:26
5.      Stefan Fischer, 40, NewLab BioQuality, Germany – 11:56
6.      Michael Fisch, 42, American Securities Capital, NY, NY – 12:15
7.      Gunter Liska, 43, Xerox Beteilgungsgesellschaft mbH, Vienna, Austria – 12:28
8.      Joe DeSena, 35, Burlington Capital Markets, NY, NY – 12:39
9.      David Perry, 36, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, California – 12:39 (tied)
10.  John Macfarlane, 50, Tudor Investment Corp, Greenwich, CT – 12:41
11.  David Mullaney, 38, Petro Steel International, Philadelphia, PA – 12:47
12.  Carri Bennet, Female, Bennet & Bennet, Washington, DC – 17:06

CEO Ironman Challenge World Champion Wolfgang Jirout – the Fittest CEO in the World!

CEO Challenge competitors, and event organizer Ted Kennedy, relax at the Awards Brunch the day after the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. The top finishers are wearing their limited edition CEO Ironman Challenge Hawaii shirts.