Posted: September 5, 2005

Triathlon: The Half-IRONMAN in the Principality a success

The first ever Half-IRONMAN Monaco yesterday gave a new image to the Principality. The same grand prix track on which you can find Schumacher and co. each year was raced by the Triathletes this weekend. The winners, Rutger Beke from Belgium and Alexandra Louison from France, were honoured at the Finishline by Prince Albert II. "Monaco has never witnessed such an event before, the atmosphere at the Finishing line in front of the Casino is unique" said Prince Albert II and congratulated the athletes as well as the Austrian organizers.

An early morning call for the citizens of Monaco. With the Start at 7am, the 944 athletes (124 women, 820 men) from 37 nations launched into the 1,9km swim at the Larvotto beach. Race director Georg Hochegger: "To see spectators on the beach and on the balconies of the apartment buildings along the Avenue Princess Grace together with the athletes is unique."

After 25min12sec, the fastest swimmer, Stephane Poulat (FRA), was out of the water. During the 90km bike course, the athletes had to climb over 5 hills and a total of 1.660 meters. After 40km, it was the winner of IRONMAN France-Nice 2005, Hervé Faure (FRA), and the Belgian Rutger Beke (BEL) who took over the lead. On the womens side at this point it was the French teams that had the upper hand. Sophie Delemer, the IRONMAN France 2004 winner, together with Alexandra Louison and Estelle Patou were the ones to lead the field.