After Tragic Deaths Ironman Ireland Cancelled

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning everyone,

I’m heading out for my final race of the season at Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells. And after twenty years in the sport, you’d think I wouldn’t be getting the classic pre-race jitters. But here we are, nervous, excited, and ready for one more smashfest!

In today’s edition:

• 🛑 After tragedy Ironman Ireland is cancelled

• 🧃 How to fuel your indoor training.

• 🔥 And an incredible burn of an Instagram troll.

Thanks for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free. 

ONE BIG THING

After Tragic Deaths - Ironman Ireland Cancelled in 2024

What is it: After the tragic death of two athletes at this year’s edition of Ironman Ireland, Ironman has decided to “take a hiatus” on the event in 2024.

• According to Ironman, “This pause will allow for further healing while we spend the next year assessing the best path forward to deliver an exceptional weekend of racing once again for our athletes in one of the most passionate host communities in the world.”

Rewind: The pause on the event stems from the tragic deaths of Ironman Ireland competitors Ivan Chittenden (64) and Brendan Wall (45).

• Both athletes passed away during the swim portion of the event which featured incredibly rough waters.

• After a significant outcry that the swim should not have been held, a blame game ensued between Triathlon Ireland and Ironman that resulted in legal threats. 

Read: An athlete’s harrowing account of their experience racing Ironman Ireland.

Economic blow: As reported in the Irish Times, the County Cork council remains “committed to continuing its relationship with Ironman…in recognition of the significant tourism and economic importance that the event has to the region.”

• The Cork Regional Council is still in agreement to host the event in 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Tempo’s take: The fact that two athletes passed away during the race isn’t out of the realm of possibility, as deaths in triathlons are more common than we think.

• Safety-wise it’s pretty clear it’s been a rough year for Ironman with the Ireland tragedy (which was totally preventable), coupled with the shocking Ironman Hamburg motorcycle crash that resulted in the operator’s death.

Going forward, expect Ironman to go the complete opposite direction and adopt an extreme bias towards athlete safety (and media scrutiny).

• And in reality, they already have given the recent cancellation of the Ironman Cozumel swim, and the shortening of the Ironman Maryland swim in September.

TOGETHER WITH REAL TRIATHLON SQUAD

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This January The Real Triathlon Squad is hosting a preseason training camp in Cozumel, Mexico. This incredible experience includes:

• On-the-ground coaching and mentorship from elite RTS coaches.

• Fully immersed training with world-leading professional triathletes.

• Performance-enhancing education opportunities.

• World-class accommodation and all-inclusive dining.

• A hell of a good time. 

Early-bird pricing has been extended to all Tempo subscribers until December 8th. Kick off your best-ever season with this incredible opportunity from RTS.

Email [email protected] for info on pricing and the limited availability!

FAVORITES

🦶 Kick-start your swim: Swimming is very arm-centric, but the kick can often play a huge role in your ability to move through the water well. Learn how to properly integrate your kick and your swim. [220 Triathlon]

😆 Swim, bike, lol: This “Ironman-wrapped” post is hilarious, self-aware, and hits a little too close to home. Like how do they know about my easy runs?!?! [Ironman Europe]

✅ Opportunity alert: These next few months are a huge opportunity to improve your triathlon weaknesses. One way to make huge gains for 2024? Block training. [NVDM Coaching]

💦 Indoor fueling: Winter isn’t coming…it’s here! And we should be fueling our indoor cycling rides accordingly. Especially when it comes to fluid consumption. [Rouleur.cc]

🤕 Female concussion: Women are at a higher risk of sustaining a sports-related concussion, and the symptoms can be wildly different than men. [Feisty]

REEL TIME

There’s no doubt Els Visser (NED) gave it her all at last weekend’s Challenge Canberra!

elsvisser_

View more on Instagram

🔥 Burn alert! 🔥 Multiple Ironman World Champ Daniela Ryf absolutely roasts an armchair bike fit expert.

QUICK NEWS

Team takes shape: British triathletes Alex Yee and Beth Potter have been selected for the Great Britain Olympic team for 2024. Both have blistering run speed and are serious threats for the gold medal. [British Triathlon]

New boss: Congrats to Ruth Daniels who will take over as Chief Executive of British Triathlon from Andy Salmon. She will start January 29 at the position, while Salmon takes over Swim England. [Twitter]

Ultra tough: Tired after running one marathon? What about two? New Zealand athlete Simon Cochrane won the Ultraman World Championship — and shattered the world-best time — completing it in 20:57:46. In case you aren’t familiar, it involves three days of racing and two marathons on day three. Don’t ask about day one or two! [Triathlon Magazine]

WEEKEND RACES

Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells

Women’s race: Tamara Jewitt (CAN) will be incredibly tough to beat, but Jackie Hering (USA) will be looking to get away off the front and she’ll no doubt have company with short-course Solveig Lovseth (NOR) and Jodie Stimpson (GBR) looking to hit the late season podium.

Men’s race: Lots of lads in this one including your newsletter editor. Loads of good front-pack #teamarms athletes including Ben Kanute (USA), Marc Dubrick (USA), Greg Harper (USA) and Casper Stornes (NOR) will be pushing the pace from the front.

• They’ll be trying to stay away from #teamlegs in the field which includes athletes like Sam Long (USA), Jackson Laundry (CAN), and Trevor Foley (USA).

• Plenty of intrigue in this one and no doubt risks will be taken!

Full start lists

Ironman Western Australia

Women’s race: Plenty of firepower in this race, especially when the likes of Olympic medalist Lisa Norden (SWE) makes an appearance. Look for her to be pushing hard the entire day and will most likely have Fenella Langridge (GBR) with her for at least the swim and the bike.

• The Netherlands should be represented on the podium with Els Visser and Lotte Wilms in attendance. Look for Wilms to try and roll with Norden for the bike.

Men’s race: Some heavy hitters in this one including Daniel Baekkegard (DEN) who will be looking for his first Ironman win of the year, and perennial podium performer Steve McKenna (AUS).

The race will come down to a tactical battle on the run with Baekkegard, McKenna, and Sam Appleton (AUS) likely battling until the final miles of the run.

Full start lists

TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE

• How to nail your Ironman training nutrition. 

• A world leading researcher explains how to train in heat.

• Build it - but will they come? The crazy story of the Triterium.

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