Are you or your friends participating in the IRONMAN Malaysia tomorrow Saturday, 14 November? Even if you can’t join them in Langkawi Island, the Jewel of Kedah join us for some updates and track them online tomorrow!
Located within a cluster of tropical islands that attract visitors the world over, the race will take athletes on a truly Malaysian cultural journey through tropical, hilly and demanding terrain passing traditional kampungs (villages), mangrove clusters and rainforest vistas on the Langkawi island.
Blue skies and sunshine in Langkawi
The weather looks beautiful, with blue skies and sunshine in Langkawi. The ocean swim starts from the picturesque white sandy beach of Pantai Kok with a two-loop triangle out and back course. A two-loop bike course heads out of Pantai Kok on to a clockwise loop from towards the rolling hills of Datai and the fringes of Kuah Town.
Athletes will return from the bike into an unique indoor air conditioned transition at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Center (next to the airport) . The new 2 lap run course will be an amazing scenic run beside the Langkawi International Airport towards the finish line at the stunning Cenang beach.
The Male and Female professionals were on hand to answer questions from the fans, and to give some advice at the Expo and Welcome Dinner.
Sizzling talent and sizzling conditions ahead
There’s quantity matched by quality for this weekend’s IRONMAN Malaysia on the stunning Langkawi Island. The race has attracted IRONMAN winners galore and in-form triathletes among the 36 pro men and 27 pro females lining up in Langkawi Island.
The hot favourite is German Diana Riesler who will defend her title, coming to Malaysia after a storming win at IRONMAN Lanzarote.
She will be joined by 2014 IRONMAN Lanzarote winner Romain Guilliane from France who is top seed in the men’s division. If Lanzarote tests the toughest of the tough, it may well be a drawcard for the respective winners to tackle the climes and the climbs in Langkawi.
“IRONMAN Malaysia is one of the most stunning and one of the toughest events at the same time,” says Riesler.”It is famous for its heat and humidity. You race the course, not the competition. It is a unique experience. For me it is a must-do IRONMAN.”
Also entered in the women’s race is IRONMAN legend and six-time world champion Natascha Badmann of Switzerland. A number of women are in Malaysia on the back of strong form. That includes a number of Australians including Sarah Crowley, a recent winner of the IRONMAN 70.3 Gurye in Korea; Kate Bevilaqua was second at IRONMAN 70.3 Taiwan and Michelle Duffield who was fourth at IRONMAN Japan.
Watch too for Lucie Zelenkova from the Czech Republic, who was fifth at IRONMAN Copenhagen this year and has been runner-up at Brazil and Germany. American Bree Wee impressed with her runner-up performance at IRONMAN Japan while Japan’s Keiko Tanaka was runner-up to Riesler last year.
Star-studded Mens line-up
In the men, Guillaume, third this year in IRONMAN France, is another who is attracted to the challenges in Malaysia.
“It is boiling hot but I am really looking forward to racing this weekend. This place in amazing,” Guillaume says.
Last year’s runner-up Fredrik Croneborg is back hoping to go better than in 2014, with the Swede warming up with a solid third placing at IRONMAN 70.3 Taiwan. Watch too for former IRONMAN Australia winner Paul Ambrose, who was fifth in Taiwan, while Australian-based Kiwi, Guy Crawford will be on a high after his breakthrough IRONMAN 70.3 win in Taiwan.
The course has been altered from 12 months ago with the swim moved to the other side of the island to start at the splendid Danna Hotel at the stunning beach resort of Pantai Kok. The highly acclaimed bike course is unchanged, although the second transition has moved to a unique air-conditioned indoor venue near the airport. This leads to a multi-lap run course which runs along the Cenang beaches.
Ironkids – the future Ironman
Even the kids were having their share of Iron-fun at the IRONKIDS 1km dash this morning, ending at the official finisher arch. Everyone received an IRONKIDS medal, button badge and raisins, my all-time favourite!
There are 40 qualifying slots to the 2016 IRONMAN World Championship in Kaliua-Kona, Hawaii.
Source: Ironman.com