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Multisport Ironman FranceIronman BrazilGreat Floridian TriParis MarathonRome MarathonBerlin Marathon
Cycling
Snow Skiing
Waterskiing
Golfing y |
Welcome to the second IronMan France June 17th to June 23rd, 2003
Well!!! The 1st Ironman France is now over, and based of the opinions we've been gathering (and ours!), it was a great race. Read our race-report. Feel free to email us your comments. Organizers are already taking applications and we are doing the same. Race day is June 21st, 2003. Come see first hand why some are calling Ironman France the toughest Ironman race anywhere.
- Translation services throughout your stay from the time we pick you up to the time we drop you off. - Airport Transfer on June 17th from Strasbourg airport or train-station to the hotel in Gerardmer. Return to Strasbourg airport/train-station on June 23rd is also included. We will also be able to take a limited number of participants directly to Paris by Mini-bus. - 6 nights accommodation in Gerardmer's Grand Hotel which is located by the start of the race. Accommodations are based on double occupancy. There is a supplement of $95 for those who would rather have a single room. The Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Gerardmer which is about 1 hour south of Strasbourg, in the East region of France called "Les Vosges".
- Breakfast each morning at the Hotel - Lunch or Dinner daily ("Menu du Jour") at one of the Hotel's 2 restaurants
- A van is available for any transportation needs around Gerardmer; grocery store run, mechanical assistance with your bike, etc... We will have a couple of Tours of the bike course scheduled. Additional Tours can be scheduled as well. - Currency exchange
(Rates are an estimate based on figures for 2002. Because of currency exchange and other variables, rates may vary up until the time of reservation). The rate for this package is $825 per person. A deposit of 50% is required. No reservation will be guaranteed without deposit. Final payment is due by April 16th, 2003. A group rate may be available for groups of 4 or more. Please contact us for more information. We would encourage anyone looking to participate to
(based on 2002 schedule. 2003 schedule may vary slightly) Here is a description of the week ; Tuesday June 17th - Getting over jetlag, getting situated (expo, situation of hotel), etc. Wednesday June 18th Thursday June 19th Friday June 20th Saturday June 21st Sunday June 22nd Monday June 23rd
More information can be obtained at : www.ironmanfrance.com Drawings of the itineraries of each event can be seen at : www.ironmanfrance.com/english/strecke.htm
Wouldn't it be a shame to be so close to everything Paris has to offer and not enjoy any of it? That is why we are offering an extension to our Ironman Trip from the 23rd of June 2003. The number of days you wish to stay is up to you, but we would recommend no-less than 3 days; there is plenty to see and do in Paris. We have a selection of hand-picked hotels matching all budgets. Since there is so much to see and do in and around Paris, we will provide transportation (metro and bus) and show you around thus saving you time trying to figure out how everything works. Our schedule also allows for time on your own if you wish to take a leisurely stroll down great avenues or through romantic parks. You will get to see many of the monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Montmartre, etc. Of course a Paris by night is a must and we will also take a boat on the Seine river (which is one of the best ways of seeing all the monuments). Prices for this extension will vary based on the type of hotel you pick and the length of stay. Contact us for more details.
Thinking of Racing in the 2003 Great Floridian? Click here: Great Floridian
More pictures at end of article
Careful selection of the site and
protagonists was critical ; job well done.
When we arrived at Gerardmer on June 18th (race was June 22nd) the entire town it seemed was busy getting ready for the race. Despite the record breaking heat, locals and organizers alike were building stages, setting up tents, planting flowers and even re-paving roads. Competitors were everywhere getting a feel for the “hills” on foot or on bikes; the longest stretch of flat section would definitely be the swim! After getting ourselves settled we went for a first bike reco. on Thursday... I think someone (Marc Kurtzhalts will recognize himself) said it best when he sarcastically described the bike course as “sporty”. Later Marc Allen would confirm by saying that this was the toughest bike course of any Ironman Race; 3 Laps of 60km would have racers chin-up or chin-down. Not a flat section to be found and, at no point in the race, could you use the momentum of a down-hill to carry over into the uphill. The run race would not be any flatter!!!
As race day neared, the temperature was cooling off and the weather-service had forecast mid-70’s temperature with a slightly overcast sky. This was not to be! On race day, 1100 contestants lined the shores of Lake Gerardmer ready to take place in what would later be described by many as “the toughest Ironman Race”. Water temperature was 77 by my measurements (middle of Lake ; 3 feet below surface). Air temperature would reach the mid-nineties!
After the usual but always spectacular start, a group of 7 quickly pulled away. This group would soon split into a lead group of 3 and a second group of 4 which included Francois Chabaud who would (much)later win the race.
Coming out of the water, the first group of 3 were still together... Wendy Ingraham was the third in 47:03, demonstrating again her swimming skills and placing the 2nd female contestant slightly over 5 minutes behind her.
While the first lap on the bikes was more of an observation round for the men, the second saw Philippe Achleitner, Uwe Widmann and Chris Lieto take turns for the lead. In the third Francois Chabaud would take the lead and never give it up again, starting the run course with a 7 minute lead. In the meantime, on the women
side, Wendy Ingraham would hold the lead through the first lap of the bike
course but couldn’t contain an
impressive Karin Thurig of Switzerland. Karin got off her bike with a 24
minute lead over Ingraham now
joined by Gina Kehr. Halfway through the foot race, Francois Chabaud had lost half of his lead to Stephan Riesen but would manage to hold off Stephan’s come-back and finish 1 minute ahead. Third place Timo Bracht would finish nearly 25’ behind the winner.
Results ;
Wendy Ingraham might’ve said it best : “The race was very hard. I think it is the most challenging Ironman I’ve raced and all finishers are almost double-Ironmen”. Yes it was hard. I heard some say that it was too hard... the same would add “but I’ll be back next year”... ... I know I will !!! Chris Photo Gallery Swim Start Series
Other pictures
Thinking of Racing in the 2002 Great Floridian? Click here: Great Floridian
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