IRONSTAR 226: course record, Olympians on the course and plans for next season

On September 22, Sochi once again hosted the IRONSTAR international triathlon competition. For the eighth time the Imeretinsky resort hosted triathletes and for the third time – participants of the legendary “iron” triathlon (3.86 km swimming + 180 km cycling + 42.195 km running).

On the same day the start was given on the short – Olympic distance, which is the most popular among triathletes (1.5 km swimming, 40 km cycling, 10 km running).

Best of the best: course record at the IRONMAN distance

The winner of the Ironman was Sergey Zelenov, who set a course record of 9 hours 21 minutes 56 seconds.

Sergey Zelenov: “I am happy to return to triathlon after a long break. I lost 25 kilograms in 6 months, I went to the goal gradually and, to be honest, I didn’t hope to win – I started with very strong guys. But, apparently, today I was lucky, I was lucky. The race was very hard, but I tried and did my best. I will move on!”

For the women, the best result was shown by Yulia Polevaya – 11:15.54.

Yulia Polevaya: “It wasn’t easy, but my preparation allowed me to complete the distance at the peak of my form, despite the fact that I am a mom. I can confidently recommend triathlon to girls – this sport keeps you toned and makes your body beautiful.

At the Olympic distance, the fight was for seconds. The Olympic winner Ilya Slepov was only 5 seconds ahead of his nearest pursuer Anton Chuchko. Ilya’s result was 02:05.09.
There was a very small gap in the women’s top three. Maria Molyarova took gold (02:17.00).

At the start

In total, almost 1500 people from 12 countries – Russia, the CIS en neighboring countries, as well as Germany, the Czech Republic and even Australia – came to the start of the two distances of IRONSTAR OLYMPIC & 226 SOCHI 2018. Among them was one of the most experienced “Ironman” athletes in Europe and the strongest triathlete of the Czech Republic Petr Vabroušek, for whom Sochi was the 192nd start on the “iron” distance. Petr took the first place in his age category (45-49 years old), having covered the distance in 9 hours 45 minutes and 41 seconds.

A record number of relay teams – more than 100 – took part in IRONSTAR competitions this time! Among them was the team of Alyona Zavarzina, the 2014 Olympic bronze medalist in snowboarding. Alyona performed a cycling stage in the relay and after the finish said that she would like to try herself in triathlon as an individual participant.

Alyona Zavarzina: “Someday I will complete a full distance in triathlon. One cycling race was not enough for me, I wanted more. I had time to look around, I was standing at the finish line. I’ll start preparing slowly and I’ll complete the entire Olympic distance, and then maybe even half of it (the “half-iron” distance – 1.93 km swimming, 90 km cycling, 21.1 km running.–IRONSTAR note).”

A good deed

It was not only triathletes who had a busy program on the last weekend of September in Sochi. On the eve of the triathlon competitions there were races for girls and children.

As part of the cooperation between IRONSTAR and the Love Syndrome Foundation, they collected funds from the STARKIDS children’s races for swimming groups for children with Down syndrome in the regions. Over the entire 2018 season, they managed to raise more than 1,200,000 rubles. Part of these funds were collected by the “Athletes for Good” team of IRONSTAR employees led by Andrey Kavun.

Plans for the next season: opening Kaliningrad

Andrei Kavun, IRONSTAR General Director: “The triathlon season in Russia ended with a race in Sochi. A new season and new starts are ahead. On August 15-18, 2019 IRONSTAR team opens a window to Europe and lights a new star – a Baltic star! We will hold a new sea start in the heart of Northern Europe – in Kaliningrad. Registration is already open! See you soon!”.

Leaderboard results are available at the link.

All results can be found on the website.