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| 10.07.2011 - Schildknecht und Thürig win in Zurich |
Local hero Ronnie Schildknecht did it again! He won his fifth Ironman Zurich Switzerland title in a row. Second became Clemente Alonso-Mckernan from Spain and third another well-known Swiss man Mathias Hecht. The women´s race was won by the famous Swiss cyclist Karin Thürig. The second place went to Amy Marsh from the USA and Erika Csomor from Hungary became third.
After a good swim performance Ronnie Schildknecht steadily gained ground on the bike course on the leader Mathias Hecht. Shortly after the second transition, Schildknecht managed to take the lead and win the race. With his fifth title Ronnie Schildknecht tied Olivier Bernhard´s record at the Ironman Zurich Switzerland.
Schildknecht: ´It sounds great, winning five times in a row, but what really counts for me is the victory in my home city in Switzerland. I am really satisfied with my performance today. My next goal is now the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii next October.´
After a dauntless bike ride Mathias Hecht fell slightly back on the run course and finished in the third place, as was outrun by the Spanish Clemente Alonso-Mckernan, who showed a stunning performance on the run course. This was Mathias Hecht third podium place this year after winning the Ironman Utah and his third place at the Ironman in New Zealand.
Hecht: ´I am satisfied with my performance today considering the packed schedule I had within the last month. Towards the end, I struggled a lot. Congratulation to Ronnie, he earns it!´
In the women´s race 39 year old Karin Thürig repeated her last year´s victory and won clearly within 9:03:26. After the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October Karin Thürig will retire from her triathlon career.
After 2005 and 2010 Karin Thürig set the foundation for her victory with a fabulous bike split of 4:51:18 leaving her competitors Amy Marsh and Erika Csomor behind. Thürig: ´I am very happy about my victory today. This is just perfect considering the fact that this is my last race in Zurich. Now I am looking forward to my last big race in Hawaii.´
Race director Patrick Schmid was content with today´s outcome of 15th Ironman Zurich Switzerland: ´100,000 spectators followed an exciting race alng the various courses and supported the athletes on their journey to the finish line. Many thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, spectators and authorities.
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