In the fastest time ever at a Long Distance – even though the PTO announced after a month that it would not recognize the time – Kristian Blummenfelt won Ironman Cozumel last year: he crossed the line after 7:21:12. The time was not recognized because athletes in Cozumel swim 3.8 kilometers with the current from behind, but even with that advantage in mind, Blummenfelt’s time was more than impressive. Can we prepare for another record race tomorrow?
It’s possible for sure, because like last year there will be very strong athletes at the start tomorrow – Sunday, Nov. 20. Biggest favorite is Magnus Ditlev: the Dane has definitely joined the select group of absolute world-class athletes this year and will use the race not only to try to secure an immediate slot for Kona, but also to achieve a finish time to dream of. The same surely applies to Pieter Heemeryck, Rodolphe von Berg and Tyler Butterfield; they are racing start numbers 2 through 4 and are certainly men to be reckoned with.
Furthermore, Michael Weiss, Andy Potts, Pamphiel Pareyn, Dominik Sowieja and Igor Amorelli are within the top ten if you look at the bib numbers.
Among the women, the biggest favorites seem to be two Swedish ladies: Lisa Norden and Sara Svensk. Also at the start are Gurutze Frades, Svenja Thoes, Joanna Ryter and Margie Santimaria, among others.
