Storm in Ireland (05.09.2011)
There were no conditions for summer sport activities as Rachel Joyce became 2nd and Swen Sundberg 6th at Ironman 70.3 Ireland.
The first edition of the race in Galway faced some problems. Not just only the weather brought some changes also the public authority gave the organizers some things to solve. On race day the swim leg was just 750 because of the weather. The run course had the full length but it was changed. These were tough circumstances also for Rachel and Swen.
The pros were the first ones who had to enter the 14 degrees cold sea. Rachel as well as Swen were not that happy with the choppy ocean. The cold temperatures and the rain let Rachel freeze the whole way till the finish line. Though she could finish 2nd behind her countrywoman Lucy Gossage and in front of the American Charisa Wernick.
Swen felt well on the bike and he brought some pressure on his pedals. But still he could not close the gap to the group in front of him. With a solid run where he had some orientation problems he crossed the finish line on the 6th position. The first 3 male athletes were Mike Arigoz (CH), Pavel Sinko (SK) and Owen Cummis (IRL):
