Double Swiss win at Ironman Switzerland

There are all sorts of sayings about Swiss things that have to do with reliability, dependability and bankability - and pretty much all of them can be applied to today's Ironman Switzerland, powered by ewz.

Well, apart from the weather that is! The race, on the male side at least, has been dominated by European athletes over the years and this year was no exception with 2007 winner, Ronnie Schildknecht, getting into his rythm on the bike and quietly motoring into an unassailable lead by the start of the run. Had his main rival, and runner-up for the past two years, Mathias Hecht, not called it a day on the bike suffering from the cold then the results might have been slightly altered, but with the 2006 winner, Stefan Riesen, in the chase as well it would have still guaranteed a Swiss win. Read the story »

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Ironman Switzerland Preview

It's a tough one to call at this coming weekend's Ironman Switzerland, but one thing is completely certain: there will be new course records set. How can I be so sure? Well, they changed the bike course from three 60k loops to two 90k ones so any times are going to be set on a new configuration of the event. And, as we saw last weekend in Frankfurt, just a couple of kilometres variation is all it takes to mean the difference between a new world record and another (but awfully close) next fastest. Read the story »

International Field Fills Up Ironman Switzerland

Race organizers at Ironman Switzerland are happy to report that the race has filled up in record time. It took just three months for 2,222 athletes to register for the popular race in Zurich. Read the story »

Registration is open: Ironman Switzerland

Registration has opened for Ironman Switzerlandn Powered by EWZ in Zurich next year. Read the story »

Repeat for Rebecca

It is difficult to win an Ironman once, even more so to do it as a back-to-back champion. But that is exactly what Rebecca Preston did at Ironman Switzerland this year. That being said, perhaps Preston should be spelled P.R.E.S.S.U.R.E as she kept it on during the entire race and did so with grace. Read the story »

Schildknecht Wraps up an Ironman Win

Okay, say these words fast three times - Ronnie Schildknecht, Ronnie Schildknecht, Ronnie Schildknecht, got that? If you aren't from Switzerland that may be a tongue twister, but the triathlon world needs to learn this name and say it well. After winning this year's Ironman Switzerland, Ronnie Schildknecht walked around the athlete village casually smiling and chatting with everyone else who was hobbling around. He switched languages and laughed nearly as easily as he switched gears on his bike ride during the race. Schildknecht seemed more like he'd just had a good day at the beach rather than winning a challenging Ironman race less than an hour before. Ironman has an emerging champion who is one to watch in Hawaii this year. Read the story »

Exciting Races at the Ironman Switzerland 2007

Ironman Switzerland, powered by ewz, was enjoyed by 120,000 spectators yesterday, and the huge crowd enjoyed a race full of many exciting duels. Among the men, Ronnie Schildknecht - the winner of the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland - had a breathtaking come-from-behind victory, passing Mathias Hecht (SUI) during the second lap of the run. Last year's winner, Stefan Riesen, had to drop out of the race on the third loop of the bike due to health problems. Read the story »

Preparing for Ironman Switzerland

Racing an Ironman is a life changing experience for many athletes. However, a safe and fun day is the result of many months planning and training. LifeSport Coaching offers advice and tips for anyone racing in Zurich. Read the story »

Laurent Jalabert competes at Ironman Switzerland

Ironman Switzerland, powered by ewz, will feature an impressive debut this year. On June 24, 2007, former bike star Laurent Jalabert will compete in his first Ironman race. Read the story »

About the Race

Qualifier for Ford Ironman World Championship Only in the beautiful city of Zurich could you put on a race that does it all: an event that brings triathlon to a major city so media and fans can support it in style, while somehow offering up a course that is nothing short of spectacular.

The swim takes place in the beautiful "Zurichsee." During the Ironman week, the athletes share this spectacular lake with rowers, windsurfers and sailors ... enjoying the 21 degree Celsius (about 72 degrees Fahrenheit) water that seems to almost always be calm.

The four-loop run course, which follows the lake, is also quite flat and fast.

The bike ... well, that's not flat, but it somehow manages to remain fast! The three loop course includes has a total of more than 1,440 meters (5,000 feet) of climbing thanks to three challenging climbs with names like the "Beast" and "Heartbreak." All that is mixed in with some long flat and fast sections of cycling along the lake, making this a bike course that requires it's winners to be truly "all-rounders" - able to power through the flats and fly through the climbs.

Available Now from IronmanDVD

2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 DVD
Relive the November 10, 2007 race with this DVD. Watch as Andy Potts, a highly decorated athlete with short-course success, sprinted to a first place 3:42:33 finish, while Australia�s Mirinda Carfrae broke the course record and claimed victory finishing at 4:07:25. In addition to the competitive professional field, more than 1,400 other triathletes ranging from 19 to 82 years old crossed the finish line, including Mark Rothbaum, manager of country music legend Willie Nelson, and Stacey Junio, who celebrated her recent weight loss in preparation for the event. $34.95 Available now.