The last big races of the 2023 season will take place this weekend before the triathlon circus goes into the winter break. After the CHALLENGE series had already said goodbye last weekend in Forianopolis, Brazil, the final decisions of IRONMAN events in Florida, USA and Taupo, New Zealand are now pending.
IM New Zealand: the last fixed World Cup slots and farewell to Mike Reilly
Both race formats - the full IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 - will take place in New Zealand on Saturday, December 10th. The reason for this is the corona-related postponement of the long distance from March to the middle distance race date this weekend. For the men there are the last "fixed" slots for the IRONMAN World Championship 2023. After the announcement of the division of the World Championship from 2023, only the women's race will take place as usual in October 2023 in Hawaii. For the men's IRONMAN World Championship, however, an alternative venue is being sought, which is to be announced in January. As a result, the qualifying slots for all other races were initially frozen until the World Cup location and date were set, in order to then redefine the allocation of slots for all qualifying races. Since Nice, France is currently the favorite for the Men's World Championships, it is to be expected that the successful participants will be very reluctant to accept the slot they have won. Here one or the other successor may calculate legitimate chances if he wants to drive or fly to the World Cup.
The qualification conditions for women, on the other hand, remain unchanged.
The race in New Zealand will also be the farewell to announcer legend Mike Reilly - "the official voice of Ironman". With his unmistakable voice he coined the words "YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" and greeted thousands of athletes at the finish line.
Photo: Ironman
The races at a glance
Saturday 10 December: IRONMAN & IRONMAN 70.3 New Zealand
Sunday, December 11: IRONMAN 70.3 Florida
Gift ideas for triathletes
