Ironman Sweden

Paul Hough · August 19, 2011 7:23AM

Put this on your future radar! Rumor on Slowtwitch is that this race is a go for 2013. Apparently, it is a very fast course as well.

Kalmar aiming at hosting Ironman

Date added: 7/12/2011

“Being able to host the only Ironman competition in Scandinavia is a conscious initiative which will definitely bring Kalmar into the sport tourism spotlight and will have huge benefits for both the town and the region, so today is a big day for us,” says Johan Persson, the Mayor of Kalmar.

Discussions about holding an international Ironman competition in Kalmar have been going on for some time between the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), Kalmar municipality and the Region Council of Kalmar County. The negotiations are continuing but a declaration of intent has today been signed on location in Klagenfurt, Austria, where an Ironman competition is being decided right now.

Kalmar Triathlon already holds a triathlon competition over an ironman distance in Kalmar and this will be upgraded to become a fully fledged Ironman event.

“Upgrading Kalmar Triathlon to Ironman Kalmar will boost the tourism economy and have a knock-on PR and social effect for the rest of the county as well”, says the Chairman of the Regional Council, Harald Hjalmarsson.

Kalmar Triathlon currently attracts 700 participants and around 15000 spectators. It is estimated that an Ironman competition could double these figures even in the first year.

The negotiations with the WTC are expected to be concluded in the summer.

GMAN 19030 · August 19, 2011 7:38AM

I may come out of IM retirement for that one. Dependent on the date.

Barbara Spitler · August 19, 2011 12:26PM

Very cool!!

[Deleted User] · August 23, 2011 8:53AM

Do Challenge Copenhagen instead. Seriously.

Dave Tallo · August 23, 2011 9:56AM

at least there would be no need to pack allen keys in my bike bag

Paul Hough · August 23, 2011 2:28PM

@ Dave - why do you say that? BTW, I check/tighten all bolts the day before...have never carried a set of allen keys with me in a race...knock on wood!

Dave Tallo · August 23, 2011 3:32PM

sweden = home of ikea; Ikea=home of allen-key based furniture

Paul Hough · August 23, 2011 4:19PM

@ Dave - I'm was too serious to have caught that!

Cary Blanco · August 23, 2011 11:04PM

Too bad it's not up further north in Sweden - at that time of year I could almost guarantee finishing in daylight

Looks like a fun race.

Bomber · August 24, 2011 3:03PM

Kalmar is a very fast course! I haven't done it myself, but it has been on my radar for years...only problem is that it is usually the last week of July (clashed with other races)

Challenge Copenhagen just opened up for registration for the 2012 event (12 August)... I took some 500 pics at the event last week...if anyone is interested, they can be found here:
http://boengel1.smugmug.com/Sport/Challenge-Copenhagen-2011/18527438_NxQNmC

GMAN 19030 · December 13, 2011 7:24AM

Ironman Sweden (Kalmar) is now official for August 18, 2012: http://ironmankalmar.com/

Paul Hough · December 13, 2011 7:47AM

Will have to work that into my long range schedule!!

Bomber · December 13, 2011 10:10AM

I'll probably do it....6 weeks after Roth

Paul Hough · December 13, 2011 11:45AM

That's a tight turn Bo! The earliest possible year for me is 2015. Could make a travel 2-fer by doing IM Sweden, then spending a couple of nights in Copenhagen on the back side. I've seen the sights at Copenhagen and did Tivoli amusement park but the frau did not make that trip and is strongly behind this IM. Lots of travel and racing between now and then though.

Matt Samojeden · December 13, 2011 4:39PM

Thanks for putting this on my radar screen!!! I know do a Volvo Euro delivery option on a new XC90 and do an IM. A plan :-)

Bomber · December 20, 2011 7:34AM

just signed up for 2012...

Paul Hough · April 13, 2012 10:14AM

Calling Bo - Any idea what the projected water temperature will be for IM Sweden? The course maps look awesome and I bet this one won't be overcrowded. My short list for 2013 is IM St George, IM Switzerland or IM Sweden.

Bomber · April 13, 2012 12:17PM

@Paul: I know that in 2010 (before it was an official IM), the water temperature was around 16 Celcius (approx 60 F)... This year, our winter has been quite mild, so I would guess, probably around 18-19 C (64-66 F)... So expect the water to be on the cold side, but probably ok, whereas for IMSW, you should probably expect the opposite... (occationally non-wetsuit swim)

The last couple of years Kalmar has attracted 700-800 participants... being IM branded, it will probably be twice that or more...

Paul Hough · April 13, 2012 4:49PM

Thanks Bo...64-66 F would be cold but fine. 60 F would be really cold. I have done 2 IMs at 61F so I know what that's like. I've done some more research and tossed Switzerland in favor of Austria. Too early to tell which of the 3 I'll select...but will probably have to decide by Austria since that sells out so quickly. I think Sweden will be lucky to get 1500 finishers and I believe that's a positive thing.

Ironman Sweden

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