Hamburg wants to once again live up to its reputation as one of the top addresses on the international triathlon calendar this weekend. The organizers are hoping for a total of 300,000 spectators.
When Laura Lindemann talks about the triathlon in the Hanseatic city, she does so with a smile. “Hamburg always gives me good memories – I usually had a good run here,” said the newly crowned German champion about the sprint distance at the press conference on Thursday. To say “good memories” is an understatement given her performance last year.
It was just great for the woman from Potsdam, who won the women’s race on the first day of the elite competition thanks to a strong final sprint and one day later also won with the mixed team.
Huge anticipation of great scenery
A repeat of that would be a dream come true. And then it could get even more emotional. After all, this year – unlike 2021 – there are no longer any viewer restrictions. “It’s really nice to compete in the triathlon in Hamburg – and then again with an audience. It’s just fun here when people stand on the sidelines and cheer for the athletes. It’s really unique, especially the backdrop at the Rathausmarkt.”
Time schedule
Saturday:
– Triathlon in Hamburg, professionals and everyone
sprint distance
1.35pm – 2.25pm Elite Ladies (1.30pm – 2.30pm live on the first)
3.35 p.m. – 4.35 p.m. Elite Men (3.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. live on Sportschau.de)
Sunday:
6.30 a.m. Start Olympic distance
3 p.m. – 4.20 p.m. Elite Mixed Team Relay (live on Sportschau.de 3 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.)
The organizers of the race of the World Championship series want to tie in with old times. After the restrictions in the two previous years due to the corona pandemic, Oliver Schiek, Managing Director of Ironman Germany GmbH, is looking forward to many visitors along the route in the city center at the 20th anniversary of the race. “We also hope for 300,000 spectators, like we had here in 2019,” said Schiek.
Next year again for the world title
There are enough highlights too. On Saturday, the elite will fight for the podium places at the fourth station of the World Championship series over the sprint distance (0.5 km swimming, 20 km cycling, 5 km running) for women and men, the following day the mixed relay over the Olympic distance ( 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run). And around 9,000 athletes are registered for the amateur competitions.
With the swimming course in the Binnenalster, the cycling and running course, which largely leads through the city, and the finish on the Rathausmarkt, the perfect setting for athletes and spectators should again be offered. “There is no event that stages the city center as a sports arena in a comparable way,” enthused Hamburg’s Interior and Sports Senator Andy Grote.
“The triathlon stands out a bit in a very exciting summer of sport.”
— Andy Grote, Interior and Sports Senator in Hamburg
This should certainly apply to 2023 when, among other things, the world championship title in the mixed relay competition (July 13th to 16th) will be awarded in the Elbe metropolis. “We at the German Triathlon Union (DTU) are incredibly proud that we got this World Cup here,” said DTU President Martin Engelhardt.
Lindemann relies on her skills in the final sprint
Lindemann already has this race in the back of his mind. Of course, your full concentration is on this weekend. “I’m hoping for a good race, a medal would be nice,” said the German hope, who doesn’t want to wait long: “Even when swimming, it’s about getting away quickly. The fewer people around you at the first buoy, the better better. And finally I know that I can trust my final sprint.”
Just like last year, when she was able to smile well before the finish line because she had distanced her competitors.
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Hamburg Journal | 07.07.2022 | 19:30 o’clock
