Half Ironman U.K. Triathlon 8-31-2003
Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon 9-07-2003
Ironman Florida Triathlon 11-08-2003
Ironman Langkawi Malaysia Triathlon 2-29-2004
Ironman New Zealand Triathlon 3-06-2003
Half Ironman South Africa Triathlon 3-21-2004
Ralphs California Half Ironman Triathlon 4-03-2004
Ironman Australia Triathlon 4-04-2004
St. Croix Half Ironman Triathlon 5-02-2004
Lanzarote Canaries Ironman Triathlon 5-22-2004
Ironman Japan Triathlon 5-23-2004
Florida Half Ironman Triathlon 5-23-2004
Ironman Brazil Triathlon 5-29-2004
Blackwater Eagleman Triathlon 6-13-2004
Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon 6-20-2004
Ironman France Triathlon 6-26-2004
Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene Triathlon 6-27-2004
Ironman Austria Triathlon 7-04-2004
Opel Ironman Germany Triathlon 7-11-2004
Ironman Switzerland Triathlon 7-25-2004
Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon 7-25-2004
Half Vineman Triathlon 8-01-2004
Half Ironman U.K. Triathlon 8-22-2004
Ironman Canada Triathlon 8-29-2004
Ironman Korea Triathlon 8-29-2004

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Want to race an Ironman? Get a passport!

November 10, 2003, Clermont, Florida

If you thought an Ironman was in your near future—like any time in 2004—you'll have to go to another continent if you haven't already entered. Less than 24 hours after on-line registration was opened for Ironman Florida (staged just two days ago) the race filled.

With the closing of Ironman Florida, all five full-distanced Ironman North America events for 2004 are closed to general entry.

If it's just qualifying for Kona that you're after, Kona spots are also available at the Ralph's California Half Ironman and the Florida Half-Ironman at Walt Disney World Resort. To register, log onto www.ironmancalifornia.com or www.floridahalfironman.com respectively.

Other North American events qualifying for Kona in 2003 included half-Ironman events in St. Croix, the Blackwater Eagleman, Half-Vineman and the Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon. World Triathlon Corporation has not yet announced its list of qualifier races for Kona in 2004.

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What do Kona course changes portend?

August 1, 2003, Tarpon Springs, Florida

The Hawaiian Ironman course has changed several times throughout its history. The most dramatic changed since moving from Oahu in 1981 occured two years ago, when the bike-to-run transition area was moved from the now-closed Kona Surf Hotel to the old airport.

Now, finally, the event's organizers have what they've long wanted, a single transition area. Achieving this required a slight change in the swim course, in which the swimmers exit onto the King Kamehameha Hotel's beach adjacent to the boat ramp used in all previous Kona swim finishes.

Contestants then run through the hotel's back property and into the back parking lot, where the new, single, transition area will sit. This is the same area in which the pre-race carbo party and post-race awards ceremony take place, and it's the first time the pier hasn't been used as a transition area.

Otherwise, the course will remain unchanged.

The immediate benefit to the athletes and spectators is obvious. Athletes will not need to separately stage, and then retrieve, gear from two remote transition areas. Spectators will benefit from having more pier access, and won't have to hike out to the old airport to see riders coming in off the bike.

There is also a very real benefit to WTC. The pier had reached its capacity to hold bikes. Last year the pier accommodated about 1550 bikes — about a hundred more than most previous years — and it's hard to conceive of it holding any more. The sky is the limit in the new transition area.

What is the limit? How many more competitors would WTC like to see in the race? Our sources inside WTC estimate an eventual starting field of 1800 (this year's total will probably top last year's, but not by very much).

This seems a reasonable number. Races of 1800 - 2000 people are currently contested in the U.S. on roads open to traffic, over the half-Ironman distance, with fewer marshalls, and without much protest. Over Kona's closed roads, and with the recently included, and significant, hill over the first two miles of the bike course, 1800 bikes would not pose a problem — assuming USAT's best marshalls were patrolling the course in significant numbers.

With the plethora of WTC-licensed events around the world, there is a pent-up demand for slots. With the increase in quality and competitiveness there is an obvious difficulty in qualifying, as any pro or age group long-courser can testify. This is only going to be further tested in the pro field after the 2004 Olympics, as many top short-coursers have declared themselves for the Ironman distance post-Athens.

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Ironman makes it to prime time

May 27, 2003, Tarpon Springs, Florida

After years of earning its way and waiting its turn, the Ironman telecast has finally been bumped to prime time. The 25th anniversary telecast of the Hawaiian Ironman in Kona will air on December 6th, 2003, from 8PM - 9PM Eastern time. Teaser shows will air earlier in day, between 5PM and 6PM. The show will air in the same time 8PM - 9PM time slot across the country.

The telecast normally airs in the early afternoon hours, and while it has not been granted prime time space the telecast, produced by World Triathlon Corporation, is a perennial Emmy Award nominee and a nine-time winner over the past dozen years (including the coveted "best-edited sports special").

The move to prime time does have one downside—the telecast will have to be shaved to 60 minutes from its usual 90 minutes. An expanded, two-hour version will also be repackaged, however, and is expected to air in subsequent telecasts around the world.

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WTC matures as a brand builder

May 27, 2003, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Throughout most of its existence the various owners of the Ironman Triathlon trademark, most notably the World Triathlon Corporation since 1989, have sold the rights to use the name "Ironman" and "Ironman Triathlon." They have not, however, done that much during the 1990s to build the brand save producing a top notch race in Kona and an Emmy-caliber telecast of that race.

In this decade the WTC has quietly built a better brand.

First, in the negotiations for the current contract with Marvel Comics the WTC negotiated the rights to sell licenses for "Ironman" without the word "triathlon" attached.

More recently, WTC secured from NBC a prime time slot for the December telecast of the coverage of its 2003 Kona event (see related story).

Finally, in what might be its boldest move, WTC has fronted the money for a series of advertisements devoted solely to building the brand. A series of seven ads in USA Today—capped by an 8-page insert on the June 13th edition—tell the story of Ironman's 25 years. The ads feature special moments throughout the Ironman's history, from the "Julie Moss crawl" to the Hoyts (the next ad to run, pictured here).

During the 1980s and 1990s "Ironman" was considered by many of its licensees to be a robust brand, but one which you as the licensee must improve and develop on your own. For that reason much of the brand improvement was fulfilled by Timex, whose wildly successful Ironman sports watch series helped develop and mature Ironman into a successful brand property.

The ads, the prime time telecast, and shrewd negotiating has now allowed WTC to become a first class brand manager. This follows its own development of the Ironman race series into a 17-event worldwide phenomenon, and it all coincides with the serendipitous run-up in triathlon participation. "Prior to our efforts this year we felt the best thing we could do for the brand," said WTC spokesperson Priscilla Fraiegari, "was increase the opportunity to race in an Ironman around the World—and especially in North American."

While WTC drove the train for this latest promotion, the following participating licensees are also making a financial investment: Timex, FosterGrant, Active Release Techniques, Degree, Michelin, Keys Fitness, The Sports Authority, Wigwam Mills, JointFlex Ironman, Road Runner Sports, Active.com, Fig Newtons, Cannondale, Ironman Wetsuits, Ironman Sportbags and Accessories, Meyer & Meyer Sport, Janus, Ironman Sunscreens and Hawaii Tourism Authority.

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Welchy expands role with WTC

February 12, 2003, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Affable Aussie and former Ironman Kona champ Greg Welch will expand his role with World Triathlon Corporation. In addition to appearing around the world as the cybercast personality at Ironman-licensed events for Ironmanlive.com, Welch will become technical adviser, both in Kona and at many of the licensed races worldwide.

Welch's role will be to help in the "standardization," according to WTC's spokesperson Priscilla Fraiegari, of certain technical aspects of the events. "Sometimes we get asked," said Fraiegar, "why aren't the aid stations at the same intervals in France as they are in Kona. That will be the sort of thing Greg will help us convey to our licensees."

Welchy is also expected to led a hand in Kona, specifically in how the pro side of the event is handled. "We actually signed him last September," said WTC president Lew Friedland, "and his experience at having done 400 races in his career is something we intend to rely on heavily."

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Tom Cooney new Kona Event Manager

February 12, 2003, Tarpon Springs, Florida

World Triathlon Corporation announced yesterday that Tom Cooney would be heading race operations for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Cooney replaces longtime race director Sharron Ackles.

Cooney is on the A-list of event managers in the U.S., both as a director of running and multisport events. He has more than 30 years experience in the sports and event industry, most recently having served as the race director for the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge (Chicago) since 1989. Today, the event hosts more than 18,000 athletes.

“I am honored and excited to be named the event manager of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship,” said Cooney. “I am looking forward to working with the World Triathlon Corporation, the local race directors and the Kailua-Kona community in building on their efforts over the past 24 years and continuing the tradition of the Hawaii Ironman.”

Cooney has been involved with the Chicago Triathlon since its beginning in 1984 and served as race director from 1985-1989. Today, the event is the world’s largest triathlon. He also served as the race director for the America’s Paradise Triathlon in St. Croix from 1989 to 1992 and the Powerman Duathlon in Zofingen, Switzerland from 1990 to 1994. Over the years, many high-profile events have utilized Cooney’s expertise including the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, Chicago Triathlon, Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon, Ironman Florida Triathlon and the Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon to name a few.

More recently, Cooney was appointed the technical advisor for the USA Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials, which will be held in Birmingham, Alabama in February 2004. Cooney coached varsity track and field for eight years and has been honored as Professor Emeritus at Loyola University.

Working closely with Cooney will be Ironman North America’s Graham Fraser and 1994 Ironman champion Greg Welch, who is WTC’s newly appointed technical advisor. Rounding out the event team will be a full-time Kona-based event director who will be announced in the next few weeks.

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WTC temporarily closes Kona office

December 9, 2002, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Those calling the "808" number for the Ironman office in Kona would be surprised to find it being answered six-thousand miles away, in WTC's Tarpon Springs, Florida main office. The answer is simple. There is no more Kona office.

That is temporary, according to WTC spokesperson Priscilla Fraiegari. "We released Sharron Ackles, and that left two people in the office. The second had already given us notice months ago, prior to the race in Kona. The third was given an opportunity to stay in Kona on paid furlow, pending a reopening of a new office, or to come to Tarpon Springs and work here until the office reopened. She declined both offers and will leave us.

"We couldn't see the wisdom of retaining and office for one person, especially in the slow time of our year over there," continued Fraiegari, "and certainly not now considering there is no one to man it at all."

The office will reopen in or around February with a new staff, according to Fraiegari.

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Sharron Ackles out as Kona RD

December 5, 2002, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Sharron Ackles, the race director of the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon since 1992, has, "been released from her race director's duties,” according Priscilla Fraiegari of World Triathlon Corporation, the owner of the Ironman Triathlon.

Ackles started with the race as volunteer in 1983, and grew into the capacity of volunteer coordinator before taking over the event's top executive spot. Indeed, it was her ability to attract and retain a top executive and volunteer staff that has been considered one of her strengths.

WTC has not started its search for a replacement. "If we started recruiting prior to talking to her,” said Fraiegari, "it would be disrespectful."

World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is taking this step because it wants to, "move the company in a new direction," according to a WTC press release, and several of those close to the event take that to mean that the WTC wants to upgrade the look and feel of the Kona race. All agree that the event is well-run, but it appears that WTC wants to hike the Ironman to the level of a major marathon.

"Our board of directors is reassessing the way WTC functions as a whole," said WTC president Lew Friedland. "We feel the race has reached a plateau and felt it was time for a fresh perspective. Sharron has done a good job of nurturing the event and its athletes, but we feel a change is necessary in order to keep Ironman Triathlon World Championship the sport's preeminent event here in Kona."

Fraiegari echoed comments by WTC's Friedland, in saying that, "This is not the only change we're making. We've got other announcements to make. The Gills family (WTC's owners) is taking a more active role in the race, and there is a variety of changes and improvements to be made on a number of fronts. I think you saw one aspect of that in our prize money increase this year."

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JulieAnne White's got a secret admirer—Peter Reid

November 4, 2002, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

At least it was a secret over the past several months, but not any longer. A new entry on Peter Reid's website alludes to a friendship and professional relationship that's bloomed over the past several months. Reid's webmaster Shawn Skene wrote this about JulieAnne, our "Resident Coach" on the Slowtwitch site.

"Over the summer Peter was consulting with JulieAnne White about his nutrition and training. Those around long enough will remember JulieAnne as an awesome Ironman athlete in the late 80's/early 90's. A list of her accomplishments... three Ironman wins (around the time when there where only 5 Ironman races per year), winner of the Ironman World Series (92), bike course record holder in Ironman Canada... are just a few. Visit her website here.

"Peter would like to thank JulieAnne for all the advice she has given him the past summer. Under her guidance he was able to get back on the podium in Kona.

"Thanks JulieAnne —Peter"

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Badmann, DeBoom repeat in Kona

October 20, 2002, Kona, Hawaii

Natascha Badmann scythed through the field on her Cat Cheetah while Tim DeBoom executed a smart, tactical race that was won on the run as both successfully defended their Hawaii Ironman titles in Kona on Saturday.

It was the first time a male athlete has repeated since 1993, when Mark Allen won his fifth in a row, and the first time for a woman to take three titles in a row--a feat last accomplished by Paula Newby-Fraser when she notched her fourth in a row in 1994.

It was a day marked by wild variations in weather--from rain to start the day to sunny, clear skies and limited wind on the bike and steamy conditions on the run.

On a day when many expected new stars to emerge on the Ironman scene as Switzerland's Karen Thurig and Australia's Chris McCormack made their Kona debuts, with one exception--Germany's Alexander Taubert--the athletes in the top five were all repeat visitors to the top echelon of Kona racing. And several of them have climbed those top steps several times.

The men's race was ferocious at the front as soon as the top men exited the water, with Germans Thomas Hellriegel, Jurgen Zack and Normann Stadler setting a blistering pace on the bike. They had company: Aussie Chris McCormack was willing to keep pace with them. The lead was traded at several points, with Stadler eventually dropping back in the waning miles on the way back to town.

DeBoom, Canada's Peter Reid, New Zealand's Cameron Brown and others were in another group a few minutes back. Individually, they'd decided they couldn't hold the pace and were counting on the race coming back to them on the run.

"I was concerned with everyone up there," DeBoom said in the post-race news conference. "To give them nine minutes was not in my plan at all. I didn't want to, I just couldn't ride that fast."

Said Cameron Brown, who finished third: "It was just too quick." He reasoned that he could bridge the gap on the run, and that the race would be won and lost there. He was right.

Said Peter Reid, who finished second and succeeded in laying to rest the doubts that have dogged him for the last 18 months and included a DNF in Hawaii last year: "When they went by, I thought I was going to ride with them. When we got to Hawi, all of them were grimacing. It was a gamble that worked out. We let those guys go and it worked out."

And about that second place--Reid said it was icing on the cake. "Finishing second was the bonus," he said. "Finishing was it. Once you start dropping out of races, it becomes easier and easier." Reid said he was proud of himself for simply proving to himself that he could finish what he'd started.

McCormack's Ironman debut was a hotly anticipated one, but it turned to dust less than halfway through the marathon. At the bottom of the steep climb that is Palani Drive, McCormack, who'd already fallen to third, was caught and passed by DeBoom, who was on his way to catching bike leaders Hellriegel and Francois Chabaud of France. Midway through the hill McCormack's run had turned to a walk, and it wasn't long before reports came in that he'd dropped out. Zack, too, dropped out after the bike, while Great Britain's Spencer Smith was disqualified after receiving two penalties on the bike. Stadler faded badly on the run, finishing in 10:01:09.

There was also a lot of interest in the Ironman debut of pro cyclist and former junior triathlete Chann McRae of the U.S. McRae, who rode for U.S. Postal this year, turned in a 55:23 swim, 4:40:59 bike split and 3:54:28 marathon to post a 9:34:48, good for 16th in the 30-34 age group.

DeBoom's marathon, the fastest of the day in 2:50:22, gave him the lead, but Reid did come within a minute or two in the waning miles of the run. Brown, always a strong runner, again used a speedy finish to make the top three--last year, his run powered him to second place after Reid dropped out. Interestingly, the finish order from this year--DeBoom, Reid, Brown, and Hellriegel--is the same as last year, with Reid elbowing his way back among the elite to push Brown and Hellriegel down a place in the standings.

Last year's fifth-place finisher, Germany's Lothar Leder, could not hold pace with the leaders on the bike but gutted out a 3:07 marathon and finished in 9:11:12, good for 31st among the pros.

Rounding out the top ten were Taubert, Chabaud, Germany's Markus Forster, Finland's Mika Luoto, American Cam Widoff and Germany's Olaf Sabatschus. At mile 25 on the marathon, Luoto, Widoff and Sabatschus were within seconds of each other as they made the turn down Palani Road. Sabatschus dropped the hammer and surged away from the others, but apparently went too soon as Widoff and Luoto both came back to him before the finish.

On the women's side, the race was really decided on the bike as Badmann roared through the field, making up the ground she'd lost in her 59:40 swim and then gapping, by a large margin, all of her challengers. Her 4:52:26 bike split was the day's fastest; only countrywoman Thurig was able to dip under five hours but her swim (1:13) assured that she wouldn't see the leaders on the bike. She finished eighth after a 3:29 marathon.

The early lead on the bike went to American Joanna Zeiger and Canada's Jill Savege. Savege, who was tenth year last year, was tipped as favorite to move a few steps higher in the standings but DNF'd after posting a 5:33:44 bike split. Zeiger also wound up as a DNF on the run after turning in a 5:25:41 bike split.

Only Germany's Nina Kraft, last year's third-place finisher, was able to keep a reasonable gap--about two minutes at some points--to Badmann on the bike. By Kawaihae on the way back from Hawi, Badmann had more than 10 minutes on Canada's Lori Bowden and Brazil's Fernanda Keller, among other illustrious names. American Karen Smyers was holding tough at that point in third a little over nine minutes back.

Once into T2, however, that gap had grown to six minutes. Could Natascha hold her lead against Kraft, a strong runner in her own right? And could the faster runners behind her, Bowden, Keller and others, come back over the big gaps they'd given up? Bowden, too, had to spend three minutes in the sin bin after a penalty on the bike.

Badmann did hold her place on the run, finishing almost seven minutes clear of Kraft, whose marathon was 55 seconds faster in the end. Bowden, meanwhile, turned in a 3:09:32 marathon for her third-place finish, with Fuhr running hard from a long way down to post the day's fasterst marathon--a 3:07:20--to claim fourth. Keller faded a bit on her run but was a strong fifth. No surprise that also running hard all the way was Canada's Lisa Bentley, who at one point was more than 17 minutes down on Badmann. She finished sixth.

At the post-race news conference, Badmann said she's never sure of anything until she crosses the finish line. "You can be certain you will win when you cross the finish line, not before," she said, acknowledging that with 2k to go she did start to feel "comfortable."

"I didn't know at all where Nina was because I don't have eyes on this side," she said, pointing to the back of her head and smiling. "I did my best, and she did her best."

Of the relatively comfortable conditions on the bike, at least compared to the howling winds of recent years, Badmann had this to say: "I guess it doesn't make a difference if there is wind or not. This year it simply was more waves [on the swim]."

Kraft's second-place was the best finish ever for a German woman in Kona, a fact she was made aware of at the news conference. But for Kraft, she said, what was most important was that she had a good race, period: "For me, it's important that I do a good race for me."

That was a sentiment echoed by the 39-year-old Keller, who said that she was focused on enjoying her day in Kona after a few years spent pressing for a good finish to keep her string of good performances alive. When she asked her family about returning to Kona this year, she said her husband told her that of course they'd support her, but that she'd have to have fun.

"I feel great racing and I enjoy what I do," she said when asked about her remarkable consistency, which has seen her post a top-15 finish every year in Kona--since 1988. That includes her remarkable string of third-place finishes, five in all.

One reported DNF that turned out to be wrong was the news that Smyers had dropped out on the run. Smyers had held a good position on the bike and looked in good shape in the early miles of the run. After reports of her DNF, however, Smyers must have rallied, because she did wind up as an official finisher, in 10:53:23. Husband Michael King finished less than an hour later, in 11:49:24, with sister Donna winning the inter-family battle in 10:43:39.

Another hotly contested battle was expected between last year's fourth-place woman, Paula Newby-Fraser, and boyfriend Paul Huddle, racing as a newly minted masters athlete. The Queen of Kona's stated goal was to beat Huddle, which she did--by a second. Both crossed the finish line together in 10:06 and change.

(RESULTS)

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Hed's Kona Coast not legal for Kona's coast

October 16, 2002, Kona, Hawaii

Hed's revolutionary wheel, the Kona Coast, will not be legal for use in the 2002 Hawaiian Ironman, according to race director Sharron Ackles.

The wheel blurs the lines between a 3-spoke and a disc, and bears a resemblance both to Hed's popular Hed3 tri-spoke and Hed's 3D disc, which looks like a Hed3 with the holes filled in. The Kona Coast is essentially a 3D with holes cut into it, resulting in a Hed3 with more surface area.

Sharron Ackles, reached by telephone shortly after her ruling this morning, was asked whether she made her decision based on the wheel's potential to give its users an unfair advantage, its potential danger in severe crosswinds, or procedural issues—that is, that it wasn't submitted for approval prior to the race.

"Two out of the three," was her reply. "We like to see new innovations at least six months prior to the race. We don't want to stifle innovation. We just want to make sure the product is appropriate for the Kona course. The past two years we've had tremendous winds, and I made my decision with this in mind. Risk management was my other concern."

Ackles was also asked whether this wheel will prompt a more specific ruling on wheels, such as a maximum rim and hub depth, and a maximum cumulative width of all the spokes.

"With the advent of this wheel coming to our attention, we've had those discussions over the past 48 hours," she said.

Ackles further said she'd welcome the opportunity to meet with industry experts such as Steve Hed to codify a set of rules for wheels used in Kona.

Hed, reached by phone after the ruling, welcomed the opportunity to work with Ackles in producing a more quantitative rule for wheels on Kona's course. He added, though, that, "I would've loved for our athletes to ride the wheels—they'll make great rear wheels for windy courses. But we still have time to get them all three spokes prior to the race."

While the Hed Kona Coast, which would've been on the rear wheels of bikes ridden by Chris McCormack, Lothar Leder and other top pros in the race, will ironically not be legal here in Kona, it will presumably be legal everywhere else. USA Triathlon's chief arbiter of such rulings is Charlie Crawford, and his remark on the subject was, "I don't see anything wrong with this wheel, from USAT's point of view. But Ironman has their own decisions to make about what is appropriate for their race on their Kona course."

The Hed Kona Coast came over to the Big Island with a ream of papers reporting on its wind tunnel results, including its reportedly impressive ability to handle well in a crosswind. Depending on what sorts of rules arise between this year's Kona race and next, the wheel may gain approval for future Kona races.

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Kona prize purse beefs up

September 10, 2002, Tarpon Springs, Florida

The prize purse for the Ironman World Championships in Kona next month has gotten bigger, swelling from $325,000US to $430,000US, World Triathlon Corporation officials announced.

That boost means the men's and women's winners will each receive $100,000 paydays for claiming victory on Alii Drive.

"Our board of directors is committed to keeping the Ironman Triathlon World Championship the premier event for the sport's most talented professional endurance athletes," said WTC president Lew Friedland. "The increase is in recognition of the growing prominence of the Ironman and our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the professional triathletes."

The prize purse (in U.S. dollars) for the top ten now breaks down like this: first, $100,000; second, $30,000; third, $20,000; fourth, $15,000; fifth, $12,500; sixth, $10,000; seventh, $8,500; eighth, $7,500; ninth, $6,000; tenth, $5,000.

The WTC said the last increase came in 2000, when the prize purse grew from $250,000 to $325,000. The purse is divided equally between men and women.

Race day is Saturday, October 19, with the NBC broadcast scheduled for November 23 in the U.S. To learn more, visit http://www.ironmanlive.com.

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The Baron Von Berg's lifetime ban lifted

September 10, 2001, Vista, California

The crime is recollected differently by those who were there. Opinions also diverge as to who was the real criminal.

According to an eyewitness working the '98 Kona awards ceremony, Baron Rudolphe Von Berg did not order his family's awards tickets in time, and then with wife and kids in tow tried to crash the sold-out post-race event. Insults and oaths by the Belgian devolved into threats and behavior unbefitting an aristrocrat (in the opinion of the WTC, which called the police on Von Berg).

"I stood up," recollects the Baron, "for certain principles––for the right of children to see the awards ceremony––but against the outrageous twenty-five dollar fee children were charged."

While Von Berg was standing up, he was not upstanding, according to the WTC, and the baron was taken by police to a place where bail was posted. Von Berg returned to accept his award for winning the 40-44 age-group. Everybody does agree that Von Berg's effort on race day yielded a fine clocking of 9:23:57.

Then WTC gave Von Berg a fine clocking. It imposed a ban on him, saying essentially that when Charles Manson was eligible to start Kona then Von Berg could race too. Race organizers did not have to state the obvious––that the two criminals were not viewed equivalently, Manson being in an older age group and all.

The fiesty baron was not prepared to spend life in Ironjail.

Rudolphe Von Berg is a private banker from Belgium. He competed in his first Hawaiian Ironman in 1984. He was a triathlon pioneer in his country. He has earned several long-distance age-group world champion crowns. As for "Baron," his family was given the title by Emperor Franz Joseph in the nineteenth century for an ancestor's "services rendered to the crown." The family also carries the titles of Count and Prince, rights which were bestowed a thousand years earlier.

It was not hereditary privilages Von Berg was interested in asserting, but newer-fangled citizen's rights. "The Hawaiian Ironman, labeled the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, is the de facto World Championship of the Ironman distance," says Von Berg in phraseology pregnant with a predictable legal argument. "[I am] not under USAT or ITU suspension... If the WTC wants to unilaterally decide who is to race according to its own subjective criteria, then the race in Kona should be called the 'Hawaii Ironman Invitational,' but not the World Championship."

In other words, the WTC is hoisted––reckons the baron––by its own petard.

Sounding more like one of the great American unwashed than a man of the gentry whose titles drip with (at least the sound of) privilage, Von Berg says, "One cannot be indicted, charged, and convicted without due process, without a trial. Does the U.S. constitution––or any other constitution––allow that? Isn't it a fundamental right we all have?"

It's a matter of public fairness, thought Von Berg. It's a matter of private ownership, thought the WTC. As is often the case in situations like this, lawsuits were apparently filed: Von Berg's in Florida, WTC's in Kona.

This was the status quo as of September, 2001. As of today all lawsuits are dropped, perhaps through the power of legal persuasion, although terms of the settlement are not known. Von Berg has now been allowed to race, subject to normal qualification procedures. One assumes he'll be the height of princely demeanor if and when he returns to Kona.

You never know how things are going to turn out. "I would like to set up," says Von Berg, "an Ironman foundation that every year would send children from five continents to Kona––children who cannot afford going themselves could go there to experience the atmosphere of the race."

Maybe someday Von Berg's one-time ticket to jail will be exchanged for the key to the city. If such a foundation were established, would Von Berg get a police escort during the Parade of Nations?

• Lew Friedland to step down as WTC head
• IM qualifiers for Kona 2004 revealed
• Want to race an Ironman? Get a passport!
• What do Kona course changes portend?
• Ironman makes it to prime time
• WTC matures as a brand builder
• Welchy expands role with WTC
• Tom Cooney new Kona Event Manager
• WTC temporarily closes Kona office
• Ackles out as Kona RD
• JulieAnne White's got a secret admirer—Peter Reid
• Badmann, DeBoom repeat in Kona
• Hed's Kona Coast not legal for Kona's coast
• Kona prize purse beefs up
• The Baron Von Berg's lifetime ban lifted