2023-08-28 09:06:41
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Perfect service on the Ironman distance: Son Tobias coaches and takes care of Claudia Bregulla (left) at the qualifying race in Kalmar, Sweden. © Private
Utting – The Olympic idea was in the foreground, she wanted to enjoy the first long distance and reach the finish line in a respectable time. But things turned out very differently for Claudia Bregulla: the triathlete from Uttingen qualified straight away for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in Kalmar, Sweden.
“Actually without great expectations” Bregulla traveled to Sweden. The respect at her first participation in an Ironman qualification race was greater than the prospect of one of the coveted slots with the ‘age groupers’, the age group World Championship participants. The 56-year-old trained well, but a long-term intestinal disease is still bothering her. In this respect, “finish successfully” was announced. But it became much more.
The premiere on the long distance demanded a lot from Bregulla and her competitors: strong wind, fog and the 17 degrees ‘warm’ Kalmarsund were a real challenge. “It was incredibly difficult to find a rhythm in the choppy water,” recalls the Uttingerin. She completed the 3.8km swim in a “rather moderate” time, then made up ground on the 180km bike course, which led across the Kalmar Sound Bridge to the island of Wasteland.
With “surprisingly good legs” we finally started the marathon. But the intestines rebelled, which is why Bregulla had to make three “dixi stops” on the final 42.195 kilometers. If they hadn’t been, it would have been 3rd place in the age group. Nevertheless, following 12:03 hours it was clear: On October 14th, long distances will be announced once more in Hawaii.
Done: After 12:03 hours, Claudia Bregulla crossed the finish line in Kalmar and thus qualified for the Ironman Hawaii. © Private
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