With an expected 3,000 athletes, more than 100,000 spectators, and 266 kilometres of competition, former Ironman Champions are set to face-off at the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt on July 3, 2016.
With the women’s professional field to be announced in the coming weeks, the men’s professional field includes some of Ironman’s best, including Sebastian Kienle, Andreas Raelert and Tim O’Donnell.
The 2014 Ironman European Champion and Ironman World Champion, Sebastian Kienle, is ready to bounce back after his fellow countryman Jan Frodeno claimed victories at both events in 2015. Kienle is no stranger to success, despite having to settle for a second place finish in Frankfurt and eighth place finish in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i last year.
“It really feels like I have seen it all in the past 24 months: the highest of highs and the lowest of lows of our sport. But once you have tasted victory you long for more. I can’t wait to race against Andi (Raelert) and Tim (O’Donnell) in Frankfurt,” said Kienle.
Rostock-based Andreas Raelert had a strong 2015 season, with a sixth place finish at the Ironman European Championship Frankfurt and a second place finish at the Ironman World Championship, just three minutes after Frodeno.
“Obviously winning here in Frankfurt in 2010 was a career moment for me. At the same time there were some bitter moments as well, especially my DNF in 2014,” Raelert said.
Adding to the strong pro field and racing for the first time in Frankfurt will be American Tim O’Donnell. O’Donnell finished third at last year’s Ironman World Championship and second at the 2015 Ironman Latin American Championship Brazil, and looks to improve on an already impressive resume.
