Ironman 70.3 Switzerland Cancelled
Severe weather and a landslide on the bike course forces an end to the race.
IRONMAN regrets to inform that the BMC IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland in Rapperswil-Jona had to be cancelled after a landslide on the bike course. While no athlete was hurt police closed down the bike course thereafter.
“We base all of our decisions on the health and well-being of our athletes. After talking to the local authorities and police we weren’t left with any other choice but to cancel the race,” said Kai Walter, World Triathlon Corporation’s (d/b/a IRONMAN) Chief Operating Officer Europe, Middle East & Africa.
During a last check-ride at 5am on race day carried out by IRONMAN and police the race course was deemed safe and organizers were given permission to go ahead and start the race. “The decision was made together with the local authorities and police whose expertise is invaluable. However against all forecasts weather conditions worsened quickly after the race had started,” said Walter.
IRONMAN will be in touch with all athletes affected by the cancellation of the race over the course of the next days. “We are triathletes ourselves and we know that people have been preparing for this race for months. We are extremely disappointed,” added Thomas Dieckhoff, World Triathlon Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Europe, Middle East & Africa. Due to the weather conditions the race format had already been changed to run/bike/run in the days leading up to the race.
