Updated: Triathlon Ireland says it couldn’t sanction Ironman Ireland, Cork due to water conditions

The triathlon world is reeling after the news of two deaths during the swim at Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork, yesterday (see link below). Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coombes has since issued a statement saying that “Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials attended before the start of the race to review the conditions and carry out a water safety assessment. Due to adverse conditions on the day, Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials confirmed to the race organisers that it was not possible to sanction the race.”

You can read the full statement below.

We understand that Ironman is preparing a response to Triathlon Ireland’s statement and will post that as soon as it is available. You can read our story on the response below.

Ironman responds to Triathlon Ireland statement, disputing the timeline of sanctioning decision

After Ironman released its statement, Triathlon Ireland, through PR crisis firm Fuzion Communications, added to Coombes’ statement:

For the Ironman Cork event, in line with normal practice, Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials attended before the start of the race to review the conditions and carry out a water safety assessment. Due to adverse conditions on the day, BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials confirmed to the race organisers that it was not possible to sanction the race. 

After severe weather forced the cancellation of the Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork event on Saturday, it was announced that the race would run in conjunction with the full-distance Ironman Ireland event on Sunday. On Sunday morning race organizers announced that the full-distance swim would be shortened to 1.9 km due “current conditions of the water at the swim start.”

Canadian Ivan Chittenden and Ireland’s Brendan Wall died during the swim portion of the race.

Yesterday Ironman issued a further statement on the decision around the swim:

With all IRONMAN events, our utmost priority is the safety of our athletes and all others involved in the event. The weather conditions were monitored carefully over the IRONMANIreland, Cork and IRONMAN 70.3 Ireland, Cork triathlon weekend, with the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon being re-scheduled to take place on Sunday, alongside IRONMAN Ireland, Cork to provide a safer race for athletes.

On the morning of Sunday 20 August, IRONMAN Ireland officials and the specific on-swim safety team carried out all standard safety protocol checks that are completed at every race and determined water conditions were safe for the swim to take place. 

Due to the prevailing weather conditions, a decision was made, however, to shorten the distance of the swim as a further precaution to ensure that the significant water safety assets – such as kayaks, lifeguards and medical boats – could be concentrated over a smaller area while also allowing swimmers the ability to swim with the help of a more favourable current and incoming tide after the first 100m.  

Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of the two athletes who passed. We are providing ongoing assistance to their families and we will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time.

Canadian triathlete dies during swim at Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork

Videos from the event show challenging water conditions, which reportedly got worse once the athletes were in the water.

Statement from Darren Coombes, CEO Triathlon Ireland

Triathlon Ireland is reeling from the news that Ivan Chittenden and Brendan Wall, athletes in the Ironman Cork event in Youghal, tragically died yesterday morning while participating in the race. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ivan’s and Brendan’s loved ones.  The triathlon community is a very close community and this loss has had a devastating effect on all of us.

Triathlon Ireland is the National Governing Body for triathlon in Ireland, a role which includes providing sanction for club and commercial races to proceed. In our almost 40 year history, the sport in Ireland has an impeccable safety record.

For the Ironman Cork event, in line with normal practice, Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials attended before the start of the race to review the conditions and carry out a water safety assessment. Due to adverse conditions on the day, Triathlon Ireland Technical Officials confirmed to the race organisers that it was not possible to sanction the race.

As there is an investigation ongoing, at this stage it would not be appropriate for us to make any further comment only to state that Triathlon Ireland will provide any assistance that the authorities require.

Finally, we reiterate our deepest condolences to the families of Ivan Chittenden and Brendan Wall.