A raft of new changes are under way in Germany, as Ironman has confirmed the acquisitions of Kraichgau Sports Promotion UG and Challenge Rügen Sports Promotion UG. This deal includes the additions of a half-distance triathlon and 5150 triathlon in Kraichgau and a new Ironman 70.3 Ruegen triathlon added to Ironman’s European schedule.
The half-distance triathlon in Kraichgau, which has to date operated as Challenge Kraichgau, is scheduled for 15 June 2014. The Ironman 70.3 Ruegen triathlon will take place on 14 September 2014 with registration opening on 15 November 2013.
At the same time, Ironman has announced the addition of Björn Steinmetz as its new Managing Director, Germany. Steinmetz was part of Kraichgau Sports Promotion UG and was the co-founder and race director of the Challenge branded race in Kraichgau.
He will now oversee all German-based races including the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt am Main, the Ironman 70.3 European Championship in Wiesbaden and the newly announced races that expand the Ironman portfolio in the key market of Germany.
Steinmetz has been the President of the Triathlon Federation of the State of Baden-Württemberg and the spokesperson for all regional triathlon associations within the German Federal Triathlon Association (DTU). The father of two children, he has been a triathlete since the mid-1990s and has finished ten full-distance races, including two Ironman World Championship events in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.
“My approach was always to organize a race for triathletes by triathletes. Ironman is a great opportunity to lift our Kraichgau races to the next level,” said Steinmetz.
“Björn adds a huge amount of know-how to our team and I am extremely excited to have him on board,” added Thomas Dieckhoff, Chief Executive Officer Ironman Europe, Middle East and Africa.
“He’s the type of person that won’t compromise when it comes to race quality and athlete satisfaction, and I am very much looking forward to working with him and his team.”
Steinmetz succeeds Kai Walter, who was promoted to Chief Operating Officer Ironman Europe, Middle East and Africa earlier this year.
Triathlon website DNF Is No Option has published the release from the organising team in Kraichgau. This confirms the new ownership by Ironman and continues to state… ‘Do not worry, we will not be “swallowed” – on the contrary. What has made us successful in Kraichgau, we can also bring in the future to other races…. The price remains the same and the race has the same organizing team, the same incredible helpers, the same route and the same crowd who cheer you to the finish.’
DNF Is No Option also released a statement from Challenge Family, the former owner of the event in Kraichgau. Full details are available at www.dnf-is-no-option.com.
