IRONMAN brand owner World Triathlon Corp (WTC) has today confirmed the acquisition of Optimum Sports Events, organizer of the Challenge Vichy triathlon and the Vichy Half Triathlon in France.
As a result of the acquisition, the Vichy Half Triathlon will become IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy with the race now taking place on Saturday 29 August 2015.
“France has been a fantastic market for the sport of triathlon and we are extremely impressed by the Optimum Sports Events team,” said Thomas Dieckhoff, CEO IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Their commitment is demonstrated by the quality and spirit athletes have come to expect of their events and it is an honour to work with Race Director Gael Mainard and his staff to bring IRONMAN to Vichy.”
Dieckhoff continued, “We are committed to further develop Optimum Sports’ existing events as well as work with them to create new ones.”
IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy will become the third IRONMAN branded race in France, joining IRONMAN Nice on 28 June 2015 and IRONMAN 70.3 Pays d’Aix in Aix en Provence on 3 May 2015.
“The acquisition by IRONMAN opens a new chapter in the history of our events and we are very excited about what the world’s best-known endurance brand can offer to us,” added Race Director Gael Mainard. “We are confident that our new colleagues and resources will enable us to lift triathlon events in Vichy to a new level.”
IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy will have 30 qualifying slots for the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Australia. All athletes that had registered for the Vichy Half Triathlon are now registered for IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy. Athletes will receive updated race information in the coming weeks.
