投稿者: TMJ Otsuka

先週末ニース開催を前に急な報道となった。アイアンマンのCEO、アンドリュー・メシック氏の引退が発表され大きな話題となっている。

アイアンマンレースを増やし、よりグローバルでの存在意義を広めて来たメシック氏。様々なことを実施、結果を残して来た。このところは、KONAのワールドチャンピオンシップ開催について、賛否も含め、その関心が高まっていた。昨年は、2021年分開催として、初めてハワイ州以外となるユタ州セントジョージでの3000名開催、昨年KONAでは、木曜日女子、土曜日男子となる実質の2日間連続5000名開催、そして、今年は、9月にフランスニースでの男子開催、10月KONAでの女子開催を予定していた。

メシック氏は広く可能性を考え、KONAに固執し過ぎることなく、いろいろなカタチを試して来た。できること、再考が必要なことなど、試さなければ分からないこともある。明確に分かったことは「KONA伝説」はやはりあるということだ。結果からは何とでも言えるが、「一つの指標」として強い意識が生まれたことは確かだ。良い悪いではなく、答えを出すための過程は必要であるということ。

一つだけ希望したい。

KONAのレベルをチェックしているが、「SUB10」が大きなキーワードと考えている。「KONAアスリートはやはり本物」と言えるステイタスは維持して欲しい。

以下の表は近年の「SUB10率」だ。やはり20%が目標となるのではないだろうか。

※2013年までは出走数、2014年以降はエントリー数

以下、大会NEWSとなる。

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ANDREW MESSICK TO RETIRE AFTER 12 YEARS AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE IRONMAN GROUP, LEADING COMPANY THROUGH SOME OF ITS MOST TRANSFORMATIVE YEARS

– Milestones and Timeline Under Messick – Link

TAMPA, Fla. (July 6, 2023) – After 12 years of transformative leadership, Andrew Messick has announced he will be retiring in 2023 from his position of President & Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. Messick will remain a stakeholder and member of the Board of Directors following the recruitment and appointment of a new CEO.
 
“Being the CEO of The IRONMAN Group has been the professional honor of my life – the most meaningful and purposeful work experience I have had – and I am filled with gratitude for the support of my team members, our partners, and the athlete community over the past 12 years,” said Messick. “I have given all I have to this job and my life has been enriched by the opportunity to build incredible events, meet athlete community members from all over the world, and lead an incredibly dedicated group of colleagues.”
 
Messick joined The IRONMAN Group in 2011 and led the transition of the organization from a triathlon brand to the world’s largest organizer of mass participation events with a compelling portfolio of hundreds of events annually across more than 50 countries in triathlon, running, trail-running, road cycling, and mountain biking, while also adding digital training platforms and programs for athletes. Key brands acquired or developed alongside the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon series include the UTMB^®World Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, Epic Series of mountain biking events anchored by the Absa Cape Epic, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™, and FulGaz^® virtual cycling digital platform. Throughout his tenure, Messick has tasked his team with creating and delivering opportunities for individuals around the world to experience the life-changing benefits of endurance sports.
 
Messick continued, “I am proud of the organization we have built with senior leaders and a global team of dedicated individuals who have been the backbone of our success. Combined with a supportive long-term focused ownership group in Advance and Orkila Capital, and a passionate base of athletes, the company is well positioned for the future.”
 
“Andrew and I first bonded 15 years ago over our shared love for IRONMAN and have worked together since 2011,” said Jesse Du Bey, Managing Partner for Orkila Capital. “It has been amazing to watch the business transform under his leadership. He has been a powerful force in growing The IRONMAN Group – endurance sport, and particularly triathlon – all over the world. We are all grateful for his service to the sport and look forward to his next chapter as a member of the Board.”
 
“Our partnership with Andrew and confidence in his leadership were critical to Advance’s decision in March of 2020 to acquire The IRONMAN Group while an unprecedented and unpredictable pandemic disruption to the live events industry was well underway,” said Janine Shelffo, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Advance. “It is thanks to his steady stewardship that The IRONMAN Group has emerged from that disruption well poised to capitalize on the tremendous long-term opportunities we see ahead. I am grateful for his dedication and his longstanding commitment to inspiring athletes worldwide.”
 
Prior to joining The IRONMAN Group in 2011, Messick served as President of AEG Sports where he played a leading role for its sports teams and properties, including the Amgen Tour of California, Bay to Breakers foot race, Euroleague Basketball, and AEG China. Prior to that, Messick was the Senior Vice President, International for the National Basketball Association where he was responsible for overseeing the NBA’s network of international offices and for leading the NBA’s efforts to globalize.
 
Messick’s love for endurance sports played a key role in his decision to join The IRONMAN Group as CEO in 2011 and he has been a fixture over the past 12 years at hundreds of events all over the world. Andrew has completed four IRONMAN^® triathlons and dozens of IRONMAN^® 70.3^® events, including the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship; has completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors; is an OCC Finisher of UTMB Mont-Blanc; and has competed in cycling events around the world including multiple Haute Route events.
 
Messick concluded, “Leaving this leadership role with IRONMAN is difficult, as my love for this company runs deep. I did my first IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons nearly two decades ago, long before I had any affiliation with the organization. What I have learned and seen at the races have been some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I have always been a true believer in the life-changing nature of our races, our mission, and our brand.”
 
For more information on The IRONMAN Group and global event series, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

9/10（日）アイアンマンワールドチャンピオンシップが開催されるNICEのコースが発表となった。昨年5月のセントジョージに続き、ハワイ以外で開催されるワールドチャンピオンシップは、男子のみ開催され、女子は1ヶ月後の10/14（土）KONAで開催される。

ニースと言えば、南フランスのリゾート地であり、世界的にも人気の観光地となる。スポーツイベントの開催地としても盛んに行われ、ツールドフランスのステージにも設定されるロケーションとなる。

やはり、気になるのはバイクコースだが、まさにツールドフランスと言ったコースが広がっている。詳細は下記の通りだが、壮大なワンループのコースとなり、バイクでのパフォーマンスがレースの行方を握っていると言っても良い。ランは海岸線を空港で折り返すコースで、沿道からの観戦、応援が大会を盛り上げてくれるだろう。

以下、大会NEWSとなる。

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NICE, FRANCE COURSE UNVEILED FOR 2023 VINFAST IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 

NICE, Fra. / TAMPA, Fla. (June 21, 2023) – As preparations continue for the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN^®World Championship triathlon, taking place in two locations for the first time in event history, IRONMAN has today revealed the Nice, France course the men’s field will swim, bike, and run in the Côte d’Azur on September 10. The women will continue building on the Hawaiian roots of IRONMAN World Championship racing in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on October 14.
 
As a nod to the immense triathlon history that exists in the European birthplace of long-distance triathlon that is Nice, France, the race will be centered around the “Promenade des Anglais”, Nice’s most famous walkway – and an iconic location which has seen some of triathlon’s elite race to victory, from Paula Newby-Fraser to Mark Allen. Adorned by palm trees and overlooking the azure waters, this is where crowds will gather to watch their athletes dive into the Mediterranean Sea from the “Plage des Ponchettes” and ultimately cross the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship finish line.

Beginning with the Mediterranean Sea swim, athletes will enter transition from the Promenade des Anglais and follow a double rectangular out and back course in the water, before embarking on one of the most iconic bike courses in all of the triathlon world. Technical and challenging but rewarding in its beauty, athletes will take in the rooftop villages of Vence, Gourdon and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the ascent, before they cruise down the “Route de Thorenc” and through the “Clues de Gréolières” on the descent, famous for its stunning feature film backdrop scenery.
 
The flat four lap run course will take runners up and down the glitzy Promenade des Anglais, giving them the opportunity to soak up the Mediterranean Sea and infamous Chaises Bleues (blue chairs) on one side, and the luxury hotels and casinos on the other, while gaining encouragement by the crowds gathered at multiple spectator friendly points.
 
Further details of the course are below and can be found here.

ROKA SWIM COURSE:
The ROKA SWIM in Nice’s ‘Baie des Anges’ or ‘Bay of Angels’ is a 3.8km (2.4 mile) open water swim through blue Mediterranean waters. Athletes will enter the water from the pebble beach at “Plage des Ponchettes”, just off the Promenade des Anglais, for an in water start and will follow a double rectangular course perpendicular to the Promenade. The swim is known for its clear, azure waters and swimmers will spot stunning views of the coastline and Alpes Maritimes in the background.

 
FULGAZ BIKE COURSE:
The FulGaz™ BIKE course in Nice is a one-loop 180.2km (112 mile) bike course that is arguably one of the most spectacular and challenging out of all of IRONMAN races. Starting from T1 at the Promenade des Anglais, the course makes its way directly out of town and up through the hinterland of Nice via the beautiful villages of the Parc Naturel des Préalpes d’Azur. On the way up, athletes will enjoy the Alpes-Maritimes region, offering picturesque views of the Mediterranean Sea. The downhill is steep, requiring strict concentration as athletes navigate down the scenic canyon road, Clues de Gréolières, a famous movie backdrop. While there will be stunning coastline, and charming villages, this course will feature challenging climbs and technical descents with elevation gains of up to 2400 metres.
 
Athletes can start practicing virtually on the Nice hinterland terrain by creating a free trial account with FulGaz today.

 
HOKA RUN COURSE:
Get ready for a run lined with spectators from start to finish as the HOKA RUN course spans end-to-end of the iconic Promenade des Anglais. This four loop, 42.2km (26.2 miles) path to the finish will take runners alongside the famous beach clubs, the Chaises Bleues (blue chairs), and the monumental Negresco Hotel – all with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, before U-turning at the Nice International Airport. With each loop, competitors will experience the energy of the crowd as they tackle the flat, fast course, and push their limits towards the ultimate finish line.
 
Over the years Nice and the Côte d’Azur have staked a claim as a major sporting destination, hosting many sports events of a global scale. As the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes on the French Riviera in the southeast coast of France, Nice became the birthplace of long-distance triathlon in Europe in 1982 when it first hosted the “Triathlon International de Nice”. From 1994-2002, Nice was host to the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships five times. The triathlon became an IRONMAN^® event in 2005 and Nice has been one of the most popular locations on the IRONMAN race circuit, hosting both the IRONMAN France races, IRONMAN 70.3^® Nice France races, as well as hosting the pinnacle event in the IRONMAN 70.3 Series, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in 2019.
 
What they are saying about the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship – Nice course:
 
Diana Bertsch, Senior Vice President, World Championship Events, IRONMAN, commented: “An IRONMAN World Championship course is one which will deliver an unrivalled experience for our athletes, allowing them to soak up the culture of the host city, while also joining a part of triathlon history. Having visited Nice many times over the past year and having the city as the host for the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon, I can certainly say we are tremendously excited for athletes to experience this course for themselves.”
 
Yves Cordier, Race Director for VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, commented: “Preparations are in full swing as we look forward to welcoming professional triathletes and age-groupers from all over the world to our city in just under three months. Athletes will enjoy the amazing sceneries from the legendary “Baie des Anges”, the Promenade des Anglais and the Nice hinterland. Having raced in Nice multiple times myself, this course really has a ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality, and athletes will have to experience it themselves to realize how truly special it is.  
 
Mark Allen, Six-time IRONMAN World Champion and 10-time winner of the Nice International Triathlon, said: “Some of the most impactful and memorable experiences during my racing career took place in Nice, both on and off the course. From the powdery blue water of the Mediterranean to what has to be one of the most beautiful and yes challenging bike courses in the world to the run along the Promenade des Anglais, Nice is iconic. Then add to that the sparkle and experience every IRONMAN World Championship event brings to a location, mix in the culture of Southern France and the Côte D’Azure, and well, let me just say it’s going to be an IRONMAN World Championship event and experience you won’t want to miss. You will cherish it and remember it forever!”
 
For more information about the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship event, please visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.
 
To learn more about the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and series of events, please visit www.ironman.com.

Triathlon “ MONO ” Journalist　  Nobutaka Otsuka