Kona, Hawaii, October 23, 2006 – The 30th running of the Ironman World Triathlon Championship in Kona, Hawaii took place on Saturday, October 21. Normann Stadler of Germany and Australian
Michellie Jones were the top male and female finishers among the over 1,700 competitors from 51 countries. Considered by many as the world’s most challenging endurance event, athletes swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and ran a full marathon – 26. 2 miles – in the heat, humidity, and searing lava fields that surround the course in and around Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Just one week earlier, a major earthquake shook the island and caused much structural building damage; however, the only notable remnants of the quake on race day were stories by athletes and a recognition and respect for the power of the island.

The 33 year-old Stadler had won this race just 2 years ago in 2004; but, after suffering 2 flat tires in 2005, was forced to quit the Championship last year. After a terrific swim and a bike course record of 4:18:23, he began the run a bit conservatively; however, as Chris McCormack of Australia began to steadily gain time on him, he dug deep and ran the final 10 kilometers hard to capture the victory in a total time of 8:11:56. McCormack began the marathon 10 minutes behind Stadler and thought he may have had a chance to catch the German; but, it was not to be. “I threw everything at him on the run, but he won fair and square,” said the popular McCormack who ran the 2nd fastest marathon time of the day in 2:4 6:02. Last year’s male champion, Faris Al-Sultan of Germany, ran a strong race and finished third.

On the women’s side, Michellie Jones took charge early on the bike to win convincingly in a time of 9:18:31. The 37 year-old who now lives and trains in Southern California showed her overall prowess in all 3 disciplines by finishing in the top 5 of the swim, bike, and run. Jones, who has won 2 World Championship titles in short-course triathlon and a silver medal in the 2004 Sydney Olympics, has won over 170 triathlons around the world in her illustrious career, making her one of the winningest triathletes of all time. After being bitterly disappointed at not being selected for her country’s Olympic team in 2004, Jones’ husband/manager convinced her to try the Ironman distance. In just her first attempt, Jones was victorious at Ironman Florida in 2004, and won Ironman Arizona earlier this year. Her only other Ironman experience was last year’s Championship in Kona, where she finished second to 6-time World Ironman Champion, Natascha Badmann of Switzerland. Jones was quick to credit her victory to her friend and mentor, Paula Newby-Fraser, who has more Ironman victories than any athlete in the world, including a record 8 World Ironman Championship titles. “Without her, there’s no way I could have done it,” said Jones following the race. An ecstatic Desiree Ficker of Austin, TX crossed the line in 2nd place, with Canadian Lisa Bentley running into 3rd with the fastest marathon of the day for the women.

There are many stories within the Ironman, and one involves an elite group of company executives who compete against each other for the title of “Fittest CEO in the World.” The “CEO Challenge” began in 2005, and qualifies Chief Executives from all over the world at 5 other Ironman races to compete in Kona at the World Championship. This year’s “Fittest CEO in the World” was Jason Hayden, 36 years old from Australia. His time of 9:52:29 was the second fastest time ever for a CEO Challenge competitor.

Of local interest, David Daggett, Managing Partner with Lewis and Daggett Attorneys at Law, completed the World Championship race in 11:55:57. This placed him third in the 40-49 age division of the CEO Challenge. His swim time of 1:08:36 ranked him 2nd among all of the CEO’s competing this year. David has been competing in triathlons for over 25 years, and has finished over 140 different races. This includes 13 other Ironman races around the world, with a best time of 10:31 at Ironman Germany in 1997. David’s wife, Cynthia, 2 daughters and one son form this triathlete’s support team. Daggett’s practice specializes in providing representation to children, families and individuals who are wrongfully injured or disabled, including cyclists and athletes.

David D. Daggett
(I apologize in advance for poor typing skills)

Winston-Salem Office
336-765-7777
Triwakefan@aol.com
www.lewisdaggett.com
www.safeandsober.com