Ironman Lake Tahoe swim exit
The Lake Tahoe course will certainly come to be known as one of the toughest Ironman courses in the world. Add freezing temperatures to this, and you had an epic day that pushed everyone to their limits. The DNF rate was one of the highest ever for an Ironman race – 24%. Every one of our athletes finished the swim, which was an “Ironman” unto itself. The water temperature dropped at least 7 degrees overnight. Estimates have the lake ranging from 55 to 57 degrees at the start. The air temperature reading at the bank just outside the swim exit was 29 degrees. Our athletes shivered their way through the bike, with 4 missing intermediate bike cut-offs. For the 13 athletes who completed the bike, all went on to finish the run. Overall finish times were on average 2 hours slower than normal, and in many cases, much more.
Congratulations to our Lake Tahoe Ironman finishers:
Ben Quillinan 13:51 – 1st IM!
Darren West 13:34
Henry Wright 14:56
Jamie Cook 16:16
Jenifer Garner 15:44
Kirk Lacko 13:04
Kirk McCarville 15:21
Mike Basten 14:38
Rachael Quillinan 14:54 – 1st IM!
Toby Baum 12:58
Russell Vanbeber 14:49
Tom Hennessy 14:44
Bill Wilson 16:11
We would also like to recognize James Sun, Joan McGue, Kirsten Cooper, and Jason Holmes who finished the swim course and over half the bike course. None gave up, giving everything they had until forced to leave the course. We are so proud of their attitudes and perseverance throughout.
