A massive landslide on the bike course forced the cancellation of BMC Ironman 70.3 Switzerland in Rapperswil-Jona on Sunday 2 June. The event had already been changed to a duathlon thanks to cold and wet weather conditions.
The organizers of BMC Ironman 70.3 Switzerland had to cancel the race after the landslide hit the bike course. Starting out as a duathlon, the race got under way with a 4.5K run, but weather conditions quickly deteriorated once the athletes were on the course.
The entire field of more than 2,300 athletes was out on the bike course when the race had to be cancelled for safety reasons. Thankfully no one was hurt in the landslide.
“It was a massive landslide,” said Stefan Jaeger, World Triathlon Corporation’s Director of Public Relations Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The road between Schmerikon and Jona was totally closed down.”
“We base all of our decisions on the health and well-being of our athletes,” added Kai Walter, World Triathlon Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer Europe, Middle East and Africa. “After talking to the local authorities and police we weren’t left with any other choice but to cancel the race.“
During a last course check at 05:00 local time on race day by Ironman staff and police, the racecourse was regarded as safe. “We are triathletes ourselves and we know that people have been preparing for this race for months. We are extremely disappointed,” added Thomas Dieckhoff, World Triathlon Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Ironman will be in touch with all athletes affected by the cancellation of the race in the next few days.
