Alors que les rumeurs de l’abandon de la course à Lake Placid étaient persistantes suite à la création de nouvelles courses à proximité (Mont-Tremblant et New-York) et d’une communauté qui refuse de payer pour recevoir la course (WTC demande aux villes accueillant les courses de payer afin d’obtenir les courses puisqu’elles génèrent des revenus). WTC vient de confirmer une prolongation pour les 5 prochaines années. Nous ne connaissons pas les détails de l’entente pour le moment. Ces informations devraient sortir prochainement dans la presse locale.
Même si le Québec a désormais une course à Tremblant, cela reste une très bonne nouvelle pour la communauté. Cela évitera une pénurie dans le nombre de places disponibles dans la région nord-est. Aussi, Ironman Lake Placid est l’une des pierres fondatrices de notre sport et il aurait été dommage de la perde. C’est sans aucun doute une course à faire un fois dans sa vie.
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Tampa, Fla. (July 20, 2012) – IRONMAN® today announced that it will continue the long-standing tradition with the Village of Lake Placid, N.Y. thanks to a five year contract extension for IRONMAN Lake Placid. Known as the oldest IRONMAN event in the continental U.S., IRONMAN Lake Placid has long been touted as one of the most beautiful courses on the IRONMAN circuit.
Now one of more than 30 events in the global IRONMAN Series, IRONMAN Lake Placid first took place in 1999. Athletes were blown away by a challenging course that could only be part of America’s ultimate playground and the area rich in athletic competition that is Lake Placid. Having hosted two Olympics, the community embraced its opportunity to showcase another world-class event, making athletes feel at home and ensuring that each and every IRONMAN race held there would be memorable.
“IRONMAN is extremely fortunate to have the support of such great Adirondack communities,” said Jeff Edwards, IRONMAN Operations Manager and long-time Lake Placid Resident. “We are a community that knows how to hold world-class events, having hosted two Olympic Games in 1932 and 1980, and the people of Lake Placid revel in the opportunity to support these amazing athletes and help them reach their goals as we continue to build on the IRONMAN legacy.”
With the additions of IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant and the AquaDraat Sports IRONMAN U.S. Championship, this extension ensures that such a marquee event on the IRONMAN circuit continues in Upstate New York. Downtown Lake Placid offers athletes and spectators easy access to the swim start, IRONMAN Village and transition. The course is spectator friendly, making it a fantastic venue for family and friends to watch and support. This year a field of more than 2,800 athletes are set to compete at the popular race.
“We are so happy to announce another five years of magic in the awe-inspiring Adirondack Mountains, said Greg Borzilleri, Race Director for IRONMAN Lake Placid. “It is an honor and a privilege to be the race director for one of the best IRONMAN events in the continental U.S. The race impacts the community in such a positive way and I thank the volunteers, spectators, residents and athletes who continue to make it so special each and every year.”