Triathlete Wolfgang Weinmann and his very special Ironman task

The Ironman World Cup in Hawaii is every triathlete's dream. Those who want to participate must qualify. Wolfgang Weinmann from Weilheim did it - but faces a special situation because of Corona.

Weilheim - The Ironman World Championships in Hawaii - for the triathletes that is the dream par excellence. To be part of the most famous competition in the world, you have to qualify. Wolfgang Weinmann (55) did it for the first time last year in Mar del Plata (Argentina) - as third in his age group. The Ironman World Cup 2020 has recently been postponed because of Corona.

For this reason, two races will take place in 2021 (February 6 / October 9). Weinmann keeps its slot, it may start in October. The post SV athlete works as a chemist at "3M" in Seefeld in the area of ​​research and development for dental equipment. He has participated in the Challenge in Roth, the largest long-distance event in the world, several times. One of Weinmann's hobbies is music - the Frank Zappa fan plays guitar and bass, likes listening to jazz rock and punk, and builds electric and acoustic guitars out of wood. As a member of a band for dance music, he financed his studies. Weinmann lives in Weilheim, the family includes his wife Uta and the children Timo and Sina.

What do the corona restrictions mean for you as a triathlete?

Weinmann: There is no organized swimming training. Unlike in France, running and cycling were always allowed in Germany. The most striking thing this year is that there will be no competitions until at least the end of July.

What would your calendar look like without Corona this year?

Weinmann: I would have already completed the first competitions, including the duathlon in Krailling. I would have contested fewer races because of Hawaii. In preparation for the challenge in Roth, I would have completed a middle distance in Munich in mid-May. I was really looking forward to Roth (planned for July 5, but canceled, red.), I will be back in for next year. The 2020 season highlight would of course have been Hawaii.

What is special about the Hawaii Ironman?

Weinmann: What Wimbledon for tennis players or Mount Everest for mountaineers - that's Hawaii for triathletes. The competition is actually cheese (laughs). It's far away, it's hot, often very humid - and the routes are really demanding. In addition, there is an insane wind. But participation is a knighthood for every triathlete. It is the goal of almost all people who practice this sport. I am really glad that I got the qualification.

The competition is postponed. You received your slot for the competition in October 2021. What does that mean for you now?

Weinmann: It's a little bit like "And the marmot greets you every day". This means that the season as I had planned for this year can now be mirrored for the coming year. This also includes participating in the Challenge in Roth. The Ironman World Cup in February 2021 would have been awesome. Because that means that I would have to complete the intensive units in the weeks leading up to the Ironman all in winter. Sitting on the bike for five hours is a burden. The risk of catching a cold is great - and then the training effect would be gone.

Because of Corona, have you considered not competing in Hawaii?

Weinmann: No. I assume that if the Ironman gets the green light, a start regarding Corona is safe.

Post SV members have already participated in the Hawaii Ironman. Did you get any tips?

Weinmann: Steffen Frühauf (participant 2014, editor) is a very good friend of mine. And he has already told me what is important and what is better not to do. The competition day is long, there can be so many mistakes. Steffen also gave me a book last year - "Road to Kona" by Volker Boch. That was before I qualified. Joachim Sontheim (participant 2002, editor) also gave me some tips for the race.

Was the trip to Hawaii already booked this year?

Weinmann: Yes. The flights were booked a week after I had qualified.

Did that go through an organizer or privately?

Weinmann: I did that privately. My wife would have been there and possibly my son. The daughter could not have come, the legal clerkship begins for her. We wanted to go on vacation for three weeks before the competition and visit three of the islands. We would have lived in holiday homes, I prefer that to a hotel. The Ironman would have been on the penultimate day of the vacation.

Will the Hawaii trip be canceled this year?

Weinmann: Yes, it fails. I was able to cancel the apartments. I'll probably stay seated on the cost of the flights. The good news: I've already booked an apartment for 2021 on the Big Island.

How and to what extent are you currently training?

Weinmann: I train as if the normal competition season was going on. I have a trainer, Theresa Grasskamp, ​​who sends me a plan every week. It describes exactly what to do for each day. A cycle always goes from Monday to Sunday. In a week of stress, I get 13 to 16 hours of training with high intensities. It takes nine to ten hours in a week of relief. My training performance is recorded using a GPS watch, and the computer is then used to compare whether I have worked properly in terms of intensity. I have a pedal on my bike that measures the wattage. There is immediate feedback from the trainer. If I do not meet the requirements and have trained too much, for example, then there is sometimes a kick. In view of the new developments, I am thinking of taking part in a long-distance competition in September, possibly in the Netherlands or Austria. But it always depends on what Corona allows.

How long have you had a trainer?

Weinmann: I contacted Theresa about three years ago. The sporting goal "Hawaii" also came up.

Why are you doing such a training load?

Weinmann: I'm not doing this to myself - I'm really looking forward to training every day.

How much do you miss the competitions?

Weinmann: Honestly, competitions are both a blessing and a curse for me. They are the salt in the soup for an athlete. However, before every competition I am so excited that I cannot sleep the night before. Everything is okay on the starting line, I'm calm there, but until then I shiver like a leaf.

How do you reconcile family, work and competitive sports?

Weinmann: I have a family, I have a job - and both have priority for me - but I don't do competitive sports. I see triathlon as a hobby. You need a certain discipline, then you can do it. There is no unity that I skip. Without my trainer's plan, it wouldn't work to the same extent. When I complete a running session, my wife often cycles with me. In the past few years, we have always associated participation in a major competition with a holiday.

What was your best competition so far?

Weinmann: That was the Ironman in Kalmar in Sweden (people swim in the Baltic Sea). I took part there in 2015. The landscape is unique. I knew “Michel from Lönneberga” and “Pipi Longstocking” - but in Kalmar I saw: There really is such a landscape. The people there are nice and authentic.

What comes to Hawaii from a sporting perspective?

Weinmann: I will no longer go long distance or at least only a few such competitions. The time required for this is immense. My wife can also have more of me (smiles). I will continue to participate in middle distance races. I also have other hobbies. At the moment an acoustic guitar is waiting to be built by me.

This is also interesting:

In the lederhosen for the title in Hawaii - Lukas Krämer from Peißenberg is triathlon world champion: the 30-year-old won the age group "30-34" in the competition on the Big Island.

Stefan Schmid is allowed to go to Hawaii - At 6 a.m. he received the redeeming message by email: Professional Stefan Schmid is qualified for the Triathlon World Cup in Hawaii.

Braked by your own body - The Ironman in Hawaii is always good for surprises. Lukas Krämer, who first competed at the World Cup as a professional, experienced a negative one and was slowed down by the body.

Schmid does it with brains - Stefan Schmid showed himself mentally strong after his job in Brazil at the Ironman in Nice. That was rewarded with a top place.

Krämer wins title again in Hawaii - He did it again: Lukas Krämer won his age group again at the Ironman World Championship after 2014. Professional Stefan Schmid turned 25.

Schmid and Krämer not only in Hawaii - the Ironman World Cup will soon take place in Hawaii. Two Peißenberg are among the contenders for top places in their classes.