Not only the reigning double world champion of this distance will be happy. For Sebastian Kienle as well as for all other European starters, the journey to the title fights in 2015 will be relatively short. As the Ironman organizers announced, Zell am See will be the venue for the middle-distance world championships for the first time. The Austrian triathlon mecca is celebrating a double premiere, after all, an Ironman 70.3 World Championship has never been held outside of North America.
There were a total of five applicants for the event, including Nice. However, Zell am See seems to have collected the most points with its overall concept in terms of awarding. While no exact date has yet been announced for the World Championships, the starters can already look forward to the dress rehearsal. This will take place on a completely new route on August 31, 2014.