October, 11, 2014, IRONMAN world championships, Kona, Hawaii
For 11 years we come to the Big Island to tell our story of this race and the athletes who align with BIESTMILCH. In the very beginning when we did our first steps into the endurance sport of triathlon, Lothar and Nicole Leder were our protagonists, our appearance was tiny, but we were visible »under the radar« already in 2002. The following years were a process of growing together with super star of the sport: Chris McCormack. Many years he has been our front figure and amazing role model living the BIESTMILCH spirit.
Over the years our video abilities became more and more refined, our stories about the athletes more and more consistent. The fast development of the social media platforms gave us the possibilities to broadcast our stories. But time flies and after so many years of being here on the Big Island we thought it is time to change perspective and approach the race in another way instead of just being at the Pier for the swim start, on Palani Road, some meters on to the Queen K. Highway and then to the finish line, most of the time spending waiting. As we are not a news agency and TV stations our path to tell the story of this race must differ. For 8 years BIESTMILCH and myself are now collaborating with Sebastian Kienle.
For me it was already quite obvious during the last 3 years that he is the prince of the sport and successor of the big „old“ guys like Chris. Coming here this year we knew that we had to be close to his heels may he be after all the next “King of Kona“. My thoughts are history today. Sebastian Kienle won the IRONMAN world championships 2014.
How did we, the BIESTMILCH crew on the island, experience this day
Our ambition was it this time to cover all the turnarounds and catch Sebastian as good as possible. The toughest and most risky part of the day was Kjell’s: the swim turnaround. The Pacific was rough, the swells high, the undercurrents strong. Kjell took the risk and he succeeded to get there. But the return was hard, the only chance was to surf in with his body on a swell. Thank you Kjell, this was outstanding!
Then we were walking up to the Kuakini Highway to the bike turnaround. Herwig was there in position already while we walked up the street from the little Honl’s beach. This walk was easy. Arriving there the three of us jumped in the car to drive to Hawi, turnaround of the bike after 90k. This was a close race against time. We made it and shot Sebastian turning around in first position.
After round about 30 minutes in Hawi we hurried back to Kailua-Kona.
I left the boys at the new Kealakehe Parkway, jumped on my mountain bike to reach the Energy Lab passing through Honokahou Marina and the Kaloko Nature Reserve, yet another challenge for my athletic abilities.
No need to say more, I arrived at the Energy Lab in time while Kjell and Herwig picked up their bikes downtown at Carl Koomoa (our big supporter) and hastened to the church turnaround on Ali’i Drive. They missed Sebi by hair’s breadth only, but were at finish line in time and in good position.
Overall we got good footage and have been happy with our day. Why there is a strong drop of bitterness in our stay after yesterday and why it’s difficult to keep away the depressive mood the photos are going to tell.
Many thanks once and again for all your dedication Herwig Steiner and Kjell Schiöberg!
great perspective !