Windy conditions turn Ironman Melbourne swim to two laps
MELBOURNE, Australia (March 23, 2013) “Organisers of tomorrow’s URBAN Hotel Group IRONMAN ® Asia Pacific Championship Melbourne have changed the swim to two laps to protect against forecasted strong winds.
The swim venue off Frankston, on the Mornington Peninsula, has experienced choppy conditions as the bay is exposed to the strong north-northwest winds that have blown this week.
With forecasted winds of 20 knots plus, the organisers have changed the initial one-lap swim to two laps.
“Athlete safety is our number one priority and while we are confident the conditions will enable a safe swim, it was the prudent decision to change to a two-lap swim,” said Chief Operations Manager, David Ray.
The two-lap 3.8km swim is now a triangular course starting south of the pier at Frankston, approximately 60m off shore in waist deep water.
The professional men will start at 7.32am, the professional women at 7.35am and age group athletes at 7.40am.
