Poznań will be the final stage of this year’s triathlon battles within the IRONMAN Poland series. Last year’s winner – Marlene de Boer – returns “home” eager to defend her title. At the same time, Robert Wilkowiecki is looking to rebuild his relationship with sport.
Robert Wilkowiecki will not be the favorite this time, even though his sports career includes a European Vice-Championship and a victory at Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań. Last year, in dramatic circumstances, it was discovered that he had a heart defect. During the swim leg of IRONMAN Frankfurt, he most likely fainted, and further tests revealed paroxysmal arrhythmia. “Wilku” underwent an ablation procedure and returned to racing. According to him, the event in Poznań is a perfect place for rebuilding – both thanks to its organization and unique atmosphere.
At this challenging point in my career, I see the race in Poznań as an opportunity to rebuild positive experiences and my relationship with sport. I believe this is essential for me to once again compete at my best level. I don’t feel fulfilled yet and I haven’t achieved my sporting goals. The problem is that I often expect a little too much from myself. So it’s not motivation that I lack, but rather the ability to learn when it’s worth easing off a bit.
Robert Wilkowiecki – IRONMAN European Vice-Champion
Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes
Another Polish representative, Tomasz Szala, is hungry for victory. For him, last year was like a rollercoaster. On one hand, he suffered an injury and lost a sponsor, but on the other, he took part in the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii. Still, he admitted on his social media that he has been struggling with a lack of motivation.
Dutch Offensive
The true star of the event will surely be Marlene de Boer, last year’s winner in Poznań. The Dutch triathlete ended last season by racing at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, where she finished 31st. Her results this year in IRONMAN events have been much stronger: she won in Westfriesland, placed 5th in Jönköping, and secured 2nd place at IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden. She returns to the capital of Greater Poland as the favorite.
Another favorite who will not go down without a fight is Diede Diederiks, a Dutch athlete who competes in Polish races every year. Diederiks claimed victory two years ago in Gdynia (and earlier in Warsaw and Poznań), while last year she finished 7th in Poznań. The 34-year-old is in excellent form. This season, she reached the podium at IRONMAN Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendee.
A Star-Studded Relay
The relay team “Culturally and Sportingly” also promises a star appearance, with Dagmara Rybak, an actress from the Poznań Musical Theatre, swimming the first leg. Dagmara is currently preparing intensively for the premiere of the musical “Cabaret,” scheduled for 6 September, but as she says, swim training is pure joy and a form of meditation for her.
Uwielbiam pływanie, więc w tej sztafecie po prostu idę na czuja, na spontanie. W czasach licealnych byłam pływaczka zawodową i ta miłość mi została. Pływam codziennie. Nie planuję startu w triathlonie samodzielnie, bo nie lubię współzawodnictwa, sport ma być przyjemnością. Ale jak wejdę do Jeziora Kierskiego, to nie odpuszczę. Moje motto: nie zachodź w głowę, tylko pal podkowę.
Dagmara Rybak – aktorka poznańskiego Teatru Muzycznego, uczestniczka sztafety podczas Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań
On the bike course of this relay, we will see Dariusz Łapawa – Deputy Director of the Sports Department at the Poznań City Hall. Darek is known as the best triathlete among city officials and a great fan of IRONMAN races. This year, he has already competed in Warsaw, Kraków, and Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic.
The final leg of the relay will feature Olympian and World Championships silver medalist in the 4×400 meter relay – Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz. Although her greatest achievements came in sprint distances, after ending her professional career she also took on long-distance running. She sees her start in the triathlon relay as an adventure, but promises to give her all on the run course.
I will try to run as much as my body and training level allow. I don’t feel the pressure to finish with a super time. For me, it’s meant to be fun. I’ve already completed a half marathon and some 10 km training runs, so I know I can do it.
Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz – Olympian, World Championships silver medalist in the 4×400 meter relay, relay participant at Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań
Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Poznań will take place on 7 September. The swim start at Lake Kierskie is scheduled for 9:30. Earlier, at 8:00, athletes competing in the Olympic distance – Enea 5150 Poznań – will begin their race.
