Rasmus Henning Qualifies For Kona 2011

Henning earns enough points to qualify for the 2011 Ironman World Championships with second place finishes at Ironman 70.3 California and Ironman 70.3 Texas.

Henning’s main goal this year is again Ironman Hawaii this October. After participating with a broken hand in 2009 and ending up fifth, Rasmus, made it to the starting line for the second time in Kona in 2010 but ended up 24th last year. Now he will be among the participants for the third time in 2011 as well.

“It’s really great to being able to look forward to the world’s most prestigious Ironman again. I was very pleased with my results in California and Texas,” said Henning.

Henning’s partners at ECCO are eager for his appearance in Hawaii this year. “Rasmus is now coming back stronger and better,” said Matthias Schwarte, Global Sponsorships & Events Manager, ECCO. “We congratulate Rasmus and look forward to continuous collaboration with him.”

Recap of Texas Ironman

Two second place finishes in a week in highly competitive fields makes Rasmus Henning’s race week a good one after he placed second in Ironman 70.3 Texas after American Chris Lieto.

With Chris Lieto smashing to a 2:02 bike split it was all about running the überbiker down, but when Lieto has a good running day, Rasmus Henning is happy with 2nd. The two podium finishes in 70.3 California and Texas give Henning enough points to make him a certain starter at Ironman Hawaii October 8.

“I had an optimal race today and felt good out there. There was nothing I could do about Lieto today. I expected him to make a break on the bike, and I had to fight to hold on in the chase group. It was tough today but I hung in there on the bike and had a solid run being comfortably in second position after catching Bozzone. O’Donnell had a great run too but was never near me at the end,” Rasmus Henning says.

“I felt as good today as last Saturday and I’m really satisfied with my solid performances in these very competitive races. Even though I had some good races I know that I’m still not on a 100 percent Rasmus Henning level but I got the points I needed for Hawaii, so I’m really pleased,” the Dane says.

Top-3
1. Chris Lieto, USA – 3:45:37
2. Rasmus Henning, DK – 3:46:47 (swim 22:20, bike 2:07:12 and run 1:14:48)
3. Tim O’Donnell, USA – 3:48:16

See full results here.

To see the image gallery from the Texas 70.3 click here.

Recap of California Ironman

Rasmus Henning finished 2nd after Andy Potts in a very close race at the Ironman 70.3 California today. Rasmus had an excellent swim where he exited the water in third position – almost 2 minutes down on swim favorite Andy Potts. It put the Danish athlete in a good spot before the 90 km bike in a chasing pack forming after Potts with the likes of Reed, Leto and Ambrose.

A good 90 bike ride saw a bunch heading out on the run together. Rasmus Henning went out on 21,1 km run after Michael Weiss, Matt Lieto, Andy Potts and Maxim Kriat and had a good and stable run. He was shoulder to shoulder with Andy Potts coming into the last few kilometres where Potts managed to pull away for the win with a closing and impressive 1:12:17 run. Rasmus finished 2nd just 18 seconds down with Michael Weiss in 3rd – 22 seconds after Rasmus.

“It was a great race, almost ITU-like today. I had a good swim and felt good on the bike, and when we exited T2 5 guys together I felt good and thought I was going to win. Potts had a rough day alone in front almost all day and he took home a deserved win today. I felt I was cruising on the first lap on the run even though the pace was pretty hard. I took the front with Potts and was wondering when to try to pull away. On the last km I started to feel the efforts of the day and as I tried to pull away Potts counter attacked and I couldn’t respond. He was the strongest today and took a deserved win after being alone in front most of the day. I performed well on both a physical, mental and tactical way and I’m really satisfied with my result here, cause Potts is among the very best in the World at this distance. Now I’m hoping for a good week of recovery before I’m at it again next Sunday in Texas in what I expect to be a race of this standard again,” Rasmus Henning says. He earned enough points today to make him almost a certain starter at the Ironman World Championships in Kona this October.

Top-3:
1. Andy Potts (USA) 3:55:49
2. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 3:56:07 (1,9 km swim in 24:20, 90 km bike in 2:15:41 and 21,1 km run in 1:12:37)
3. Michael Weiss (AUT) 3:56:29

See full results here – Rasmus has bib number 3.

To see the image gallery from the Oceanside 70.3 click here.

Facts

Rasmus Henning is Danish and was born in 1975

2008 No 8, Olympics Beijing
2008 Winner, World Cup Des Moines (On Olympic Distance)
2009 Winner, Ironman China
2009 Winner ITU European Championships
2010 Winner, Challenge Roth, Germany
2010 No.2, Ironman, Arizona
2011 No. 2, Ironman 70.3, California
2011 No. 2, Ironman 70.3, Texas

For more information about Rasmus Henning, visit rasmushenning.com