Frodeno, Ryf Dominate at Ironman European Champs

Germany’s Jan Frodeno and Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf each solidified their spots as top contenders for the upcoming Ironman World Championships (set for Oct. 13 in Kona) by dominating today’s Ironman European Championships in Frankfurt, Germany.

Frodeno, a two-time Ironman world champion, was second out of the swim (46:53 split), second off of the bike (4:28:36 split), and then used an amazing 2:39:06 marathon to run his way to the dominant win. He crossed the finish line at 8:00:58, seven minutes ahead of Sweden’s Patrik Nilsson (8:08:15), and eight minutes ahead of defending Ironman world champion Patrick Lange of Germany (8:09:26).

Ryf, who will be going after her fourth-straight Ironman World Championship title in October, came out of the water two seconds behind American Sarah True, and then went on to lead the rest of the race by a hefty margin. Her race was made up of a 53:11 swim, a 4:40:55 bike, and a 2:58:53 marathon, putting her across the finish line in a new course record time of 8:38:44. True was impressive in her Ironman debut, finishing second at about 26 minutes behind Ryf (9:05:19). Last year’s Ironman European champion Sarah Crowley (AUS) rounded out the podium in 9:11:31.

2018 Ironman European Championships
Frankfurt, Germany – July 8, 2018
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run

Men

1. Jan Frodeno (GER) 8:00:58
2. Patrik Nilsson (SWE) 8:08:15
3. Patrick Lange (GER) 8:09:26
4. Nicholas Kastelein (AUS) 8:18:45
5. Josh Amberger (AUS) 8:26:16

Women

1. Daniela Ryf (SUI) 8:38:44
2. Sarah True (USA) 9:05:19
3. Sarah Crowley (AUS) 9:11:31
4. Anne Haug (GER) 9:14:06
5. Katja Konschak (GER) 9:36:11