Anne Haug dominates IRONMAN Copenhagen

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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 18: Anne Haug from Germany arrives at the finish line on first women place of the Ironman Copenhagen on August 18, 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
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Course record smashed in Denmark

Maja Stage Nielsen secures Kona start with third place in Copenhagen

There was definitely an air of ‘fast’ in Scandinavia over the weekend. While Boris Stein was smashing records in Kalmar on Saturday (HERE), Anne Haug was doing similar at IRONMAN Copenhagen.

While there was just one Kona Pro qualifying slot on offer in Copenhagen on Sunday, Germany’s Anne Haug – as a World Championship podium finisher in 2018 – only needed to validate for her return to Hawaii this year. No pressure? I suspect that pressure increased when she punctured towards the end of the bike leg…

Starting the day exiting the swim alongside home athlete Camilla Pedersen (who qualified at IRONMAN Wales last year), the day started smoothly enough for both, with almost a three and a half minute advantage over Maja Stage Nielsen (DEN).

It was Pedersen who initially lead the way on the bike, though the duo were rarely separated by more than 90 seconds over the opening 90km

By 100km Pedersen and Haug were in close order, remaining that way for the next 40km before the German extended her lead to just over two minutes with transition fast approaching.

Into the last 10km, and Haug then suffered a rear (disc) wheel puncture, and was going to have to take it very gently in the final stages to reach T2. She did just that, her lead reduced to little more than a minute, which Pedersen further slashed with a speedy transition, to start the marathon just 29 seconds apart.

Haug is perhaps the best runner in women’s long distance triathlon, and it was then no surprise to see that was the closest that Pedersen would get. More than nine minutes clear at the midpoint of the run, Haug finished with a 2:57:26 marathon an a record-breaking finish time of 8:31:32.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 18: Anne Haug of Germany competes in the run section of Ironman Copenhagen on August 18, 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN

With Haug validating her Kona slot and Pedersen already qualified, the slot was taken by a very happy Maja Stage Nielsen who finished in third, one place in front of Angela Naeth who has been through so much in recent weeks, to come up one place and less than five minutes away from that final slot.

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Pics by a computer at probably 3AM PST by my Momma from today’s race @kmdironmandenmark @ironmantri Copenhagan! :). Thanks Mom. // So many have reached out – Thank you for all the amazing support, and thoughtfulness. I had a rough go these past few months, and I’m happy to have given it another shot for a Kona slot. And quite happy to cross that finish line. // Two weeks ago I was standing in London airport crying, and in a crap load of pain and muscle spasm talking to my boyfriend telling him I need to go home. I’m so thankful he convinced me to head to Europe and try my best at whatever shot was left at Tallin and Copenhagen. He knows me too well. I’d rather try and fail, than sit on the sidelines. // Finishing today is definitely a proud result for me with the past few months of surgeries, crashes and pain, ha! It’s bittersweet with missing my chance to compete in Kona for 2019. I’m definitely very sad about that. – – it’s hard to put in words the feelings of sadness, happiness, gratefulness, and frustration all in one :). But, as I write this, I realize it’s the journey and truth be told, I’m so glad I kept pushing, and came here to race. 4th place and ready to roll onward! // Huge congrats to a well deserved slot to @majastage! And of course @vesterbytri simply amazed me today (hmm, maybe I need to have a baby, ha!). And crazy fast times by @tri.anne.haug – can’t wait to see what you do at Kona. @camilla_pedersen_tri one solid class act! Congrats ladies, and the rest of the women on that start line. // I am happy to say that my ribs were good, shoulder was still a little painful from the crash, but otherwise, I’m building back. – and yes, I’m already signed up and planning the next races in a few weeks. ;). We finally get to start this season with a healed up wrist, and body that’s slowly getting back into gear! // And just one last shoutout to @krisbeckendorf – thank you so much for all the support and help these last two weeks. I can’t wait to extend the hospitality in Boulder next year ;). Much ❤️!! // #grit #iracelikeagirl #girlsgetgritty

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A fast day for Age-Group athletes too

Plenty of speed from the amateurs too, with THIRTY FOUR Male AG athletes breaking the nine hour mark. Fastest overall was Philipp Herber (GER), who eight weeks after breaking his collar bone became the eighth (from eight) of the 2019 Specialized Zwift Academy athletes to secure their start in Hawaii. He finished in 8:19:14.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 18: An athlete reacts after finishing Ironman Copenhagen on August 18, 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Plenty of British Age-Group podium too, all summarised below.

IRONMAN Copenhagen, Denmark – Sunday 18th August 2019
3.8km / 180km / 42.2km

PRO WOMEN

1st – Anne Haug (GER) – 8:31:32
2nd – Camilla Pedersen (DEN) – 8:49:23
3rd – Maja Stage Nielsen (DEN) – 9:02:49
4th – Angela Naeth (CAN) – 9:07:28
5th – Michelle Vesterby (DEN) – 9:09:22
6th – Simona Krivankova (CZE) – 9:20:49
7th – Pleuni Hooijman (NED) – 9:21:44
8th – Melanie Baumann (SUI) – 9:35:14
9th – Alyssa Godesky (USA) – 9:43:08

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 18: (From L to R) Women second place Camilla Pedersen from Denmark, women first place Anne Haug from Germany and Maja Stage Nielsen from Denmark pose for a picture at the top three podium of the Ironman Copenhagen on August 18, 2019 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Great Britain Age-Group Podiums

  • Laura Fidler (F35-39) – 2nd – 9:50:52
  • Zoe Smith (F35-39) – 3rd – 9:56:38
  • Kerry Hickson (F40-44) – 3rd – 10:06:00
  • Anette Freyer (F50-54) – 2nd – 10:47:27
  • Mary Norman (F55-59) – 3rd – 12:15:12
  • Jocelyn Cheli (M25-29) – 3rd – 8:52:34
  • Jason Williams (M35-39) – 3rd – 8:39:15
  • Terrence Murphy (M70-74) – 2nd – 14:06:31

Nirvana Europe logo

Nirvana Europe is the Official Travel Partner to the European IRONMAN Tour. It has been providing athlete-friendly accommodation at IRONMAN events since 2005, as well as providing extra travel services to create stress-free experiences for both athletes and spectators.

There are incredible benefits of travelling with Nirvana to Kona this year, including transfers to and from the airport on the island, orientation tours of each leg of the race and a great house for events, product launches and workshops! Check out their full, customisable service offering here: https://www.nirvanaeurope.com/en/events/ironman/kona