Forum v Ironman Austria

Shipmates: The Pirates arrive in force

Many people see the Ironman triathlon as the ultimate one-day endurance event. A 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, finished off with a full marathon – all raced consecutively over (at most) 17 gruelling hours.

The Pirates is a beginner friendly team, and there is always a high proportion of novice triathletes among the crew. However this race saw an unusually high number of returning Ironman, coming back for their second, third or – in one case – eighth crack at the distance. Still, despite this new wealth of experience in the team, almost half of the Pirates present were first-timers who could barely swim front crawl or handle a road racing bike a year ago.

For all the Pirates, the race represented many different things. A chance to meet old friends and make new ones. For some, an opportunity for a PB or to smash a time target. For others, a chance to pit themselves against an almost unimaginable challenge to see what they were made of. The race would provide all of these things, and more!

Talking tactics: Debbo and Firestar

Race morning saw the Pirates up at 4am to eat a huge breakfast – if their nervous stomachs allowed it. Then down to the lake, to make last-minute preparations, say goodbye to friends and loved ones, and into the water for the race start cannon at 7am.

A mass start Ironman can be a tough test for even the strongest swimmers. Over 2,000 thrashing athletes clawing and jostling for position, combined with murky open water and race-day nerves, can often lead to a vicious circle of stress, panic and hyperventilation. The Pirates weren’t immune.

"I nearly quit in the first five minutes!" said Debbo, who first became an Ironman when the Pirates visited IM Germany in 2006. "I had to stop and give myself a few slaps to calm myself down."

Only a few hundred meters to go... then a 112-mile bike ride... and then a marathon

"It was amazing" said Firestar. "Seeing the crowd so close was very emotional."

Out of the swim, into the transition area, a quick change, find your bike and out for the second leg of the race. Well, that’s the idea, anyway.

"Rubbish!" laughed C1 POL. "I couldn’t get my wetsuit off, I was all over the place. Ten minutes in transition. Rubbish!"

Finally out on the bike, the tough undulating course and hot, humid conditions began to take their toll. The main Pirate support crew had positioned itself about a mile from transition, to whip up a storm of noise for all competitors (even Fritz and Helmut who had disc wheels and didn’t waste any energy smiling!). After this emotional lift, the hills began.

"It was almost as hard as Lanza!" claimed Bouncing Barlist. He was referring to Ironman Lanzarote – the toughest Ironman course in the world – which he had completed with a small group of Pirates two months earlier.

At the front of the Pirate contingent, battle for the coveted forum Ironman trophies was fierce. In the men’s race, Iron Mike built on his lead out of the swim by gaining time on Mr M, closely followed by outstanding newcomer CRAB. The women’s race was closer, with Mellifera, Iron Lindi and Petal all jostling for position. Towards the back of the field, as always, the race became an individual struggle for survival.

The hills got steeper, the sun got hotter, the faces got grimmer and the cut-off at 5:30pm loomed ever closer. The pirates dug in and kept pedalling.

Lindi shows off her cycling skills

"I guess it was a combination of heat, dehydration and no salt intake" he shrugged, "but I knew I was in trouble." He dug in for a long walk to the finish, still with a PB that many people could only dream of, of 11:18.

Fat Buddha in full flight on the bike course

"Encouragement was always passed on," explained Foggy. "Sometimes with a grunt or a grimace from those suffering, but often with a cheery wave or a high five. A real flotilla of pirates formed, helping each other on."

Pirates began to finish, first a trickle, led by Mr M, then a flood, and finally a trickle as some of the team insisted on taking it right to the wire.

Pure joy: Pebble and family at the finish

But the Pirates is not just about racing, the social side is just as important. The post-race party was as memorable as ever, highlighted by GOM successfully proposing to his (now) fiancée. The all-important Pirate trophies became something of a family affair, with Fastest Man, Fastest Woman and Best Improver all going to Mellifera and Mr M.

Pirate love: G-Spot and Hamster (left) congratulate each other

Have you got what it takes? The next Pirate summer outing is already being planned, a trip to the French Riviera for Ironman France Nice in June 2008.