Chris McCormack and the Roth legacy
In 2006, Chris McCormack solidified his status as one of the greatest triathletes of the era by securing his third consecutive victory at the Quelle Challenge Roth. Finishing the race in 8:00:52, he overcame a mechanical failure during the marathon at kilometer 110 and a dramatic late-race attack at marathon mile 25. "Da habe ich fünf Minuten lang die Augen zugemacht und alles gegeben, was ich hatte," he later said, describing the moment he powered through the final stretch. McCormack was not shy about declaring his dominance. He told the Triathlon (DE) audience, 'Ohne arrogant klingen zu wollen, aber ich halte mich für den derzeit besten Triathleten der Welt. In the same race, Faris Al-Sultan took second place and the German title, but he struggled with the size of the field. He admitted, 'Hätte ich wegen Maccas Pannenpech gewonnen, hätte das nicht den gleichen Wert,' showing his integrity in a tightly contested race.
Debütantin and the surprise at Roth
The women’s race at Roth in 2006 brought a surprise when Debütantin Joanna Lawn, a relative unknown, broke a long-standing tradition by defeating her mentor, Belinda Granger. Lawn made waves not just with her performance but also with her decision to remove her cycling shorts after the first eight kilometers, claiming it was holding her back. She later said, 'Als sie sich nach acht Kilometern endlich ihrer überflüssigen Radhose entledigt hatte,' which immediately improved her speed. This detail, though seemingly minor, would have made most modern cycling efficiency debates look dated. Lawn’s underdog victory was a standout moment for the issue and showcased the unpredictable nature of triathlon competition.
Stefan Riesen and the Ironman Switzerland
At the Ironman Switzerland in 2006, Stefan Riesen pulled off a remarkable upset. The mason by trade—working half the day as a professional builder—won the race in 8:16:50 and defended his unusual schedule with humor. 'Würde ich nur mit dem Kopf arbeiten, wäre ich abends bestimmt todmüde,' he quipped, acknowledging the physicality of his profession. He joked about his role, 'So anstrengend wie ein Ironman ist mein Job sicherlich nicht,' highlighting the absurdity and fun of the event’s cultural side.
Among the top five athletes at the 2006 Ironman Switzerland was a young Swiss competitor named Ronnie Schildknecht, who would go on to dominate the race in the years that followed. His early success signaled the start of a future dynasty in the event. The Triathlon (DE) also noted the presence of rising stars in the junior results. Future legend Daniela Ryf and Alistair Brownlee—both teenagers at the time—appeared in the rankings, a glimpse of what was to come for the sport.
The 2006 issue also spotlighted another key figure in triathlon history: Michael Göhner. The 26-year-old from Reutlingen was featured as a rising star, having taken down established pros like Faris Al-Sultan, Lothar Leder, and Jan Sibbersen. Göhner had a clear vision. 'Ich trainiere nicht wie ein Verrückter, um zwanzigster zu werden,' he said, showing the confidence and determination that would later mark his career. His performance in 2006 was a prelude to his continued influence in the sport, as he began making a name for himself in major competitions.
Roth, football, and the summer of 2006
The triathlon 48 issue, published in the summer of 2006, couldn’t escape the football fever sweeping through Germany. The editorial team playfully mocked the 'das Runde muss in das Eckige' trend, referencing the then-popular obsession with adapting to the German national team’s style. The writers even asked, 'Warum gab es in Roth eigentlich keine bayerischen Würfelflaggen zu kaufen?,' highlighting the absurdity of the cultural shift. While the football theme overshadowed the triathlon, the issue used it as a metaphor for the sport’s need to build on youth talent. The editorial concluded with a joke, 'Ohne Fußball. Versprochen!' as the promise of a strong second half of the season approached.
The issue also chronicled a fascinating collision of events. The pastaparty in Roth, hosted by Charly Krestel, had to contend with the timing of the World Cup quarterfinal between Germany and Argentina. Krestel, who once fed German Chancellor Kohl and French President Chirac, was under pressure: 'Wenn wir nicht in der ersten halben Stunde 80 Prozent der Pasta rausbekommen, sind die Nudeln kalt,' he said, stressing the timing challenges. Rookie journalist Joachim Schulze analyzed the situation, noting, 'Wir können noch einen reinmachen, die werden unkonzentriert.' Germany eventually advanced to the semifinals, and the pasta was delivered successfully, proving that Plan B had worked.
'Endlich mal wieder ein gutes Meisterschaftsrennen,' the Triathlon (DE) noted, highlighting Dittmer’s performance. For the German men, however, the race turned into a disaster. The best result for DTU came from Maik Petzold at 14th, while Jan Frodeno, in a bizarre twist, was 37th. He admitted, 'Ein Fahrfehler führte ihn ausgerechnet auf einen Friedhof,' a surreal moment that the magazine described as too absurd for any scriptwriter. DTU president Dr. Klaus Müller-Ott was uncharacteristically angry. 'Ich bin maßlos enttäuscht... die Analyse muss Konsequenzen haben!' he said, emphasizing the need for accountability and improvement.
Despite the poor results, the issue was filled with foreshadowing. The junior results listed a teenage Alistair Brownlee in third and an eighth-place finish for Daniela Ryf. The magazine captured the future of the sport, with these names quietly hidden in the Kleingedruckten. The 2006 Triathlon (DE) issue, like many of the era’s retrospectives, blended humor, insight, and a bit of foresight. It showed the excitement of the time, the quirks of the sport, and the seeds of legends that would grow in the years to come.
