German Finn Große-Freese triumphs at the Ironman Austria 2025!

German Finn Große-Freese triumphs at the Ironman Austria 2025!

Klagenfurt, Österreich - On June 15, 2025, the Ironman Austria took place in Klagenfurt, in which around 3,000 athletes from around 70 countries fought for victory. The German Finn Große-Freese prevailed in an impressive time of 7 hours, 52 minutes and 55 seconds and secured first place. The Austrian Michael Weiss followed in second place. The event is not only an extraordinary experience for the athletes, but also for spectators and contributes significantly to strengthening Carinthia as a sports country and tourist destination.

Governor Peter Kaiser , who himself successfully participated in Ironman events five times, emphasized the importance of the event and thanked the numerous volunteers and helpers of the rescue and emergency organizations, which caused a safe course. The positive impact of such major sporting events on the local economy is undisputed because they draw additional attention to the region and promote tourism.

growth of triathlon sports

According to current reports from IRONMAN , the analysis of new participating data shows steady growth in triathlon. The increase in young athletes is particularly noteworthy: The number of participants under the age of 30 in the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 has increased by 39 % since 2019. This is an encouraging sign of the future of sport.

Furthermore, the female participation in Ironman events experiences an increase. In North America, female participation in long distances rose by 10% from 2024 to 2025. The proportion of women in the Ironman participants is globally 18%, while at the Ironman 70.3 events to increase to 26%. Despite these positive tendencies, the relationship between male and female athletes remains unbalanced in many countries.

initiatives for women in triathlon sports

Ironman plans to implement new programs and initiatives to promote the participation of women. This includes measures that aim at visibility, racing experiences and community support. A survey of more than 10,000 female endurance athletes showed that family obligations and the compatibility of training and everyday life represent frequent barriers. 56 % of the respondents stated that family requirements represent a significant hurdle, which underlines the need for supportive measures.

The event in Klagenfurt is not only an important event for the participants, but also a step towards a positive development of triathlon sports and promoting a more various participants. Further information about upcoming Ironman events and sporting activities in Carinthia can be found on the website of Visit Klagenfurt