(Mont-Tremblant) The Mont-Tremblant Ironman 70.3 was canceled due to poor air quality on Sunday morning, just under an hour before the start was given.
The athletes were beginning to arrive on the beach to prepare for the 1.9 km swim at around 6:15 a.m. when the announcer called everyone back to the transition area for an “important announcement”. The event was cancelled.
The decision was made in collaboration with provincial health authorities, “due to the ash alert and high concentrations of fine particles resulting in a poor air quality index in the Tremblant area,” said namely the Ironman Group. The forecast did not indicate that conditions would improve during the day.
Ironman Group regional manager Dave Christen looked downcast when he met La Presse, as all the athletes picked up their bikes and shared their emotions.
“It’s incredibly disappointing for our team to make decisions like this. But to be honest, it was a really easy decision,” he says.
The cloud of smoke and the smell that wafted through the air in the wee hours hinted that such a decision would be made. According to Mr. Christen, the organizers started monitoring the air quality a few days ago, when the air and the wind began to “change”.
“With the smoke from wildfires, we wait until the end because the wind can change and the environment can change very quickly,” he explains. We wanted to see if anything would happen overnight, but it started to progress really drastically and got significantly worse this morning. »
Mr. Christen said he understood the disappointment of the athletes, who invested “time, money, energy in their preparation”. “It’s out of our control, but it’s very frustrating for the athletes, I’m sure. Many of them have unique life journeys to the starting line. Their hearts are broken that they are not given the opportunity to have their day. It’s a tough day, but an easy decision. »
” I can not believe ! “See you at another race!” “, ” I am angry ! »…
Reactions were mixed among the 3,200 athletes who were busy recovering their bikes and reuniting with their loved ones in order to return home.
“You have to believe that climate change is real,” says 63-year-old triathlete Marc Trudeau. It’s something, huh. It’s frustrating, but you have to accept it. It’s out of my control, I can’t do anything. »
Jacques Galarneau, host for the Ironman de Mont-Tremblant for nine years, was present when the first athletes were notified of the cancellation of the race.
“I see the disappointment in the athletes, but at the same time the major reaction that there was was people cheering when we made the first announcement. That tells me how much people realize what’s going on,” he says, moved by what he witnessed earlier.
For her part, Chantal Gagnon was preparing to take part in her second half-Ironman. This is the second time she has faced cancellation. The first time was due to the pandemic. The 53-year-old said she was disappointed, but understood the situation.
“We feel that the air is difficult. I told myself that if I did another one, I wouldn’t do it at Tremblant to discover elsewhere, in another city. Surely Ironman will tell us that we can move our registration. »
Todd Marcellus was motionless with his bike, about fifteen minutes after the cancellation. The 50-year-old was all set for his first Ironman 70.3.
“I’m disappointed, that’s for sure. It’s five months of preparation and it ends just like that… But it’s the quality of the air. It’s the right decision, it’s just a little sad. It hurts to have done all that. I’ll make another one, that’s for sure. »
Anne-Marie Dubois and Pascale Caouette, two 49-year-old friends who met through sport in 2015, were smiling despite everything.
“Last night I had my doubts,” said Ms. Dubois, whose last of five half-Ironmans it was. This morning, I was thinking… When they canceled, security issue, I thought it was normal. They did not have a choice. We are disappointed, enormously, but I think it was the choice to make. »
As for Ms. Caouette, she was delighted to have at least been able to do the 5150 Triathlon the day before. “I’m privileged,” she hinted.
According to the live ranking of air quality in the main cities of the world, Montreal had the worst air quality index on Sunday morning. It stood at 195, compared to 164 in second-place São Paulo.
