Air quality | The Mont-Tremblant Ironman is canceled

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 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 the air quality would improve during the day.

Ironman Group Regional Manager Dave Christen was downcast when he met The Presswhile all the athletes got their bikes back 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 forest fires, 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 had 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 paths 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. »

Miscellaneous reactions

” I can not believe ! “, “See you at another race! “, ” I am angry ! »…

The reactions were diverse 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 Marc Trudeau, 63-year-old triathlete. 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, animator 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 that people applauded when we made the first announcement. That tells me how much people realize what is happening, ”he suggests, moved by what he witnessed a little earlier.

Chantal Gagnon was about 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 bit sad. It hurts to have done all that. I’ll make another one, that’s for sure. »