Race Results 1978-2009 - Triathlon.de

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Ironman Television
Bringing The Ironman Story To The World
The Ironman Triathlon first gained mainstream media attention in 1979 when an article about the event
appeared in Sports Illustrated. The story caught the eye of an ABC Sports producer, and in 1980, Ironman became a
regular feature on “Wide World of Sports.”
However, Ironman’s crowning moment came in 1982 when ABC’s cameras captured a scene that would
be etched in the minds of millions for years to come. The scene that would come to embody the spirit of Ironman
showed a young college student named Julie Moss, physically and mentally spent, drawing on only heart and
fortitude to crawl across the finish line. Those images of courage and determination launched Ironman into an
international sensation and have kept television viewers riveted to their sets ever since.
For more than two decades, the drama of the Ironman Triathlon has captured the attention of millions
around the world. Its compelling stories of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary move and inspire
television viewers of all ages.
Coverage of the Ironman event has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Ironman went from
receiving only a portion of the coverage on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” directly to center stage when World
Triathlon Corporation (WTC) took control of the broadcast in 1991 and made it a stand-alone program. With this
change, WTC now controlled content and production, and Ironman Triathlon found a new home at NBC with
WTC taking an active role in the show’s production and development. In 2003, Ironman enjoyed its first-ever
prime time airing with a two-hour show aired in a split format.
Each year, a crew of approximately 40 people cover the 140.6-mile course in spite of logistical and communication
challenges. While there is much planning involved, how the race will unfold is never guaranteed. Favorites
can drop out early or never become a factor, unknowns can surface and age group athletes may not keep their
pace. For the television crew, it’s a long, grueling day that lasts from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m., when everyone finally calls it
a day.
The 2010 broadcast will air on NBC on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 4 - 6 p.m.
2010 Ford Ironman World Championship
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