Normann Stadler is a crowd favorite because he keeps the racing
(and the triathlon gossip) interesting.
Photo courtesy Normann Stadler and Commerzbank
It's always an interesting to watch when Normann Stadler is racing Ironman. When he’s on, he’s on fire; and when he has a bad day, it’s still spectacular. In 2005, while trying to defend his first Ironman title, Stadler had technical difficulties while changing his second flat tire of the day and his composure crumbled. Whether deserved or not, he gained the reputation for being a hothead when he screamed in rage and threw his bike over a guardrail in front of the NBC cameras. (When Stadler's rival, Chris McCormack suffered a similar disappointment in 2008, Macca slunk out of the race with little to-do. Who wants to watch that?)
Stadler entered the 2006 race with a huge chip on his shoulder after enduring criticism for his roadside melt-down for fifty-two weeks. He swam better than ever before, and then stunned the field by setting a new bike course record in 4:18:23, over seven minutes faster than the second fastest bike time put up by Chris Lieto. Stadler continued his race by doing something that everyone said that he couldn't do: run fast. When the Normannator crossed the finish line this time, he raised a battle cry of triumph and threw his ceremonial head wreath on the ground as if to say, "Take that!" Oops! Big mistake! Stadler had had the race of his life, and had every right to be excited, but this time Stadler went home with the reputation for being disrespectful to Hawaiian traditions, and critics continued to shake their heads.
Since his magnificent performance in 2006, Stadler has been plagued by bad luck. In 2007, he had to drop out of the race once more due to stomach issues. The NBC cameras caught him at his worst again, this time yacking all over himself and his bike. Pundits continued to criticize Stadler of never finishing a race when things aren't going his way, but in 2008 he proved himself a class act. When the heat and exertion caused Normann to suffer severe leg cramps in the latter stages of the run, he watched several competitors run by as he walked the rest of the way to the finish line. It was stirring to watch him under the finishing arch in 12th place, celebrating the private victory of finally overcoming adversity to finish the race on a bad day.
Those who are superstitious may speculate that Normann's bad luck in recent years has been his punishment for disrespecting The Island in 2006. Whether his luck has been tied up with traditional Hawaiian deities, or with an attitude problem, Stadler has proven that he respects the race and the distance enough to finish in severe pain. We hope that this is enough for his luck to turn again in 2009. Characters like Stadler, who give us heart-breaking defeats and victories that make your spirit soar, are great for Ironman's popularity. Personalities like Stadler's, who will never lose–or win–without a fight make the race exciting for those of us playing at home.
Normann Stadler's Statistics
Nationality: German
Age: 36
Career highlights:
- Two-time Ironman World Champion in 2004 and 2006
- Bike course record in 2006
- 1st Place Moenchshof Triathlon, German Championships Middle Distance, Kulmbach 2008
- 1st Place Ironman Germany, Frankfurt 2005
- 1st Place Ironman Australia 2001 & 2001
What he rides: Scott Plasma 2
Team: Commerzbank
Sponsors: Scott, Carmichael Training Systems, Zipp, Blue Seventy, SRM, Profile Design, SRAM, Quionic, Radsport Wagner, Oakley, CEP
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