2001 Ultraman World Championships
ColoradoTriathlete.com

November 24-26, 2001 (Kona, HI) – Guatemalan born Ultra-endurance athlete Monica Fernandez, has won her second consecutive Ultraman Triathlon World Championship title. This three-day event consists of a 6.2 mile open water swim, a 261 mile bike race, followed up with a 52.4 mile double marathon. Featuring athletes from eleven different countries, the Ultraman is greater than the distance of two IRONMAN race distances combined, it is considered one of the toughest races on Earth.
Winning "back to back" Ultraman World Titles over the last 2 years, Monica who trains with 6-time IRONMAN World Champion Dave Scott in Boulder, Colorado, credits her success in this grueling long-distance race to her consistent training, discipline and perseverance. In 2001 alone she trained over eleven thousand miles, the equivalent distance from Alaska to Tierra de Fuego, Argentina.
"The course was tougher this year, but I worked hard and built a lead that brought me to win the race." Monica, who carried the Guatemalan flag over the finish line will take some time off in her home country giving speeches and sharing her terrific story with school children and business leaders. "The Guatemalan people really identify with my efforts, and I look forward to inspiring others."
Her sponsors from Guatemala: Pollo Rey and Seguros Universales, and from The United States: Verlo Mattress and the Boulder Running Company helped with financial and moral support, while her crew, Ran Netzer and Kim McCormack took care of all her race needs throughout the race especially during the tough moments.