(openPR) - Langkawi , Malaysia -- February 12, 2007 -- German triathlete and Ironman Kjell Schioeberg from the city of Hamburg, also known as THE IRONHAMBURGER started his professional Ironman career in 2007.

After his extraordinary race result as IRONMAN amateur and age grouper last year in Malaysia, where he finished the race in 9hours 51minutes (9th overall/1st amateur), Kjell's first professional race will be the Ironman Malaysia Triathlon 2007 which takes place at the February 24, 2007 in Langkawi, a popular island resort destination in Malaysia.

The Ironman Malaysia is feared as the "Toughest Race on Earth" and with 700 participants this year, it is not the easiest race Kjell chose for his pro debut. The Malaysia race is tough not because of the course, which consists of a very warm swim, a rolling bike and a relatively flat run course. It's tough because especially during the run the temperatures can reach 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

For the Ironhamburger this will be an advantage as he loves "Hot Runs". After a five week training on Langkawi island, Kjell is in good shape. Still, his target to cross the finish line as one of the two front runners will be a major challenge. Kjell has to beat some great names in the IRONMAN circus as there are Bryan Rhodes (AUS), Lothar Leder (GER), Petr Vabrousek (CZE), Oyvind (Vinnie) Johannessen (NOR), Mitch Dean (AUS), Stephen Bayliss (GBR), Makoto Imaeda (JPN), Byung Hoon Park (KOR), Bevan Leach (AUS), Arnout Volckaert (BEL), TJ Tollakson (USA), Brian Fuller (AUS).

The IronHamburger Kjell Schioeberg is confident for this coming race and a top result will also help to find appropriate sponsors to support him climbing up the career ladder in the IRONMAN PRO arena with a win-win contract.

Kjell Schioeberg
Professional Triathlet & Ironman
Nationality: German
Base Hamburg, Germany

Emmes Bayer
P.O. Box 190
07000 Langkawi
Malaysia
Phone: +60 125705944
www.emmes.net/ironhamburger
pr_kjell_schioeberg@emmes.net