For the first time in its 33-year history, a participant in the world renowned “Escape from Alcatraz” died during the event.
That Ross Ehlinger, 46, died on Sunday during the swim portion of the event held in the frigid San Francisco Bay amid 1.8-metre swells and a powerful outgoing tide raised questions about what effect the tough conditions had on his death. This year’s event was held on Sunday rather than in June to accommodate the America’s Cup sailing race.
The answer appears to be that the father of three from Austin, Texas, may have had an underlying health problem exposed in an especially grueling triathlon.
The San Francisco medical examiner is still investigating the cause of death.
But race organisers and a heart surgeon that participated in the race speculated that the attorney succumbed to an underlying health problem rather than being a victim of the conditions or drowning. Ehlinger was wearing a wetsuit.
“I bet the man had a health problem,” said Dr. Lawrence Creswell, a University of Mississippi researcher who has participated in several “Escape” triathlons. “I would bet that there’s a heart problem and not a drowning problem.”
