Coroner: Texas Man, 46, Died in Calif. Triathlon Authorities on Monday identified the man who died at the start of the swim portion of a California triathlon as a 46-year-old lawyer from Austin, Texas. The San Francisco Medical Examiner's office said it was investigating the cause of Ross Ehlinger's death on Sunday morning at the start of the world renowned "Escape from Alcatraz" triathlon. Race organizers speculated he died of a heart attack immediately after jumping into the 51-degree waters of the San Francisco Bay. "We have reason to believe the gentleman suffered from a massive cardiac event as he entered the water and began the swim," race director Bill Burke said in a statement Sunday. Burke didn't return calls Monday. Several media outlets reported other swimmers had to be plucked from the San Francisco Bay during the 1.5 mile swim. The swimmers battled colder and rougher waters than in previous races, which are usually held in June when water temperatures range between 54 degrees and 60 degrees. This year's triathlon date was changed to accommodate the America's Cup yachting races in the bay this summer. It attracted 2,000 participants from around the world. "I have always wanted to come to San Francisco to race in this infamous triathlon," said Javier Gomez, the triathlon's winner. The course was tough with cold water, strong currents and a great field of competitors. The sport's governing body released a report last year studying triathlon deaths between 2003 and 2011 covering 23,000 sanctioned events and three million participants. It found 45 deaths in those events, 30 of which came during the swim portion. Researchers believe all the swimming fatalities were the result of "sudden cardiac death."