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Crunch Time in Cairns as Stars Fight for Pro Series Survival
Pro Series panic, swim breathing success, and a summer fueling guide
Matthew Sharpe
June 13, 2025
TOGETHER WITH QAVAH DESIGNS
Good morning everyone,
And just like that, its another race week!
After a humbling outing last month in St. George, I’m looking forward to some redemption here at 70.3 Boulder. And I do love it when I can wake up race morning in my own bed! 💯
And of course, I’m stoked to see as many subscribers as I can on the ground!
In today’s edition:
🥊 Stars fight for Pro Series survival in Cairns!
🏊♀️ How to achieve swim-breath success.
🧊 And how to nail your summer fueling!
-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor
Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free.
ONE BIG THING
Crunch Time in Cairns as Stars Fight for Pro Series Survival
What is it: This weekend the IRONMAN Pro Series heads back down under for the full-distance IRONMAN Cairns.
And for the athletes who’ve struggled early this year, Cairns is one of the last attempts to claw back Pro Series points and World Championship qualification.
Women’s race: Jackie Hering (USA), second in last year’s IM Pro Series, heads to Cairns desperate for a full-distance result after an unfortunate DNF in Hamburg.
A win in Cairns could see her series ambitions awakened. Another DNF? And its au revoir to another Pro Series podium!
Hannah Berry (NZ) is the defending champion in this race and she comes into it with very strong results at T100 Singapore (4th) and 70.3 Geelong (2nd). A second win in Cairns could put her in the conversation for another hot and humid IRONMAN - Kona!
Lotte Wilms (NED), third overall in last year’s Pro Series has had a tough start to her season after dealing with shingles. Can she set her pro series ambitions back on track in Cairns?
Kylie Simpson (AUS), Becca Clarke (NZ), and Regan Hollioake (AUS) both have plenty of wins in OZ and could play spoiler if the favorites are off their game!
And we’ll be watching the debut of Charlotte McShane (AUS) as she transitions from a long and succesful short course career!
Men’s race: Braden Currie (NZ), Matthew Marquardt (USA), and Matt Hanson (USA) have all had frustrating starts to their seasons - with none having meaningful full distance results to their name.
It’ll be win or bust for these boys if they hope to have a chance at a Pro Series podium!
But plenty of athletes will hope to push them aside. Former champion Josh Amberger (AUS) and South African sensation Jamie Riddle will attack the race in the swim and could work together to create an unbeatable gap on the field.
And Nick Thompson (AUS) finished in a strong seventh at IM Texas. Could a full distance win be in his future?
How to watch: The race kicks off at 7:40AM local time (06/14), 5:40PM EST (06/13), and 10:40PM GMT (06/13).
Watch live and free on Outside or YouTube.
TOGETHER WITH QAVAH DESIGNS
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FAVORITES
💆♂️ Post-workout relief: We’ve all felt it, tight muscles, lingering soreness, and that desperate need for recovery after a big session. And while massage has long been a go-to for athletes, does it actually work? This article takes a deep dive into the science behind post-exercise massage and breaks down what it really does (and doesn’t do) for your recovery. [Science for Sport]
🧊 Summer fueling upgrade: As the mercury climbs and training heats up, your training diet needs a serious reboot. But how should you adapt your fueling during summer? What changes are needed for your hydration, electrolyte consumption, and post-workout nutrition. All the answers you need are here! [The Feed]
💥 High energy snacks: As your training ramps up, your snacks can often become just as important as your meals! So if you're juggling early starts, full workdays, and evening workouts, having smart fuel like these 10 high energy snacks can make even your toughest days seem easy! [Veloforte]
🏊♀️ Swim breathing success: Since none of us have gills, we need to be as efficient as possible during swimming’s breathing phase. But if you’re not inhaling (and exhaling) well, then you could be losing out on a more fluid stroke. This video explains the key principles behind breathing well! [SwimGym]
TOGETHER WITH MAXIOM
When a World Champion Enters the Chat 🔥
Last week I was tired from a big block of training, and heading out the door for my end-of-day run was NOT something I was looking forward to.
“I’m at the end of my training block - maybe I can just skip this one…”
Then a sign, not from above, but from Norway, straight into the Champions Circle group chat,
When peaking for the top step, there will be lots of “easy” exits. The ones who make it to the top, in the end, get there by trusting themselves and pushing through when others give up 🔥
How fast do you think I laced up my shoes after that one?
Get access to World Champions, advanced DNA testing, and an industry leading AI model - only in the Champions Circle.
REEL TIME
Sometimes we get a little too out of touch with reality! 🤔😂
TEMPO TALKS PODCAST
Who is Responsible for the Devastating Incident at Escape from Alcatraz?
Does a New Study Prove Altitude Training is Dead?
And has the T100 scored a major win in its battle with IRONMAN?
We break it all down in the latest episode of the Tempo Talks Podcast!
Together with The TriDoc, we bring you the biggest stories in Triathlon,
Training tips to make you faster,
And breakdowns of the latest in sports science and performance!
QUICK NEWS
Never give up: After two years of planning and setbacks, the first annual Princeton Triathlon went off with great success! [Town Topics]
Kids tri win: More than 200 athletes participated in the succesful kids triathlon in Redun. [Ouest France]
Cancer comeback: After cancer diagnosis at 35 and rapid weight gain, this survivor came back to fight for his first IRONMAN finish! [SCMP]
Subic Bay success: Sunrise Sprint draws new and veteran triathletes to Subic Bay! [Daily Guardian]
WEEKEND RACES
IRONMAN 70.3 Happy Valley
This female pro field features an intriguing matchup between Chelsea Sodaro (USA) and Jeannie Metzler (ZAF).
IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder
Trevor Foley (USA), Colin Szuch (USA), and Kevin McDowell (USA) should be battling for the win in Boulder!
IRONMAN Austria
A strong field features Denis Chevrot (FRA) wearing the #1.
LATEST EDITIONS
Will T100 find victory in Vancouver, and essential athlete pantry staples!
How to understand, and overcome, frustrating muscle knots!
IRON War reborn in Hamburg. And high protein carbs!
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