Kona Returns

Good morning everyone,

We’re back, and so is Kona. The original format, with everyone competing on the same day. Will it bring catastrophic collapses? Could a former champion return to glory? Or will new Kings and Queens be crowned on the Big Island?

We can’t wait to find out.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

Kona Champions to be Crowned

The IRONMAN World Championships returns to Kona this weekend. Last year’s Women’s-only edition saw catastrophic collapses and a surprise winner - Solveig Løvseth - who won by only 40 seconds. It was eight hours of non-stop action.

But this year will be different. A similar cast of characters in this year’s women’s race could be playing different roles. Charles-Barclay and Knibb - the early aggressors in 25’ - could be more conservative in Kona. Solveig’s surprise win leaves her unable to make unexpected attacks. Matthews and Phillipp, previous favourites, are now, astonishingly, underdogs.

And of course, the men are back. Well, most of them. Casper Stornes, the 2025 World Champion, crashed his bike on a Kona training ride and broke a lot of stuff - a shame. But the race will continue. Blummenfelt, Laidlow, Iden, Van Riel, Schomburg, Marquardt, Luis. All ready to fight for a Kona crown.

What we’ll be watching for:

📏 The 20m rule kills the runners: The first year in Kona with a 20m draft rule. It’s an extinction event for the “runners” of the sport. Lange, Phillip, and co. They can still place well. The heat ensures that. But no athlete like that will ever win again on the Big Island.

🏊 The men’s swim shakeout: When Laidlow attacked the front of the race ‘24, it was a solo effort. Now, he has friends. Riddle, Schomburg, Salvisberg, Luis, Van Riel - all ready to attack the swim from the start. Laidlow may still lead into T2. But the effort to get there could be minimized.

🏍️ The motos will be there: Speaking of leaders, cameras love leaders. You hate to say it, but being in the lead often comes with more cameras and motorbikes. And if the wind hits the right way on the Queen K, it’s an extra boost you won’t enjoy while sitting in second - or the second pack!

🚴‍♀️ The women’s bike: Ok, maybe more like Knibb’s bike?! We all saw the dominance in Nice. It’s hard not to see her coming off in the lead. But how far back can Charles-Barclay be if she wants another title?

And although Solveig has a target on her back, could she end up working with another super-cyclist - Paula Findlay - to limit the damage?

And who will win?

Men: At this distance, no one can bike and run like Blummenfelt. No one. Victory is inevitable. But it won’t be obvious until the second half of the run.

Women: Kona is crazy, but so is Taylor Knibb’s bike. She will ride away from the field, and having learned from last year, will stay in control all the way to the finish. And we’re calling it now, the race for second will be absolutely electric.

FAVORITES

🧬 Variety is longevity: A 100,000-person study found that mixing running, cycling, weights, and other sports beats single-sport volume for mortality risk reduction. But how much healthier are you as a multisport athlete? Find out here. [The 5k Runner]

💪 Kona’s eldest is relentless: She’s 79, a breast cancer survivor, and only started triathlon at 68 after an osteoporosis diagnosis. She’s also the oldest woman on the start line in Kona. So what’s the secret behind Linda Ashmore’s incredible resilience? Grit, joy, and relentless motion. [Triathlete]

🧱 Stop doing sit-ups: Will sit-ups give you rock-hard abs? Maybe. What they won’t give you? Actual core strength. Your spine needs isometric stability, and these key exercises will help you attain it! [T3]