At Ironman Kalmar on August 16, the women’s field saw 2022 World Champion Chelsea Sodaro finish third, validating her place for Kona. The final qualifying slot went to Dutch athlete Marlene de Boer, who finished second. With Kalmar complete, the 60 professional women set to race in Kona on October 11 are now confirmed. Sodoar shared post-race that she had “got the number one job done” and is “ready to get after it these next 8 weeks.”
The men’s turn came a day later at Ironman Copenhagen on August 17, where Britain’s Zack Cooper claimed what he called on Instagram “the last golden ticket.” Finishing fourth, Cooper initially congratulated another athlete on earning a slot for Nice, only to learn that the athlete would decline, passing the opportunity to him. Cooper reflected on his rapid progression, writing: “Never would have thought as an age grouper when quitting my full-time job at the end of 2023 that I’d be competing at my first pro Ironman World Championships in less than two years later.”
Cooper, now in his second season with the That Triathlon Life Development Team founded by Eric Lagerstrom and Paula Findlay, will line up in Nice on September 14. With Copehnagen complete, 59 professional men are now confirmed for the Ironman World Championship in Nice.
For our breakdown of key names to watch in both Kona and Nice, see our companion articles The Runway to Kona and The Runway to Nice.
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