The world’s top male and female triathletes are headed to Marbella, Spain, for the 2025 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. And one question worth considering is: Could this be the year of the rookies?
Since 2006, there has never been a season in which debut athletes claimed Ironman World Championship titles at both the full and 70.3 distances. But 2025 could be the year that breaks that pattern.
On September 14th, Casper Stornes stunned the triathlon world by winning the men’s Ironman World Championship in his debut. Less than a month later, on October 11th, Solveig Lovseth did the same in the women’s race. Both Norwegian athletes now appear on the start list for Marbella. Could they make history once again?
The overall rookie storyline also grows stronger by the day. Ironman has reported 64 athletes making their debut at the 70.3 World Championship in Marbella out of a total of 119 competitors. However, according to Tri-Poll Athlete tracking, the number actually racing could be closer to 95 competitors. In this case, closer to two thirds of the professional field would be first-time participants, making this one of the most unpredictable championships in recent memory.
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Among the men, ten WTCS athletes are expected to race, which is no surprise in a post-Olympic year. Two names stand out: Miguel Hidalgo and Alessio Crociani. Hidalgo, the 2025 WTCS silver medalist, has shown consistent form throughout the season, while Crociani’s podium finish at the WTCS Grand Finale in Wollongong confirms his readiness for the middle-distance stage.
In the women’s field, Georgia Taylor-Brown is a name to watch. The Olympic medalist and Supertri standout has spent 2025 testing herself across multiple formats, from short course to gravel racing to middle distance. She appears poised for a middle-distance breakthrough, and her adaptability and race sense make her a real contender among the more experienced 70.3 specialists.
Of note, the triathlon world continues to wait for confirmation from defending champion Taylor Knibb and 2021 winner Lucy Charles-Barclay. While both athletes are listed to start, both suffered immense heat-related stress in Kona, and Tri-Poll still has them as “unconfirmed” (based on an absence of social media posts and not yet being present in Spain). Their presence – or absence – could shift the entire competitive landscape.
Whether Marbella crowns another pair of debut champions or sees the veterans hold their ground, the 2025 Ironman 70.3 World Championship promises excitement, depth, and the kind of drama that defines this sport.
Live race coverage begins at 7:30 a.m. CET and will be streamed for free on proseries.ironman.com, DAZN, YouTube, and Outside TV for viewers in the United States and Canada.
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