Adding to the string of breaking news today is an unfortunate update: reigning Ironman World Champion Casper Stornes is out of Kona following a serious bike crash on the Big Island.

Stornes arrived just two days ago and, as he shared in an Instagram video, a storm was approaching the island when he was caught by a “very hard blow from the wind” that hit his front wheel and twisted it, causing him to lose control of the bike and fly over the handlebars. “Luckily I didn’t take with me Gustav in the crash,” Stornes added, noting the close call for his compatriot, who had been riding on his wheel.

In terms of injuries, Stornes landed on his shoulder and suffered a broken collarbone, as well as a fracture to his L3 vertebra. He’s unsure whether he’ll have surgery locally on the Big Island or back home and is awaiting consultations with doctors and his insurance provider.

While Stornes expressed gratitude that his injuries weren’t worse, the disappointment is, of course, incredibly real, and we would have loved to see him attempt to defend his title on the legendary course. “This is me out of Kona 2026 and I have to come back in 2027,” he said at the end of his video.

We’re wishing him a fast and smooth recovery.

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