One of the most anticipated Ironman Pro Series races goes down this weekend in Germany. After Great Britain’s Kat Matthews set the fastest Ironman course record five weeks ago, speculation about how the power-packed start list is going to shake out has stirred a lot of excitement for Ironman Hamburg on Sunday.
Matthews has had a short window since her record-breaking performance in Texas last month, with just over a month to recover, peak and taper before returning to the start line to battle defending champion Jackie Hering from the US. The current Ironman World Champion, Laura Philipp of Germany, was the record-holder for fastest Ironman course until Matthews broke it in April. Philipp set the time record at this exact race in 2022, also taking the win.
With Matthews, Hering, and Philipp having strong performances recently, and a history of domination on the Hamburg course, it’s anyone’s game. Matthews and Philipp thrilled fans with an intense showdown at the 2024 Ironman World Championship race in Nice. An absolute battle on the run in the first few miles saw the two hammering it out next to each until Philipp finally broke away around mile seven to take the championship title.
A debut and redemption for Lovseth and Lewis
It’s the first race on the Ironman Pro Series for Philipp. Currently ranked in the top spot is Germany’s Anne Reischmann after a huge win at the Ironman South African Championship in March, and a fifth place finish at 70.3 Venice-Jesolo early this month. The winner at Venice-Jesolo, newcomer Solveig Lovseth of Norway, is making her Ironman debut, coming off of three 70.3 wins so far this season.
American Danielle Lewis will be another one to watch, as she hunts for redemption after a DNF at Ironman Texas. Ahead of her DNF, Lewis finished second at Ironman 70.3 St. George North American Championship, proving she is in form to compete against the best despite a disappointing result in Texas.
The race doubles as the women’s European Championship, with a field of 29 pro females. With a women’s only race, air time will go strictly to watching some of the best pro females on the circuit vie for Pro Series points, $US87,500 in prize money, and five 2025 Ironman World Championship Kona spots.
Ironman is broadcasting all of its Pro Series races for free this year. North American viewers can watch the drama unfold live on Outside TV. The men’s European Championship takes place on June 29 in Frankfurt.
The post Showdown in Hamburg: Matthews, Philipp and Hering lead power-packed field at Ironman European Championship appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.