The Ironman World Championship in Kona is more than just a race. It is a gathering of stories, milestones, and a touch of triathlon trivia that makes the start line on the Big Island so special. This year, 56 professional women will dive into Kailua Bay to take on the iconic course.
The field is a mix of fresh faces and seasoned veterans. Two sisters line up together, with Julie Derron making her Kona debut alongside her older sister Nina, who attempted the World Championship in Nice last year but did not reach the finish. They are part of a new wave of talent that includes 18 athletes experiencing the World Championship for the very first time.
At the other end are the mainstays. Denmark’s Maja Stage Nielsen has raced the World Championship every year since 2017, and Kona will be her eighth consecutive start. Other professionals in the field go back even further, having raced against legends like Chrissie Wellington in 2011 and Mirinda Carfrae in 2013. Building on this history history, Carfrae herself will now be on the microphone calling the action on October 11.
The champions of recent years add even more depth. Chelsea Sodaro stunned the sport with her rookie victory in Kona in 2022. Lucy Charles-Barclay followed by finally seizing the Kona crown in 2023. And last year in Nice, Laura Philipp took her turn at the top. Three consecutive world champions return to the start line this year, creating one of the strongest roll calls in recent memory.
The international makeup of the field reflects the global reach of triathlon. The United States leads with 14 athletes, Germany follows with nine, and Great Britain brings six. The average age is 33, with the youngest competitors being French athletes Julie Lemmolo and Marjolaine Pierre, both 25.
For Canadian fans, eyes will be on Tamara Jewett as she tackles Kona for the first time. Another one to watch is Kat Matthews, coming in at the top of the Ironman Pro Series standings and already a two-time World Championship runner-up in St. George 2021 and Nice 2024.
From the excitement of first timers to the pressure on reigning champions, Kona remains the ultimate proving ground. When the cannon fires on October 11, every one of the 56 women will be chasing their own piece of history on the Queen K.
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