In the highly anticipated Ironman 70.3 World Championship, fans were treated to what felt like deja vu from Kona – two of the sport’s all-time greats, Lucy Charles-Barclay and Taylor Knibb, battling head-to-head at the front of the race. The duel was reminiscent of their showdown just four weeks prior, but this time, midway through the run, Lucy found another gear and surged ahead, sealing her third world title in a stunning display of redemption and resilience.
Swim: Charles-Barclay Dominates, Knibb Surprises in Pursuit
Just as she did in Kona, Lucy Charles-Barclay – the undisputed “mermaid” of triathlon – wasted no time asserting control in the water. From the opening strokes, she surged clear of the field, swimming solo at the front and leaving even powerhouse swimmers like Jess Learmonth, who often helps set the pace in T100 races, unable to hang on.
But perhaps even more surprising than Charles-Barclay’s commanding lead was who emerged as her closest challenger. Taylor Knibb, not typically known for her swim prowess, held strong throughout and exited the water just 47 seconds behind Charles-Barclay. Learmonth followed close on her heels, with the main chase pack trailing roughly two minutes back.
Bike: Knibb Takes Charges, Charles-Barclay Matches Every Move
In classic Taylor Knibb fashion, the bike leg saw her gap evaporate almost instantly. Given Knibb’s reputation as the sport’s most dominant cyclist, many expected her to ride away and open up a decisive lead.
But Charles-Barclay had other plans. Refusing to let the American escape, she stayed with Knibb throughout the ride – a move that surprised commentators and thrilled fans. Many questioned whether Charles-Barclay might be burning too many matches this early, especially after the brutal effort both women endured in Kona just weeks ago.
Yet as the race unfolded, Charles-Barclay’s strategy proved to be a tactical masterclass. By holding Knibb within reach, she ensured the front of the race stayed in her sights while also saving enough energy for the decisive run to come.
While much of the spotlight remained on the Lucy-Taylor duel up front, attention also turned to the chase group behind. Notably, Kat Matthews delivered a strong ride to enter T2 just under three minutes down – the kind of margin she had proved she could erase on Knibb during the run in Taupo.
Run: Charles-Barclay Pulls Away, Matthews’ Day Ends Early
Charles-Barclay and Knibb ran together through the opening miles, neither willing to give an inch. But as the course wore on, Charles-Barclay began to look increasingly composed – her rhythm smooth, her pace relentless. Midway through the run, she made her move, gradually opening a gap that Knibb simply couldn’t close.
Charles-Barclay powered to the finish with the fastest half marathon of her career (1:17:14), claiming her second Ironman 70.3 World Championship title – and her third world crown overall. With this victory, she joins elite company as the third woman ever to win multiple Ironman 70.3 World Championships, alongside three-time champion Taylor Knibb and five-time champion Daniela Ryf.
For fans who had witnessed her heartbreak in Kona just weeks before, this finish line moment felt all the more powerful – a true redemption story for Charles-Barclay and her husband, Reece, who has stood by her through every high and low of this sport.
Coach Dan Lorang also shared his pride in both of his athletes post-race, while rookie Tanja Neubert delivered a breakout performance, running her way onto the final podium spot.
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(@danlorang)Behind the front-of-race drama, heartbreak struck for Kat Matthews, who was forced to withdraw partway through the run, appearing to battle cramps or a recurrence of her calf injury. Yet despite the disappointment, Matthews’ outstanding season still earned her the overall Ironman Pro Series title – a testament to her consistency, resilience, and world-class talent.
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