On October 14th 2023 we are set to see the best of the best women in long distance triathlon go head to head on the most iconic race course in the sports history. With a start list that's been dubbed one of the most stellar we have seen in years, there's no question that this race is on every fan's watchlist.
Last year was the first time the women had their own day as the race was split with women only on the Thursday and the men on the Saturday. It proved a success splitting the field this way as we quite rightly saw more footage, had more commentary, more discussion and appreciation for women in triathlon. However, being in Hawaii for longer didn't prove too welcome a decision for the locals and the following January there was the announcement of not only a split women/men field again, but a split location for 2023. The men were to race in September at Nice and the women were to remain in Kona in October, with a plan to swap the races the following year.
So who's racing Kona 2023?
Well first up we have returning World Champion Chelsea Sodaro. The first mum to win Kona can she make it 2 in a row? After a DNF at Challenge Roth and pulling out of the PTO European Open this year has been tough for Chelsea but she's a fighter and not one to be ruled out.
Wearing bib no2 we have Lucy Charles-Barclay. No stranger to the number 2 position could this finally be the year she takes the win and silences those questioning her run?
One athlete who's run is rarely called into question is Anne Haug. She stormed her way to second at the PTO Asian Open after an incident with an inner tube on her bike cost her dearly and also won the PTO European Open. She is a hot contender for this year and top of many people's picks.
No stranger to Kona, Daniela Ryf has won the iconic race an impressive 5 times. Not only that, she smashed the ironman distance record earlier this year at Challenge Roth setting a new time of 8:08:21. However, she hasn't been on top form since with a finishing position of 9th at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Lahti.
Speaking of women with solid resilience though we also have Kat Matthews - if ever there was a women that just can't be knocked down and kept down it is Kat. After a near career ending bike crash just 2 weeks before 2022 Ironman World Championships, Kat focused on her recovery and performed well in race after race through 2023 with a notable second at the 70.3 World Championships. Having only turned pro in 2019 this will be her debut performance at Kona but she's certainly one to watch.
Lastly we have 'wild card' Taylor Knibb. Taylor has been very open about her goal of getting to the Olympics so she didn't seem a contender for the long distance race. But, she's going to be there anyway with her mum racing as an age grouper and with her slot for the Olympics now safely in the bag she's just confirmed that yes, she is throwing her hat into the ring. With her training being so 70.3 focused many are questioning if she is 'ready' for the leap but she's a young women in her 20's and anything can happen on the day.
There are of course many more athletes to watch out for - Laura Philipp, Fenella Langridge and Sarah True to name just a few. We all have our favourites and who doesn't love an underdog in a race viewed all over the world. I will certainly be glued to my telly and the tracker as always but this year, there will be exactly zero shouts of 'get back to the women, what's happening in their race??' And I'm very excited about that!
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