Episode 149: Kona Race Week, World Championship Predictions and Island Gossip

Send us Fan Mail This week on Another Triathlon Podcast, Jenna-Caer (@jennacaer), Josh (@joshmvernon), Fede (@fedemultisport) and special guest Jenny Fletcher (@jenfletchtri) are diving straight into Kona race week from the Big Island. Jenny joins the show with years of Kona experience, while Jenna-Caer checks in from the heart of Ali’i Drive with the latest race-week atmosphere, pro sightings, sponsor activations, Ho’ala Swim results, Team Mauna events and plenty of on-the-ground gossip. Josh and Fede bring the outside perspective from home while counting down to one of the deepest Ironman World Championship fields we’ve seen. The crew breaks down both the women’s and men’s races, where the swim could split, how the bike dynamics could unfold, who might benefit from the conditions, who could be dangerous on the marathon, and who they’re picking for the podium. Highlights • Kona race-week energy with men and women back together • Jenny Fletcher joins the show • Why Kona feels completely different with the full field on the island • Brand activations taking over Ali’i Drive • Ho’ala Swim results and the shortened course • Jamie Riddle leading the men’s Ho’ala Swim • Georgia Taylor-Brown leading the women • The rumoured pro swim group chat and race-day tactics • Kristian Blummenfelt’s massive final training sessions • Gustav Iden bringing back the lucky hat • Sam Long arriving for his first Kona as a professional • The Norwegians keeping things loose during race week • Ironman’s expanded broadcast coverage and quad-box setup • Team Mauna activations and community events on the island • Women’s Ironman World Championship preview • Men’s Ironman World Championship preview • Lucy Charles-Barclay going all-in on Kona • Taylor Knibb’s incredible form heading into race day • Paula Findlay as a potential Kona dark horse • Kat Matthews, Solveig Løvseth, Laura Philipp and Julie Derron in the mix • Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden chasing the Kona title • Sam Laidlow’s bike strategy • Magnus Ditlev flying under the radar • Patrick Lange’s final Kona • Jamie Riddle and Matthew Marquardt as dark horses • Full podium predictions from the crew Kona Race Week Kona is back to feeling like Kona. With the men and women racing together again, the island is packed with athletes, families, media, brands and fans. Ali’i Drive is full of pop-ups and sponsor activations, and it feels like every few steps you run into someone from the sport. Jenny shares how different the energy feels compared with the split World Championship years and why the combined race brings back the family reunion atmosphere that has always made Kona special. The Ho’ala Swim The traditional Ho’ala Swim was shortened because of jellyfish concerns, although thankfully there were no major reports of stings. On the men’s side, Jamie Riddle led the way, followed by Jonas Schomburg, Martin Van Riel and Vincent Luis. The result also added more fuel to the rumours about a front-swim group planning to work together on race day with surges and shared turns in an attempt to break the field apart. Georgia Taylor-Brown led the women’s swim, with Hannah Berry among those close behind. Women’s Race Preview Lucy Charles-Barclay is expected to do what she does best and lead the swim. The big question is what happens behind her. Taylor Knibb arrives after an incredible stretch of racing and is expected to start clawing back time almost immediately on the bike. Solveig Løvseth, Kat Matthews and Laura Philipp should also be major factors, while Paula Findlay could be particularly dangerous on a Kona course that rewards raw power and aerodynamics. Julie Derron adds another huge unknown because of what she can potentially do on the run. The women’s marathon could become a full chase-down battle, with Kat, Solveig, Laura, Julie and potentially others hunting down whoever enters T2 at the front. Women’s Podium Picks Josh: Taylor Knibb Julie Derron Lucy Charles-Barclay Fede: Laura Philipp Lucy Charles-Barclay Taylor Knibb Jenny: Lucy Charles-Barclay Taylor Knibb Paula Findlay Jenna-Caer: Taylor Knibb Lucy Charles-Barclay Kat Matthews Women’s Dark Horses Fede: Marta Sanchez Jenny: Paula Findlay Josh: Hannah Berry Men’s Race Preview The men’s field is ridiculously deep. Jamie Riddle, Jonas Schomburg, Martin Van Riel, Sam Laidlow, Vincent Luis and others could try to establish a genuine front swim break. From there, the bike becomes the big question. Sam Laidlow says he does not plan to chase his own bike course record, but with Kristian Blummenfelt’s run speed, Gustav Iden’s form, Magnus Ditlev’s bike strength and a huge group of powerful riders behind him, there may not be much room for conservatism. The crew expects a large front group to stay together for much of the bike unless someone decides to force the issue. On the run, Kristian and Gustav are obvious threats, while Patrick Lange remains impossible to count out in his final Kona. Matt Hanson and Jason West bring huge running ability, while athletes like Jonas Schomburg, Vincent Luis, Martin Van Riel, Matthew Marquardt and Jamie Riddle could all shake up the race. The Norwegians are openly talking about a marathon in the 2:33 range, potentially pushing the Kona run record into completely new territory. Men’s Podium Picks Fede: Gustav Iden Magnus Ditlev Vincent Luis Josh: Jonas Schomburg Kristian Blummenfelt Gustav Iden Jenny: Gustav Iden Kristian Blummenfelt Sam Laidlow Jenna-Caer: Patrick Lange Gustav Iden Kristian Blummenfelt Men’s Dark Horses Jenna-Caer: Jamie Riddle Jenny: Jamie Riddle Josh: Matthew Marquardt Fede: Vincent Luis Kona Storylines Casper Stornes is unfortunately out after his crash on the island, leaving the Norwegian squad without its defending champion. Gustav Iden looks relaxed, confident and has even brought out one of his original lucky hats for race day. Kristian Blummenfelt has completed another huge final training block, including his now-famous 3 x 10K session, and appears to be fully committed to finally getting his Kona win. Patrick Lange is preparing for his final Kona appearance, setting up the possibility of one last huge performance from one of the greatest athletes the race has ever seen. And with prize money, the Ironman Pro Series and the World Championship all converging on the same day, there are races within the race everywhere you look. Follow the show 📸 @anothertriathlonpodcast Host, Jenna-Caer Seefried, @jennacaer Josh, @joshmvernon Fede, @fedemultisport Special guest, Jenny Fletcher, @jenfletchtri Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenfletchtri/ Presented by @maunaapparel Support the show Stay connected with us! 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