Lucy Charles-Barclay: This will be the toughest race I’ve had in Kona

In traditional Big Island style, the annual Ironman World Championship pro press conference takes place on the lawns of the King Kamehameha hotel two days before race-day, welcoming 10 leading triathletes vying for the biggest umeke bowl and coveted title.

This year was no different as it welcomed three former champions, two Brits, and one debutant – who is many people’s choice to win the title – to give their thoughts ahead of an intriguing showdown at the weekend. We picked out some of the best quotes for you.

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Sarah True

USA’s Ironman Frankfurt winner Sarah True on why her Kona build-up has been a bit different from the other female pros: “Put it this way. Tomorrow I have a research paper due, and I have a two-year-old to look after, and then I have to race well… but at least I won’t have to babysit for 9hr.

“I love still being able to play triathlon, and to play triathlon against the best is pretty awesome.”

Kat Matthews

Britain’s Ironman 70.3 worlds runner-up Kat Matthews on being fit to start the race having missed out last year after being hit by car when training in Texas: “Signing my name on the list of the incredible athletes I’m joining here was a pretty big moment considering last year I was the only name not able to sign in.

“It still feels a little bit emotionally challenging, but I’m getting all that out of the way so I can perform on race day.” 

Lisa Norden

Sweden’s 2012 Olympic silver medallist Lisa Norden on winning Ironman Kalmar in Sweden in August: “Being Swedish, I don’t get the opportunity to race at home very often. I had the WTS race in Stockholm and now Kalmar, and there were probably 10 years in between.

It’s a moment to really savour. Everybody told me that Kalmar was a special Ironman and I was a bit like: ‘Well, I’ve done the Olympic Games and world champs so how cool can Kalmar be? But it absolutely blew me away with the support. That crowd!

“If you ever want to do an Ironman, definitely go to Kalmar!”

On a change in training focus: “I invested a lot of time in rebuilding my body over the winter and not training so much running, biking and swimming but focusing on the demands of being able to handle race-day.

“When you get a bit older it’s not, how can I train more, it’s how can my body function better? It’s been nerve-wracking but interesting to see how the body comes around and is stronger and fitter.”

Laura Philipp

Germany’s Laura Philipp, who placed fourth in Kona last year, on how it will feel on race day with only women on the course: “It’s great to be surrounded by so much female power. That’s something we are not used to in triathlon.

“We deserve the full focus and I’m looking forward to sharing the course with more than 2,000 amazing ladies.”

Taylor Knibb

Ironman 70.3 world champion and full distance rookie Taylor Knibb on what will constitute success on Saturday: “I still have to figure that out, but what I’ve heard – and I’ve never done Ironman – is that it’s about overcoming challenges.

“You can’t predict what challenges will occur. I watched the broadcast and saw Normann Stadler dominate in 2004 and 2006, and in 2005 he had a flat tyre, so there are so many things you can’t control. How you overcome them is the measure of success to me.”

And on racing with her mum, Leslie, on Saturday: “I know she’s very nervous for me, but said that if anything happens and I can’t finish, she doesn’t want to be a bad mum by finishing her own race. So she made me promise that whatever happens we will each finish our races.

“She claims it’s going to be her last Ironman, so to share the course on my first Ironman, it’s not going to be a passing of the torch, but it sort of is.”

Daniela Ryf

Five-time Ironman world champion Daniela Ryf on her first race in Hawaii in 2014: “Experience can be helpful, but I also remember how I raced here the first time, and sometimes it’s also good to not to think too much.

“I’ve learned a lot through the years, but it can also scare you to know how hard it is.”

On the potential to become a six-time Ironman champion alongside Natasha Badmann, Paula Newby-Fraser, Mark Allen and Dave Scott: “I try not to think about it too much, but it would be a huge honour to join the club.

“They are all amazing athletes and what they’ve done for the sport is pretty special, but what’s more important for me is that I can have a race I’m proud of. I haven’t had that the last two times I raced here.”

Anne Haug

Anne Haug, the 2019 Ironman world champion, on the advice she’d give women looking to take up the sport: “I think the first step is always to have good company and have fun.

“Triathlon is an endurance sport and needs regular training, and if you’re not having fun it can be a burden. Look for a great club and great training partners.”

Lucy Charles-Barclay

Four-time Hawaii runner-up Lucy Charles-Barclay on the quality of the field she’s up against: “It will be the toughest race I’ve had on the island.

“The conditions play into it but the stellar field we have this year is going to be the biggest factor on the day.”

Chelsea Sodaro

Chelsea Sodaro on being reigning world champion: “I knew this race was a big deal and you feel it when you’re here, but I didn’t realise how many people cared about the title and how it transcends triathlon.

“I’ve been talking all week about how I come from a very service-minded family, and I’m an athlete which can be a very selfish pursuit. But I said to my husband, I want to do something pretty good with this victory.

“I love triathlon, but I believe in the power of sport that it brings us altogether and teaches us so much about ourselves.

“I’m so fortunate to have such amazing partners who have rallied with me to celebrate women’s sport and make it more than the end result.”

Top image credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for Ironman

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