Kona 25

[jeffb]

Appearing in inboxes near you!

It’s been a historic year for IRONMAN racing, and the pinnacle was October’s two-day VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon held in Kailua-Kona. For the first time we saw the potential that two days of IRONMAN World Championship racing can bring – achievements, inspiring stories, and incredible athleticism was showcased in a way like never before. Among this, the spotlight on female racing shone brightly.

The 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship was a success on a number of fronts and the intent had been to continue two days of racing in Kailua-Kona for 2023. However, race week also demonstrated, that at this time, Kona is not in a position to host the number of athletes and spectators that the two-day event format brings.

Recognizing the importance of a dedicated day of racing for both women and men, and the bold progress we’ve made, we have been looking at a variety of solutions for the two-day event, including co-hosting the IRONMAN World Championship at two separate locations.

While we do not have full details for the format of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship, we know it is important to tell you as much as possible, as soon as possible. At this time, we can share that the women’s field will race in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 14, 2023. For the men’s field, the date and location outside of Hawaii are currently being evaluated and expected to be announced in January 2023. For 2024, the men’s and women’s races would exchange locations, with the men to race in Kona.

As an athlete registered to race at an IRONMAN race within the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship qualifying season, we know that this announcement will bring about questions and some immediate queries related to the slot allocation and roll-down process. Please refer to FAQs, HERE.

For Men due to race before the men’s location announcement is made:
A virtual rolldown (via email) will occur after the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship location announcement has been made. Further information about the virtual rolldown process will be provided to athletes, as part of their race information.

For women due to race before the men’s location announcement is made:
World Championship slot allocation and rolldown will occur on site as usual.

All IRONMAN events occurring after the men’s location announcement is made will continue with an onsite World Championship slot allocation and rolldown process for all athletes.

Adjustments will be made to the full slot allocation considering this news. Please refer HERE for more details.

Continuing with a dedicated IRONMAN World Championship experience for both men and women is critical to the growth of our sport. Bringing more opportunities to showcase triathlon and in turn drawing more athletes to participate will strengthen competition and the sustainability of triathlon by attracting youth. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the new limitations we’re faced with in Kona, to achieve a positive outcome for all.

Your IRONMAN Team

[jeffb]

@jeffb

For the first time we saw the dollars that two days of IRONMAN World Championship racing can bring

FTF Them

[stenard]

Yeah, confirmed, and from the FAQ’s, 2023 males already qualified will have the option to defer to 2024.

So does the mean @TROSaracen will now have to go in 2024? If you’ve booked and paid for accommodation / flights already, this is pretty poor

https://www.ironman.com/im-world-championship-2023-faqs?mkt_tok=MTI0LVFWRy03MzgAAAGIaTXnv4IBOWjaV0-qpUIOrTXZRyFCZE_efImWPqX7F2Ah2IdnP24NVp9NRNbzLEz3KwWgutDV4wjJKUGldPSu0cM_lzL-fAPCK_XueQcGGoYBCg

[Adam]

Yeah that’s just straight up fucking people over

[stenard]

Yeah, by pretty poor, I actually meant utterly disgraceful.

[Chriswim]

Best decision long term of the 3 options.

But complete incompetence to have sold Kona slots before it was in place and be now making the switch 5 months too late.

[buzz]

@stenard

If you’ve booked and paid for accommodation / flights already, this is pretty poor

Go for the holiday? I’m guessing selling on the accommodation is less appealing now there are half the competitors.

[fruit_thief]

Nice is an iconic venue with decades of tri history, it’s also easier to get to for most people in the world. Not that I’m good enough, but if I was I’d be really tempted by this.

And alternating with Kona means all that history isn’t lost either. Best of both worlds.

Shame they’re French but you can’t have everything - just kidding

[Bosco64]

I am racing Ironman Western Australia on Sunday. Roll down for slots will take place in January virtually after the new venue has been announced with options for the 23 race or Kona 24 for those who qualify. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that in circumstances - how good would it be to qualify now for 24 with +20 months to ‘prepare’.

[Poet]

@Bosco64

“prepare”

Love it

[Poet]

Whilst Nice is nice, it lacks a certain glamour offered by the Fylde Coastal gem of Blackpool.

Where athletes would be able to swim in the clear waters of Morcambe Bay, before running over the golden (quick) sands to transition on the infamous Blackpool Pier North. The Maurten Move bike leg takes athletes on the experience of their lives, the closed roads of the M55

Athletes will complete this seven times, before dismounting at our split transition Hotel Partner, Ibis Preston North.

From here, athletes will then rejoin the closed M55, making the 16 mile journey back to Blackpool in the left hand lane. No fewer than 15 aid stations will be stocked with Gatorade and Rolla Cola for our athletes here.

Once back in Blackpool, athletes will complete a victory loop of the Victorian Promenade, heading north to Bipsham, before making their way south to our esteemed travel partner, Blackpool Airport, then finally onto the finish line in front of the world famous Blackpool Tower.

The Ironman World Championships 2023 promise to be a unique experience, to register your interest, be sure to enter an Ironman™ today

[Poet]

@Poet

Whilst Nice is nice

To be fair, and honest, Nice looks fricking ace
@fruit_thief is correct about it having the history, it’s always been on my radar of historic triathlon events.
It’s the damn hills that scare me
Having descended some proper hills on a road bike whilst in Mallorca, and seeing the Euro triathletes zip past me, it’s not a challenge I’d be relishing

Oh, then there is this;

an irregular climb of 9 kilometers at 3.3% average slope, but with 3 passages between 10% and 15% on 300m to 600m located in the first 4 kilometers of ascent

my just watching this

Cycling the Clue de Gréolières

[Poet]

@Adam

that’s just straight up fucking people over

It’s absolutely that.
So many people will have entered their races expecting to go to Kona, or at least have the chance, in 2023.
Behind the scenes, people may have set up their lives (work/personal etc) to enable them to achieve this, something that may not be repeatable in 2024.

When you look at this in conjunction with how they handled Covid withdrawals (little to no 100% refunds) when people were on furlough / didn’t know if they’d have a job in 2021/2022 etc, it’s abhorrent

I’ll not be entering any more of their events
See you at the Outlaw

[FatPom]

There are three cohorts fucked over here ( and not necessarily separate ones)

Those that were expecting to race in Kona and want nothing but Kona from a location POV.

Those that are ok with Nice in theory but have paid an entry fee based on Kona.

Those that have entered, expecting Kona and booked non refundable flights and accommodation already.

A combo of all of the above.

[Poet]

It’s like they have little to no knowledge of what Kona means to athletes and just how mentally, emotionally and physically draining the whole 12+ months beforehand are

They have zero concern for athlete well being.

They have concern for

[JD-Scarabtri]

@Bosco64 Looking forward to your race report as my brother is in Perth so might just visit him this time of year

[FatPom]

Some will always be pissed off it’s not at Kona and I get that but to me, the whole ‘bait and switch’ is what must really grate.

[Poet]

%

I’ve got the option of a 1-3 month sabbatical/cash mix next year, so would’ve been nice to use that for a stab at it.

But having no experience of racing two long distance races in a season, Nice is way too close in the calendar (allegedly) after Bolton

Although, as above, Nice looks
And I’ve no beef at all with the plan of a 2-day event in different locations. It’s a great long term plan.
I’d just be petrified of those descents on a TT bike

[Whisk]

Nice is a road bike course every time for me

[GeordieM]

With it being ‘murica I’ll not be surprised if there’s a small class action lawsuit over the bait and switch of venues. It’s miss-selling and warrants the option of a full refund.