See emotion run high at IRONMAN World Championship
From start to finish, the world’s toughest triathlon became the ultimate test of self for the world’s best triathletes. These photos show how the day unfolded.
The IRONMAN World Championship is notorious for swallowing athletes (and only maybe spitting them out) and the 2017 race was no exception. In fact, even by Hawaiian standards, this year’s race was gnarly.
For over 300km, swimmers, cyclists, and runners faced 40-degree heat over blistering hot tarmac with strong crosswinds from the south, to have an all out physical – and mental – self-battle on the course. It’s safe to say, that the athletes left everything out on the course.
With a rainstorm coming through in the middle of the night before in Kailua-Kona, the day began steamy with no wind. This became both a blessing and a curse.
The pro men’s division were left to bake in the early morning heat as they headed up the Queen Kaahumanu highway, however once the age group divisions pedaled through, a wicked wind filled in leaving all the athletes to dig deeper than imagined.
Sebastian Kienle, who came in just shy of a podium finish by about three minutes, said, “It was my goal to empty the tank, but unfortunately I did that at the 20km mark and had to continue the run on will alone. I finished with nothing left, so at the end I lost the fight, but against myself not against the competition.”
Even the now three-peat women’s pro IRONMAN World Champion, Daniela Ryf, left it all out on the course. “It was the hottest I’ve ever been – at one point I even thought I had a fever. There were certainly times when I didn’t think it was possible. It’s not always coming for free and sometimes you have those days. It was a painful and really hard race.”
Ryf, who, for the most part, was on point with her 2016 splits, was challenged to the max by the women’s pro rookie, Lucy Charles. For nearly two-thirds of the race, Ryf was facing a five-minute deficit. “At the 60km mark I had to decide if I was going to give it all I had to pass her and potentially drop out, or, lose the race.” Ryf decided the latter was not an option and went full throttle, despite the pain.
Wings for Life World Run winner, Aron Anderson, came in second in the Challenge division and said, “This is the hardest race I’ve ever done. The arm-biking over the hot lava field and the high winds almost made me give up. But after many hard hours, I finally managed to finish.”
It was the ultimate test of self
At the end of the day, the day became about only one thing: who could persevere through the hurt box through to the finish.
New Zealand’s Braden Currie, who led the race at one point, not only had a flat tyre and a five-minute penalty, but he was also stung by a bee. “I just cooked myself and that was pretty much my day. I just sunk myself way too deep trying to chase people and I just had to tick a box after that to be honest,” Currie said.
But the most important thing is: he didn’t give up, nor did Ryf, Kienle, nor Thomas – despite the challenges they faced. They kept pushing through. Despite wanting to give up, despite the dark places, they kept powering through. And, as a result, their challenges fueled the fire for the years to come.
Believing in self
Out on the course, it is just about one person: yourself. And, as runner-up Lucy Charles learned, you need to believe in yourself at the IRONMAN World Championship. “My partner believed I would finish on the podium, but I didn’t. I think it’s time I start believing in myself as much as he believes in me,” Charles said.
Believing in oneself was almost as important as putting the physical effort in during the months prior. Igor Amorelli did not have great years in the past, but this year he decided things would be different. “It was still the test that we expected, but I took the risks and gave it the best I had. It was still a good result.” Amorelli finished top-15 this year, after a DNF in 2016.
Dreams were realised as well with the first place winner, Patrick Lange, setting a new course record of 08h 01m 40s. “It was a life dream come true to win and beat the overall course record. It’s just awesome. Lionel Sanders was a tough guy to beat – mentally he's a beast. I was expecting a fast time but a course record is a dream come true.”
Daniela Ryf, Lucy Charles and Sarah Crowley podium
Yes, the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship was hard. Yes, it was emotional. Yes, it was hot and windy. But, it was a race for the books – a race that gave as much as it took – and it was a race none of the athletes will forget anytime soon.
Relive all the IRONMAN World Championship action on Red Bull TV here: www.redbull.tv/ironman
