The Triathlon Hour The Kona Debrief Podcast!
Oct 13, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Vicky Holland, an experienced elite triathlete and new analysis contributor, dives into the chaos of the Ironman World Championships in Kona. The panel examines the fierce competition, including Lucy Charles' swim dominance and the impact of penalties. They analyze Kat Matthews' impressive marathon amidst the heat and discuss the surprising debut win of Solveig Lofseth. The conversation even touches on modern athlete challenges like sponsorship controversies and the future of triathlon stars.
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Protect Core Temperature Early
- Do prioritise core temperature control in swim strategy to avoid irreversible overheating later on the day.
- Letting a swim gap form can be smart if it preserves your heat-management thresholds.
Bike Split Dominated The Race
- Solvig Lofseth won by riding her own power and escaping the group, proving solo patience can beat reactive tactics.
- The bike split created decisive gaps that determined final podium positions.
Kona Now Favors Powerful Bikers
- Kona's race outcome correlated strongly with bike speed: the fastest bike spliters finished highest.
- For future Kona contenders, having elite bike legs is now essential.