KAILUA-KONA — It’s hard to take Daniela Ryf seriously when she says to expect the unexpected at the Ironman World Championship, simply because the Swiss star hasn’t left a lot of room for surprises the last four years.
Ryf has dominated the Big Island’s iconic 140.6-mile triathlon (2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run) in record-setting fashion, standing tall atop the women’s podium the last four times out with little competition.
Last year, Ryf’s reign was threatened early when a jellyfish stung her in the swim. But instead of succumbing to the curveball from Mother Nature, she knocked it out of the park. Ryf shook off the pain and reeled off the fastest time ever recorded in the women’s race, breaking the tape on Alii Drive in 8 hours, 26 minutes and 18 seconds — bettering the previous course-record she set in 2016 by more than 20 minutes.
“Things happen out there,” Ryf said during a press conference Thursday. “That’s racing. You never know what’s going to happen. It’s a long day and you have to overcome little problems. That’s what keeps it interesting.”
Ryf is fresh off winning the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France in September — her 9th overall Ironman world championship. But as her resume grows, Ryf maintains she’s only focused on the race in front of her.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter how many titles you win,” she said. “It’s the performance which matters. Last year, I had a fantastic performance that I’m really proud of. I’ll look back and always remember that race.
“When not everything goes perfect and you overcome it, that’s what makes me really proud. And also that feeling of having a flow and going really fast is one of the best feelings you can ever have. If I can show that on Saturday, then I’ll be happy. If someone else is faster, then well done on her.”
Among her competitors will be three-time Kona champ Mirinda Carfrae, whose last title came in 2014. Her last podium finish came in 2016 when she finished second to Ryf.
“That top step [of the podium] is a magical place and I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to be atop it three times,” Carfrae said. “I’m a competitor. I’m here to race and put my best performance out on race day and race against the best in the world. Wherever I end up, I know I’ll be proud of that performance. I’d love for it to be on one of those steps, but we’ll have to wait and see. Not too long now.”
Great Britan’s Lucy Charles-Barclay has finished second the last two times out, but is coming off a disappointing fifth place finish at the 70.3 world championships in France. But thanks to the loss, Charles-Barclay has trained inspired, with her sights set on Kona, hoping to become the first the first British champ since Leanda Cave did it in 2012.
“I could have easily took my foot off the gas after Nice and had a nice rest before this. But from the day after that I got on the turbo and the fire was burning in my belly for Kona,” Charles-Barclay said. “I’ve worked really, really hard for this race so I’m excited to come here and race in my best shape possible and hopefully put down a great performance.”
Charles-Barclay doesn’t play chase often, with the swim being her strongest discipline. Last year, she set a new swim record with 48:14 – a record that was previously untouched since 1991.
Defending men’s champion Patrick Lange has also set the bar high for himself in Kona. Last year, the two-time champ became the first athlete to break the eight-hour mark, clocking a time of 7:52:39. With another win this year, he can join an elite club of three-time champs and become the first German athlete to do so.
“It’s in the back of my mind,” Lange admitted. “But at the end of the day you have to get to the finish line first and execute the best race you have in your tank. That’s what I’m focusing on right now. Whatever happens after, happens after.”
His fellow countryman Jan Frodeno will be looking to end his streak and reclaim the Kona crown for the first time since 2016. Frodeno missed last year’s race with an injury, but is eager to get back on the course.
“It was an interesting year — a hard year. Having to sit on the sideline and watching a race that made history is definitely not my favorite way to spend a day,” Frodeno said. “The beauty about Ironman is all the predictions come in during the week … But really, the most fascinating thing for all of us athletes is just getting to that start line and seeing how it unfolds. It will be a very, very good race to watch.”