Chelsea Sodaro was amongst the first professional triathletes to get their season underway a fortnight ago, when the American triathlon star finished second at the Tauranga Half in New Zealand.

The PTO World #11, who only finished three races last year, will line up for her second race of the season at the beginning of next month when she headlines the women’s field at IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania.

Having won one of the sport’s biggest crowns in Kona in 2022, Sodaro shared why she’d made the decision to come to Oceania for the first part of the season and how she hopes the tough fields Down Under will help her get back to her best.

“I wanted to get back to racing earlier this season”

Despite a rollercoaster season, Sodaro finished 2023 strongly, picking up third at the PTO Tour Asian Open before finishing sixth at the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona.

However, in her quest to get back to the top of the sport this year, Sodaro left the Northern Hemisphere winter behind and joined coach Dr Dan Plews in New Zealand, where she has spent the past few weeks training.

“I wanted to get back to racing earlier this season and New Zealand and Australia provided that opportunity. I love the triathlon community and I expect IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania to be a super fun event.

“I’m feeling well, I’m enjoying my time in this hemisphere and it will be great to take on the hills of Hobart soon. This will be my first time in Tasmania, I hear that it’s a stunning part of the world.”

“I’m looking to test myself against awesome competition and see where I’m at this early in the season,”