Search
shop

‘So far no one has been able to break the lucky hat’: Iden flying high

He sealed Team Europe's victory and Gustav Iden had many other positives to take out of the Collins Cup
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Few things are certain in triathlon, and while it may have seemed more than likely Team Europe would retain their Collins Cup trophy, nothing was certain until Gustav Iden crossed the line to clinch the points that secured victory for his side. 

His race, as with those from so many of his fellow Europeans, was brutally efficient, sensationally executed and all-but-decided from the moment they exited the water. 

“It was good,” Iden said, assessing his race. “I’m not used to leading the swim, but I actually had to do that today so that was pretty different for me. 

“I tried to just break the morale of my two competitors from the start of the bike, so I opened pretty hard. Then the heavy wind really kicked off at the last part of the bike… but I made it to the finish line.” 

Advertisement

Prophetic glory

Collins Cup 2022 Gustav Iden photo credit Darren Wheeler and PTO
[Photo credit: Darren Wheeler / PTO]

Iden and Europe’s imminent glory was something he had openly flaunted. While others may be cautious to tempt fates in such a manner, Iden oozes the confidence of a competitor who feels that he is in full control of his destiny, rather than the other way around. 

“I said before the start that I guessed my six points will get the trophy,” he said. “Here we are now with Team Europe as the winner once again. Congrats to Europe!” 

And, while he may have been grasping a European flag as he crossed the finish line, Iden’s performance also had something to do with the other side of the world. 

His now-lucky race cap comes all the way from Taiwan by way of Japan, found discarded on a Tokyo street and bearing the name of Shunze Temple in Taiwan. 

“So far no one has been able to break the lucky hat,” he smiled. “We’ll see how far it can go.” 

Patrick Ryan
Written by
Patrick Ryan
Patrick is a major contributor to TRI247 and RUN247. A keen hiker and wide experience in sports journalism, he has covered Olympics, Commonwealth Games.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...