Search
shop

Team USA suffer trying to catch Norwegian hype train

Trying to keep pace with Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden can have costly consequences
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

It was tough sledding for Team USA during the second Collins Cup, zero race wins from 12 and the dishonour of taking home the broken spokes trophy.

Matt Hanson and Ben Kanute had particularly tough days as they came up against Norweigan duo of Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden in their individual races – and both had remarkably similar tales to tell.

Defending Olympic and IRONMAN World Champion Blummenfelt blew the opposition away in Match 7, defeating Team Internationals Hayden Wilde by eight minutes, 14 seconds and Kanute by 11 minutes, 58 seconds.

And to put Blummenfelt’s time of 3:09:19 into context, it was comfortably the fastest of the day (Iden was next best) and the only one under the 3:10 mark.

Advertisement

Paying for ‘being aggressive’

Ben Kanute Collins Cup photo credit PTO
A tough day out for Ben Kanute [Photo credit: PTO]

Kanute posted on Instagram after the race: “Both a fun day out, and a sufferfest.

“Thought I had a gap and the guys on the ropes the first half of the bike, but @kristianblu was strong on the back half, and made a move around 2/3rds of the way through.

“Held on for a little, but paid for being aggressive early, and was able to just survive another 18km run.

“Not really happy with the result, but way better than my last few races. I felt like myself again until I blew up, but progress is progress.”

‘On the up’

Hanson suffered a similar fate in his matchup against Iden, although he did secure second place, albeit seven minutes, 47 seconds off the pace of his Norwegian adversary. Hanson finished 13 and a half minutes ahead of the ailing Jackson Laundry.

“The second running of @thecollinscuptri is in the bag. Overall, I had a…day,” Hanson documented on Instagram

“Really happy with the swim, biked hard the first 60 mins trying to stay in contact with @gustav_iden and paid the price the last 30 mins on the bike and was fighting off cramps the entire run.

“It was the right card to play, but just didn’t have the fitness built back to hold it. A far cry better than Edmonton last month, so on the up and up.

“Although it was a tough day for the Stars and Stripes, I was happy to come in second in my wave.

“Congrats to Gustav on another stellar performance. Huge thank you to the @professionaltriathletesorg for making this event happen.

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
TRI-FIT VORTEX men's tri suit
Beyond marginal gains: A deep dive into the making of TRI-FIT’s most ambitious and advanced tri suit to date
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Alistair Brownlee bike penalty T100 Ibiza 2024 Photo credit PTO
PremiumWhat’s the most aero way to carry water on your triathlon bike?
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
Olympic champ says “story isn’t over” after surgery to remove Haglund’s deformity
Hayden Wilde New Plymouth 2023 photo credit Cameron Mackenzie / World Triathlon
Olympic and then world title on home soil for Hayden Wilde in 2028? It’s come a step closer…
Matt Hanson IRONMAN Cairns run 2025
American star on the costly lessons learned from THREE Ironmans in FIVE weeks
Sam Laidlow bike IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Laidlow and Skipper hail anti-drafting progress – but highlight bigger issues
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...