Search
shop

Paula Findlay reveals key to IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga masterclass after big win

Paula Findlay may have dominated but there was also plenty for Danielle Lewis and Jeanni Metzler to take out of IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

All three women on the podium at IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga on Sunday had plenty to smile about and despite it being one of the strongest fields of the season, there was a dominant winner in Paula Findlay.

Second in the race last year, she always looked like going one better after powering clear on the bike and maintaining her advantage on the run.

She crossed the line more than five minutes ahead of Danielle Lewis, who just pipped Jeanni Metzler for third.

‘You never know what to expect’

And in her post-race interview, Findlay said: “I never take it for granted winning a race. It’s really, really hard these days with the level of women’s racing, and so I’m super happy.

“It’s one of my favourite races. That’s why I came back. It wasn’t perfect timing with everything, all the travel I’ve done, but I made it a priority and I had a lot of fun out there,” she said in reference to the fact that over the last three weeks she’s taken in the PTO European Open in Ibiza where she was fifth as well as winning St. Anthony’s Triathlon in Florida.

In terms of tactics, it was a question of not letting up all day: “The bike course is really rolling and pretty fun. You can kind of hold power through the whole thing. And that was my goal today, not to coast the downhills, just to kind of stay on it the whole time and get a big gap as possible so that I didn’t have to run so hard. So that’s kind of how it turned out.  

“It’s a really strong field, and I haven’t raced many of these women yet this year, so you really never know what to expect. And I knew I’d be kind of pushed all day, and there’s a lot of strong runners out there, but I respect all of them. I think they’ve all beaten me at some point, so it is a really competitive field. Chattanooga always attracts a good field.”

Paula Findlay Danielle Lewis Jeanni Metzler IRONMAN 703 Chattanooga podium 2023 [Photo credit: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images for IRONMAN]
[Photo credit: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images for IRONMAN]

New ground for Lewis

That was echoed by Lewis, who was racing for the fourth time since the start of April and continued her upward progress with the runner-up spot after a sixth, a fifth and a third – only bagging the silver medal in the last mile when she ran past Metzler.

Lewis said: “It was a very hard day. This was the first race of my career where I really felt like I was in the race. I didn’t know I was biking as fast as I was until I saw the massive group up ahead of me and I was like, okay, I just got to go right now and make a move. And so I did that.

“And so that set me up for a good position on the run. But it was a very hard run. I’m running against women that have incredible resumes, are very fast and very strong. I have so much respect for them and had to really fight and stay in the mix. I’m very proud of myself.”

Good to be back in the ring

While disappointed to miss out on second, Metzler was very much looking at the bigger picture aspect when we caught up with her afterwards. She won IRONMAN 70.3 St George a fortnight ago on her comeback after a difficult 18 months and is delighted to be back and enjoying her racing again.

She told us: “It was a great day out there today. I was kind of on the fence going into this race. I didn’t know how I would pull up after St George, but I’m really glad that I raced.

“It was a really strong, competitive, woman’s field, and every time I get the chance to race the best in the world, it really gets the most out of me. And I was really able to push myself and it was a great opportunity to see truly where my fitness is and how I stack up against the best.

Obviously, it was tough to get passed right at the end but I’m super grateful to be healthy and racing again and to get on the podium in this field.

“It’s just good to go back and see what I can do better going forward as I build my fitness back. I haven’t raced very consistently the past year, so it’s just really good to put myself back in the ring and I’m just looking forward to improving on some things that I did today – it was fun to battle it out with some really strong women.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee says “I’ve still got it” after roaring back to action with terrific Toronto win
Superstar Hayden Wilde reveals decision day for potential comeback at T100 London
Sam Laidlow wins IRONMAN Leeds 2025
IRONMAN Leeds 2025: Laidlow validates Nice spot in perfect style with another win
Paula Findlay wins IRONMAN Boise 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Boise results 2025: Findlay and Appleton the Idaho stars
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Supertri Toronto 2025 men’s results: Stunning triathlon return from Olympic champ Alex Yee
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.

£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

£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...