‘I want to do this all over again’ – Currie eyes Kona re-run after DNF

Braden Currie says he will target the IRONMAN World Championship again in 2023 after he failed to finish this year’s race.

The New Zealander came into the iconic event off the back of an impressive third at the delayed 2021 race in St George but was hampered by illness in the build-up.

Currie, who has twice recorded top 10 finishes in Hawaii, pushed through to start, but began suffering on the bike leg and ultimately called it a day.

DNF dismay

“DNF or DNS? – That was the question I was asking myself yesterday!” he wrote on Instagram. “I couldn’t decide which one was better or worse.

“But with a small sliver of hope that the body might come right overnight, I decided that DNF had a bit of a ring to it, and it was worth a crack.

Third placed finisher Braden Currie sits on podium at St George photo credit IRONMAN
Braden Currie finished in third place at the 2021 IRONMAN World Championships in St George in May. [Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN]

“After going through the paces of the race and even though I found myself in a good position on the swim and early on in the bike, I couldn’t go any harder than I was and I knew the wheels were going to fall off.”

The 36-year-old says he has been able to brush off the disappointment and has already set his sights on the 2023 edition.

“After pulling the pin, I was able to have a laugh with my coach on the long drive home and feel like I still want to do this all over again next year,” he added.

Huge momentum

Currie also heaped praise on the top performers at Kona, four of whom broke the previous course record, as well as the event itself.

“I am really stoked for the guys who pushed it at the front today and came home in record times,” he said.

“This sport has huge momentum right now and IRONMAN put on a great show this week. I enjoyed watching the day unfold even if I was gutted to not be there racing it.

“I look forward to being back racing but for now I am looking forward to heading home after five months with my team.”

Latest News
Jan Frodeno Zwift Tri Battle Royale 2021
No GOAT: Jan Frodeno is ruled OUT of Oceanside 70.3 return
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2022: Men's podium - Jackson Laundry, Lionel Sanders, Rudy Von Berg
Laundry prepared to defend title against top field at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside
Thor Bendix Madsen - IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 - run
Thor Bendix Madsen puts season on hold
Alex Yee Marten Van Riel copyright Darren Wheeler SLT
“One more shot” at Olympic glory for Marten Van Riel in Paris
Mike Phillips winning the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong [Photo credit: Korupt Vision]
PTO World Rankings: Phillips and Thek main movers after weekend Down Under