Search
shop

‘Broken and brutal’ – Big Blu reflects on third at Kona 2022

He didn't retain the IMWC title he won in St George, but Kristian Blummenfelt gave everything he had in Hawaii
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Such is the level in modern triathlon that what would have been a run course record (2:39:21) and a course record (7:43:23) ‘only’ earned World Triathlon, Olympic and 2021 IRONMAN World Champion, Kristian Blummenfelt, third place on Saturday as the IRONMAN World Championship returned to Kona, Hawaii.

That’s what happens of course when you measure against those records pre-race, as by the time Blummenfelt returned to Ali’i Drive, Gustav Iden had run even faster to set new standards.

Sam Laidlow couldn’t be caught either, as he destroyed the bike course en-route to second.

Advertisement

Gustav was flying

For one (brief) moment it looked as though it would be Kristian setting off in pursuit of the long-time leader, but Big Blu explained that he knew he was under pressure.

“That was a brutal run. I knew Gustav would be fast on the run, and he was just flying. I tried to do whatever I could by being tactical, not taking any pulls there on the run and just hope that I had something left. Coming out of the Energy Lab I got a little gap through an aid station, but I guess he just let me believe that I had a chance. I gave it a go, but I guess he was just playing me up there and boom, he went.”

gustav-iden-kristian-blummenfelt-kona-2022-run-2
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

“We were pushing hard and Magnus was surging once in a while. We went up to Hawi quite hard but I felt alright when I started running, it’s just that the pace was a few seconds too fast for me. I just tried to hand on.”

Praise for Laidlow

The Norwegian duo have earned the right to the confidence that they typically display. Their results prove that. You can’t win them all however, and the Olympic champion was very impressed with the 23-year-old Frenchman, Laidlow:

“I thought we would be able to catch Sam, but he was just running so well and extremely well done to him for getting into second.”

“We sort of let Sam go (Ed. on the bike] because I thought it would be a battle between me and Gustav. I was very surprised when we got feedback that he was five minutes up front, so that he was really smashing it hard on the bike there back on the Queen K and really running well. I thought that we would catch him but he was running so well, especially the last half, the same as Gustav and so one and three for the team isn’t too bad. I’m happy to make it on the podium, but that was tough.

“40 minutes post-race and still broken. It’s a tough one, and I guess tomorrow is going to be tough too.”

sam-laidlow-kristian-blummenfelt-kona-2022-run-finish
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
triathletes exiting water into t1
Creatine for endurance athletes – expert sports nutritionist on the benefits of creatine in endurance sport
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
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
MAGIC5 goggles
THEMAGIC5 goggles review – do these custom swimming goggles actually work?
latest News
Cassandre Beaugrand wins T1 Indoor Triathlon World Cup Lievin 2025
Triathlon superstar Cassandre Beaugrand returns to the scene of her gold-medal glory next month
Sam Laidlow wins T100 London 2024 photo credit PTO
IRONMAN World Champion Sam Laidlow opens up on prize money in triathlon
Challenge Salou 2025 Elisabetta Curridori Finish Line
Challenge Salou results 2025: Anne Haug a DNF as Curridori and Davis claim brilliant wins
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside Finish Line 2025
‘I knew that if I let him taste blood, I would be done’ – Sanders on how he repelled Long at St. George
Paula Findlay wins ironman 703 st george 2025 photo credit Getty Images for Ironman
IRONMAN 70.3 St. George women’s results: Findlay defends title after dramatic Lopes exit
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...