The men’s professional race at this Saturday’s ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in the event’s 42-year history, with Olympians, IRONMAN champions, and rising long course stars all arriving in Taupō for the opening round of the 2026 Pro Series.
And for the first time in more than a decade, Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) will race on New Zealand soil – but this time as one of the most decorated athletes the sport has ever seen. The Olympic gold medallist, IRONMAN World Champion, IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, and reigning IRONMAN Pro Series winner arrives in Taupō with characteristic hunger and an ambition to stamp authority early in the season.
Blu looking to bank points
Blummenfelt’s domination of the 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series was built on his ability to repeatedly perform at the highest level under pressure. It’s that aspect of the series – consistency, depth, and head-to-head racing against the world’s best – that he says energised him through a demanding season.
“What I enjoyed the most about the Pro Series is that it’s bringing the best of the best together, not just the IRONMAN World Championship, but the whole season,” said Blummenfelt. “Every race last year was a challenge in itself, and every race felt like a championship field race. And with every second counting, it’s critical to perform well over the full IRONMAN races.”
Choosing Taupō as his opening IRONMAN of 2026 was a calculated decision. It gives him the chance to bank a full-distance result early, freeing space later in the year for sharper preparation toward Kona while keeping him competitive in the IRONMAN Pro Series standings.
“Hopefully I can cross out one solid IRONMAN already in early March, which gives me more space for planning and combining the Pro Series with hopefully racing better in the World Championship comparison to what I did last year,” said Blummenfelt.
He may be new to IRONMAN New Zealand, but the Norwegian is under no illusions about what it means to race on Kiwi soil. The combination of home favourites, early season form, and the country’s deep triathlon heritage makes this race a tough proving ground.
“The New Zealand and Australia athletes tend to be in great shape early season as they are coming out of their summer season and combining that with racing at home makes it even harder,” he said. “Also, with New Zealand having such a rich history in the sport, both from winning Olympic medals to having the second oldest IRONMAN event in the world, says a lot about what community there is here and how the locals are supporting the event and the athletes.”
Blummenfelt has made no secret that the 5,000 points and the win are the target – but he’s also intrigued by how he’ll measure up against the field’s other powerful cyclists and fast runners.
“I would like to show to myself that I’m riding better over the 180km distance early in the season compared to what I did last year. There are some really strong cyclists turning up here, especially Rasmus Svenningsson, and I’m interested to see how I compare to him, and how my run legs will be off the bike. Pierre Le Corre is a dark horse for the run. He smashed me on the run last time we raced together in Paris 2024, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. But of course, I’m going for the win and the 5,000 points that comes with it,” said Blummenfelt.
Phillips going for win number four
Few athletes know IRONMAN New Zealand as well as Mike Phillips (NZL). Last year, the Christchurch athlete delivered a standout performance, lowering the course record to 7:45:47 and claiming his third IRONMAN New Zealand title. In 2026, the challenge is even greater: a deeper field, the addition of the IRONMAN Pro Series, and a host of athletes capable of reshaping the race dynamics.
Phillips’ 2025 season was a lesson in resilience. He opened the year strongly before battling a series of injuries which forced him to repeatedly reset. Now healthy, he’s eager to rebuild momentum.
“I started the season really well last year but ended up with a number of setbacks and broken bones which resulted in having to constantly pivot. I hope to start the year strongly again and then pursue the IRONMAN Pro Series with eyes back on Kona,” said Phillips.
With the field strengthened by IRONMAN Pro Series inclusion, Phillips is aware that a winning performance on Saturday will likely require going beyond last year’s historic mark.
“I think it will take a world-class performance to win and there are a number of guys capable of that. The bike course looks slightly tougher, but with a hill removed from the run I wouldn’t be surprised to see the record under pressure,” he said.
Phillips is one of the strongest cyclists in the sport on his day, and the changes to this year’s IRONMAN New Zealand bike course and the introduction of the 20-metre draft zone could work in his favour.
“With the tweaks plus the 20-metre rule, it probably leans even more toward strong riders. We could see the race quite spread out heading into the run, but also some tired legs, which should make for a really exciting and unpredictable day,” said Phillips.
Fresh start for Smith
For Taupō local Kyle Smith, Saturday marks a return to full distance IRONMAN racing for the first time since October 2022. It’s a challenge that excites him after a year of injury and illness – with the opportunity to qualify for and race at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona a major factor behind the decision to go long again.
“Training is going really well since my shoulder break, and I feel like I’m in good shape. So I’m excited to see how it goes,” said Smith.
“I’m coming back to IRONMAN because I feel like Kona is the big goal this season and I am really excited by the distance and I’m on a journey of discovery with my return to IRONMAN – especially kicking it off here in Taupō. It’s a place that is super special to me and it’s such an honour to race at home and bring some amazing athletes here to Taupō to race.”
A podium and a Kona slot are the goals – achievable targets if Smith can combine patience in the early stages with the front‑foot racing he’s known for.
“I’m keen to build throughout this year, start here and build towards the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship [in Nice, France] and IRONMAN World Championship in Kona with one eye looking at the Pro Series,” he said. “A successful day for me this weekend would be a podium and a Kona slot in hand.”
Beyond Blummenfelt, Phillips, and Smith, quality in the men’s field runs deep. Swedish powerhouse Rasmus Svenningsson brings bike power and enters already qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship, while American Trevor Foley, after an inconsistent 2025, is chasing a return to his 2024 breakthrough form.
France’s Pierre Le Corre, a two-time Olympian, is the wildcard – an IRONMAN debutant with blistering run speed that could rewrite the marathon narrative, and German Fred Funk has the capability to pull off something special.
Full men’s start list
| Bib Number | First Name | Last Name | Country |
| M1 | Mike | Phillips | NZL |
| M2 | Kristian | Blummenfelt | NOR |
| M3 | Rasmus | Svenningsson | SWE |
| M4 | Trevor | Foley | USA |
| M5 | Henrik | Goesch | FIN |
| M6 | Matt | Hanson | USA |
| M7 | Jack | Moody | NZL |
| M8 | Ben | Hamilton | NZL |
| M9 | Kyle | Smith | NZL |
| M10 | Pierre | Le Corre | FRA |
| M11 | Frederic | Funk | DEU |
| M12 | Mitchell | Kibby | AUS |
| M14 | Sam | Osborne | NZL |
| M15 | Jack | Sosinski | AUS |
| M16 | Yvan | Jarrige | FRA |
| M17 | Andy | Krueger | USA |
| M18 | Nathan | Dortmann | AUS |
| M19 | Tom | Somerville | NZL |
| M20 | Matt | Kerr | NZL |
| M21 | Calvin | Amos | AUS |
| M22 | Jamie | Hayes | USA |
| M24 | Robert | Huisman | NZL |
| M25 | David | Martin | CZE |
