New Zealand’s Hannah Berry cemented her place amongst the world’s best triathletes with a fourth-place finish at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, the best finish for a Kiwi female in nearly 20 years.

Berry crossed the line in 8:46:25, behind new IRONMAN World Champion Solveig Løvseth of Norway, who was joined on the podium by Kat Matthews (GBR) and defending champion Laura Philipp (GER) after what was a race of attrition.

The 35-year-old from Mount Maunganui was 10th at last year’s IMWC in Nice and this fourth place was the best finish for a New Zealand female since Jo Lawn filled the same place in 2007.

‘Emotional talking about it’

“I probably need a bit of time to process this to be honest, it’s unexpected and I’m probably going to get a little emotional talking about it,” said Berry. “I had to fight really hard for it as expected, it’s a result that I’m really proud of which is really cool.

“It was super humid, I wonder if that played a part in the crazy dynamics of the race today, I just tried to play it smart, you have to be so aware of how you’re feeling in this race because the conditions are so brutal. I just made the most of the aid stations and heaps of ice, heaps of water, and tried to race my race as I always do and it paid off,” she said.

Berry also paid tribute to one of her idols Erin Baker, who finished second in the race in 1993.

“Erin’s a legend in the sport, not just because she’s an incredible athlete but she’s an incredible human, someone that I very much look up to so that’s pretty special,” said Berry. “I think I retired about 500 times out there today, it’s so cool to represent New Zealand on the world stage, I’ve had so many messages, so much support from back home, it means so much.”

Chipping away

Berry came out of the water following the 3.8km swim in 10th, just over a minute behind Charles-Barclay. Once onto the bike Berry found herself in amongst a strong group of athletes, including eventual podium finishers Matthews and Philipp.

The Kiwi athlete came off the bike in sixth position, well and truly in the mix as the oppressive conditions began to take their toll. The multiple-time IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 race winner got into her rhythm early on the marathon, settling into a steady pace and chipping away at the kilometres.

As Berry pushed on those around her began to falter, with longtime race leaders Charles-Barclay – the 2023 IRONMAN World Champion – and Taylor Knibb – a three-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion – both forced to retire during the latter stages of the run.

In a race to the wire, eventual winner Løvseth finished just 35 seconds ahead of Matthews in second – the third closest finish in IRONMAN World Championship history.