Solveig Løvseth has reassured fans that she is “doing okay” after the distressing final stages of her IRONMAN World Championship title defence in Kona.

The Norwegian appeared on course for victory before suddenly becoming unable to run and struggling even to stand inside the last mile.

Taylor Knibb passed her to reclaim the lead and win, while Løvseth eventually regained her feet and made it across the finish line in eighth to an extraordinary reception.

Now she has thanked everyone who offered support, explained how abruptly her condition changed and admitted she still does not know exactly what happened.

‘From one second to another’

Perhaps the most striking part of Løvseth’s account is how little warning she felt before her race unravelled.

“Yesterday was a really weird day,” she said.

“I felt actually really good on the run and felt really in control. From one second to another, I went from feeling in control to not being able to stand up at all.”

Løvseth had moved into the lead with around 8km remaining, passing Knibb as the American struggled. Her advantage subsequently grew to just over a minute.

Even with less than a mile left, she appeared close to completing a successful defence of the title she won on debut in 2025.

Then came a sudden and devastating change.

“I still don’t know exactly what happened – probably some sort of overheating, but I guess I need to try to look into that,” she explained.

“But I’m feeling much better now and just wanted to tell everyone that I’m doing okay.”

‘I just did not want to DNF’

After Knibb went past, Laura Philipp and Julie Derron also overtook Løvseth as she struggled to continue.

She was seen back on her feet, attempting to walk towards the finish, before going down again. The immediate concern was her wellbeing rather than the positions she was losing.

Remarkably, she eventually got moving once more and reached the line in 9:02:08.

Asked why she had got up rather than stayed down, Løvseth offered a revealing answer.

“I don’t know. I guess I feel like I have been saying all week in interviews that I am not that competitive,” she said.

“But I guess I am a little bit competitive. I just did not want to DNF.”

Her eighth place also secured second in the final IRONMAN Pro Series standings and its $130,000 bonus, although the relief at seeing her finish – and now hearing that she is feeling better – carried far greater significance.

‘The tables have turned’

The ending brought an extraordinary reversal of the previous year’s race.

In 2025, Knibb’s late collapse had helped open the door for Løvseth to win. This time, the defending champion’s difficulties came within sight of victory, allowing Knibb to take her first IRONMAN World Championship title.

Løvseth was generous towards the athlete who had passed her.

“I was really, really happy to see Taylor win yesterday,” she said.

“It’s sort of funny how you can say the tables have turned and it just ended up with the opposite scenario from last year.”

Knibb had explained afterwards that her own experience in 2025 shaped her response when Løvseth caught her. Rather than sustain a battle she felt she could not manage, she concentrated on cooling, taking on nutrition and reaching the finish safely.

For Løvseth, the hope now is that a future contest between them can have a happier ending for both.

“Hopefully next time we will both get to the finish line.”

Support that ‘means a lot’

Alongside explaining her experience, Løvseth wanted to acknowledge the response she had received.

“I’d just like to thank everyone for the support I got yesterday and for all the messages,” she said.

“Just in general, I felt a lot of love this past day and it means a lot to me.”