It may only have been a line long but there’s been a potentially significant – and welcome – update from Jan Frodeno.

The three-time IRONMAN World Championship winner at Kona has been working his way back to full fitness after a frustrating 2022 which ended in July at Challenge Roth, where he led the way before exiting the race early on the run.

The year was blighted by an Achilles issue, a knee problem and then a bike crash which led to a serious infection in his hip, necessitating a spell in hospital.

But the great news is that all seems to be going well judging by his Instagram post which read: “Between 6k swim sets with JR [Ed. John Rodgers] in Noosa and now swimming at altitude in Andorra, I feel about almost ready to get this season off to a start.”

Challenge clue?

The modern-day GOAT, who also has an Olympic gold medal, two 70.3 world titles and much, much more on his CV, has been sorely missed at top end of the sport.

So the very fact he feels he’s close to a return is hugely positive – and he’s not an athlete who just eases into any race.

The big question now is where will the comeback race be – and how big a clue are the photos he’s added to the post, which appear to be from Challenge Gran Canaria?

His last appearance in that event saw him take the win in 2021 and this year’s renewal is on April 22nd.

It all comes hot on the heels on an encouraging update from Alistair Brownlee, the man who succeeded Frodeno as Olympic champion. Here’s hoping both are back on a start line soon.