Lucy Charles-Barclay has been receiving congratulatory messages from a plethora of long-distance triathlon legends after her magnificent IRONMAN World Championship victory in Kona on Saturday.
Among the plaudits came a very special message from former Danish star and 2018 ITU Long Distance Champion Helle Frederiksen, who was simply blown away by the manner in which Lucy destroyed one of the deepest Ironman fields ever assembled.
Helle believes Charles-Barclay’s terrific all-round display deserves to be placed among the pantheon of great performances on the Big Island. In fact she thinks it might be the best ever.
“Flawless, tenacious, commanding”
Frederiksen, who competed for Denmark at the 2012 London Olympic Games, was full of praise for the Brit in a post on social media following the race, calling Charles-Barclay an inspiration to a number of women and lavishing high praise on her performance.
“Flawless, tenacious, commanding. Lucy Charles-Barclay, what an end-to-end display of racing class. Arguably the greatest combined swim, bike, run display our sport has seen in Kona. To step up to the start line, after a season shadowed by injury and broken bones, in itself, is where many don’t pull through.
“Being a 4-times runner-up at this race, is pressure few will understand. You’ve risen above it all. You’ve silenced any doubters. You’ve dominated in Kona when few predicted that you would. There is going to be a generation of women, and also those who are now in their younger years, that will be champions (and battle braid lovers) inspired by what you have done today and through your career to date.
LCB a role model all can follow
“This is what our sport needs; role models, professionals who give it all, and personalities who perform on and off the race course. Congrats Lucy, you and your team deserve this so much. To the team that surrounds Lucy; Reece, Holly, Parents, Evan, Dan and Co, chapeau to you all!”
Just like British successes in triathlon before it, Charles-Barclay and the story of her determination will undoubtedly go on to inspire a new wave of triathletes in the United Kingdom and further afield, young and old. Frederiksen perfectly captured the character of Charles-Barclay and her distinguished work as a role model, which forms part of a legacy that will continue for years to come.
