Patrik Nilsson on Cozumel DNF, hails Blummenfelt ‘new standard’

Patrik Nilsson has outlined the reasons for his DNF at IRONMAN Cozumel on Sunday, and hailed the “new standard” set by Kristian Blummenfelt.

The 30-year-old Swede was right with the brilliant Norwegian for most of a blistering bike leg in Mexico, before he started to experience physical problems.

Nilsson Cozumel debrief

Those problems would see him exit the race early on the run, and afterwards in an Instagram post he revealed: “Felt good until 170km on the bike and then a cramping glute and quads made the last 14k a struggle.”

“Lost ~9min, made the slowest transition in my career and started the run, but after 5km I had to pull the plug when I couldn’t run… Obviously frustrating with the time that could have been possible, but that’s how it goes when the body says no…”

Patrik on ‘Big Blu’

Nilsson, while disappointed not to finish on a day where rapid times were everywhere on the course, was classy in hailing the incredible achievement of Blummefelt, who posted a new fastest ever time for an iron-distance race – a mind-blowing 7:21:12.

“Amazing to follow @kristianblu from first position towards a new WR…,” he said.

“I believe there’s a new time for long distance triathlon and some long distance athletes getting sweaty. I still remember when a sub 8hr IM or a 3hr marathon was good, this is the new standard… “