Search
shop

Excitement key to success for Taylor Knibb as American clinches second world title

Taylor Knibb reacts to her second consecutive title at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

After winning her second consecutive IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship title this morning in Finland, Taylor Knibb explained that for her, being excited to race is the key indicator of a strong upcoming performance.

The young American star, who just recently qualified for her second Olympic Team at the Paris Test Event, shared that despite a number of doubters criticising her August schedule that included races over the Olympic, 100km and middle distance, she is very happy with her decisions.

After a stellar month, Knibb did not reveal what her next races would be, but with a slot in Kona at the IRONMAN World Championships in October available to her, might we see the PTO World #2 debut over the full distance?

Advertisement

“I am grateful it’s over”

In her post-race interview, Knibb highlighted just how excited she had been to come to Finland and defend her title but also added that after a long day out on a punishing course, she was equally as happy to have finished the race and put in a strong performance.

Taylor Knibb IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships 2023
[Photo Credit – Nigel Roddis Getty Images for IRONMAN]

“I have been really excited for this race, I think I woke up at 6:30am yesterday and my alarm was for 7:45am and I was just thinking to myself, I’m ready, I could race today. I am grateful it’s over, but I am also grateful to have done it and that I managed to have a good race.

“If you look online, at the maps, there’s a little more elevation gain, around 700m of elevation gain on the bike and it’s punchy, so it zaps your legs and I think I took the run out a little too hard, so it’s a long day and I was grateful to make it to the finish line and to be here.” 

Reflecting on the past month, which started with victory in Milwaukee and was capped off in tremendous fashion in Finland, Knibb recounted how after starting her season with surgery, she was extremely happy to have achieved what she had set out to do.

“I think the Olympic qualification was the season focus and was what I needed to do this year, as I had surgery at the beginning of the year and so to be able to tick off August, where some people were questioning why I was racing.

“I was excited about the month [of racing in August] and if I am racing from a place that excites me then I think that’s what makes me perform at my best.” 

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...