Search
shop

What makes Taylor tick? Knibb on learning from experiences, Kona and Nice 2024

Taylor Knibb on her 2023 season, the IMWC in Kona and looking ahead to Nice next year.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Having proven herself to be one of the most versatile athletes in the world this season, Taylor Knibb can look forward to a season full of opportunities to test herself against the best next year.

The American, who defended her IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship title in August, also secured selection for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris and made her debut over the full distance in Kona during an action packed second half of the season.

Debriefing her sensational schedule on the Talking Triathlon podcast, Knibb spoke about the importance of keeping an element of fun in her racing, competing in Kona for the first time and her thoughts on future IRONMAN World Championship title attempts.

Advertisement

“It’s part of the fun”

Finishing the season ranked PTO World #3 after wins at IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder, the PTO Tour US Open and the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Knibb only missed the podium in one long distance race, finishing fourth in Kona.

Taylor Knibb IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Bike Leg
American triathlete Taylor Knibb during the bike leg of the 2023 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii (Getty Images for IRONMAN).

Reflecting on her performance on the Big Island, Knibb says that despite being forced to walk on the marathon, the race taught her a lot and is all part of the process towards eventually achieving success over the distance.

“I think it’s part of the fun [racing]. Unfortunately, when it’s your job, you kind of lose that sight, but I try to keep it in and I would prefer to have something like Kona, where in a way I feel like I fell flat on my face, walking on the Queen K, versus not even lining up, because that’s a little more painful.

“You just don’t know if you never line up and in terms of learning, I didn’t win my first WTCS race and I didn’t win my first IRONMAN 70.3 Worlds. In order to get to the results you what to get, sometimes you have to have some very humbling learning experiences.” 

“I will be on the start line if I can”

Looking ahead to next year’s World Championship in Nice, Knibb highlighted the close proximity of the race to the Olympics as a reason she may not make the start line, whilst also stating that the technical nature of the bike course means the race in the South of France requires additional time to train.

“If I only have 53 days between Paris and Nice, there might not be time to build up that muscular strength [required for an IRONMAN] and then to run a marathon off the bike, but I don’t know, so we’ll see. If it works out, great, but if I doesn’t, I hope it’s still a great race.” 

With regards to her long term goals, the American underlined that winning Kona in 2025 is a big dream and if Nice can help her prepare for that race, she will do her best to be on the start line.

“If racing Nice next year helps me in the build for Kona 2025, then I will be on the start line if I can.” 

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
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
Georgia Taylor Brown smiles Supertri Toronto 2025
‘It might take a miracle but I’ll give it my best shot’ – can GTB repeat Supertri Chicago win?
Sam Renouf CEO of the PTO
T100 Valencia replacement announced as PTO chief acknowledges “challenges” with 2025 calendar
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
Jonny Brownlee with bike transition Supertri Toronto 2025
Supertri Chicago 2025: Date, start time, how to watch live and who’s racing
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...