Search
shop

Taylor Knibb given penalty for littering in IRONMAN World Championship debut in Kona

Taylor Knibb was among a number of women to see their chances hit by penalties in Kona.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Taylor Knibb, one of the big favourites for the IRONMAN World Championship, saw her hopes suffer a setback when she was handed a penalty for “unintentional littering” on the bike.

The American star was making her full-distance debut after successfully defending her 70.3 Worlds title recently in a season which has also seen her qualify for next year’s Olympics in Paris.

Despite that IRONMAN inexperience, all had gone to plan early on when she was in the chase pack in the swim behind clear leader Lucy Charles-Barclay.

But a sign of things to come came early on the bike when she lost a bottle from the back of her bike and another one would follow later, meaning that she briefly pulled off the road to top up her supplies at a special needs station.

Advertisement

Knibb paying the penalty

Nonetheless she was still by far the closest challenger to Charles-Barclay, with the gap fluctuating between two to three minutes.

And when the penalty came, she took it in her stride – telling the team broadcasting the race the reasons for the sanction!

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

Earlier, Lotte Wilms (NED) went from the chase pack to virtually out of contention after she was one of a number of women handed a five-minute penalty.

Wilms was riding close to big favourites Laura Philipp and 2019 champion Anne Haug, around eight minutes back on Charles-Barclay, but a blue card meant a five-minute spell in the penalty tent for the Dutchwoman.

Sara Svensk of Sweden and Austraia’s Penny Slater were others to be penalised.

Blowing the whistle

Penalties were a big talking point last year – with Philipp and Lisa Norden two of the big names to be given a five-minute sanction which all but ended their podium hopes.

Indeed even a year on Philipp admitted the decision still rankles with her – and both the 70.3 World Championship races and the men’s IRONMAN World Championship in Nice this year have seen similar decisions made.

But IRONMAN CEO Andrew Messick made it clear when speaking to TRI247 earlier this week that the officials wouldn’t shy away from issuing cards if they felt it was justified: “We’re an organisation that does blow the whistle and there’s others, by the way, that don’t. It isn’t really advancing fair and safe racing to just not call penalties.

“If your commitment is to the athletes who are following the rules, you have an obligation to them to not make them look like suckers.

“So if somebody is drafting on Saturday at Kona, we’re going to show them a card.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...