Less than a week after Sam Long had given his European rivals fair warning that the Americans were coming for them, his own chances of IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship glory were, perhaps, handed a not insignificant boost.

His confidence that he and his USA colleagues could once again challenge for podium places at middle distance was genuine, and that was before the official announcement that Chattanooga – one of his favourite courses – had been selected to host next year’s race.

With this year’s event due to take place in Nice, IRONMAN will take it back to the States in 2027, to a place where Long has enjoyed great success over the years; indeed, it is a place where many American triathletes should feel very much at home.

Does Chattanooga call help Americans?

Long’s bullish ‘we’re coming for you’ comments regarding a much-needed American challenge in the 70.3 distance came after he had finished second to Trevor Foley and ahead of Jason West in an all-USA 1-2-3 at Pennsylvania last week.

While it does have to be said that the field was pretty much full of athletes competing for the Stars and Stripes, Long felt there was enough evidence to suggest that the tide of a very one-sided competition could be about to turn.

Of the 19 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship races held since 2006, only Andy Potts has managed to secure victory for the USA; his win came in 2007 when he beat Argentina’s Oscar Galindez and Britain’s Andrew Johns to the tape.

They have come close to adding to that tally, with Long himself one of three athletes who have finished second, along with Chris Lieto in 2011 and Ben Kanute twice in 2017 and 2022.

Such a poor record at 70.3 Worlds for USA

While there have also been three athletes who have finished third – Matt Reed (2009), Tim O’Donnell (2010), and Rudy Von Berg (2019) – the eight podium finishes out of a possible 57 since 2006 stand as a pretty poor return for a nation which takes its triathlon so seriously.

In contrast, a European has won the 70.3 title 14 times, finished second 11 times, and come home in third a further 11 times, giving them a tally of 36.

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Long’s reaction to hearing that Chattanooga had been selected for 2027 was perhaps telling of how much he is already looking forward to returning there; the man with four race wins in the city commented on the official Instagram announcement: “Yessssss!!! This is brilliant. 👑”

Another USA athlete who was clearly just as delighted with the news was Ben Kanute, who finished second at Chattanooga in 2017 when it last held the world championships; he commented: “🔥🔥🔥 bring back the full 2017 course.”

Looking to turn the tide on the Europeans

Not one American male finished in the top ten at last season’s race in Marbella as Belgian Jelle Geens led the way ahead of Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt and Casper Stornes; indeed, you have to go all the way back to 2021 for the last time they had multiple finishers in the top ten places, when Long finished second, Ben Kanute was sixth, and Eric Lagerstrom seventh.

So if something is to change… be it this year in Nice or next year in Chattanooga, who is most likely to be the one to once again put America on the 70.3 map? Here are our top five men who America could look to for that success.

Sam Long

Without doubt, one of the leading competitors at the 70.3 distance and someone who will be itching to turn the tables on European domination. As previously mentioned, he finished second in 2021 and has an impressive 70.3 record with 15 wins to his name; however, could Chattanooga be his best chance, having already clocked up two 70.3 and two full-distance wins there? He will certainly be out there doing his best in Nice – would expect nothing less from Yo-Yo-Yo… but he will be licking his lips at a return to Tennessee in 2027.

Trevor Foley

Showed his 70.3 qualities at last weekend’s race in Pennsylvania and certainly has the skills to challenge for a world championship at this distance. Again, he has enjoyed some success in Chattanooga, having finished third there in both middle- and long-distance races. Still only 26, he has 14 70.3 podium places to his name, including five wins. He will be looking to follow up on his win at Happy Valley this weekend when he lines up at 70.3 Mont Tremblant in Canada.

Ben Kanute

Has five top-ten finishes at the 70.3 championships, including two seconds in 2017 and 2022. He hasn’t won a race since 2021, when he broke the tape at Oceanside, but he is always there or thereabouts and showed in Dallas earlier this season, when finishing second, that he can still challenge.

Jason West

Really impressed in Pennsylvania last weekend, and he is one of those athletes who, if he gets it right on the day, could very well challenge for the top honours. He also has a history with Chattanooga, winning one of his eight 70.3 titles on the course back in 2022 and finishing third in the full-distance version last year.

Morgan Pearson

He was unlucky to suffer from mechanical issues on the bike at last week’s race in Pennsylvania, but he still did enough to book his place in this year’s championships in Nice. Will certainly be one of the Americans capable of bringing home the title, especially if he can use his incredible swimming skills to give him an early advantage on the bike and then be in touch for the half-marathon. Having focused much of his career on WTCS and T100, his win at 70.3 Indian Wells in 2024 showed that he can mix it in this format.