It is the race where everyone wants to be, and yet, with only 23 slots available per gender and just seven qualifying races remaining, there are certain to be some big names missing out on a trip to Kona this coming autumn.
A glance through the unusually strong start lists for IRONMAN Lanzarote proves just how important these remaining few weeks are going to be for professional long-distance triathletes around the world.
This non-Pro Series event has three former world champions and the current 70.3 title holder lining up, as some seek to validate their exemption spots and others look to qualify on the small Spanish island so they can then join the showdown on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Champions in need of validation
Two of the former champions, Patrick Lange (GER) and Sam Laidlow (FRA), both took to their own social media accounts last week to highlight why they were headed to Lanzarote – to get to Kona.
However, while Laidlow only needs to validate his spot by finishing in Lanzarote, Lange needs to actually grab one of the six slots which are up for grabs by finishing in the top three places in the men’s race.
Champions before 2024 were granted a five-year exemption and needed only to enter and complete a qualifying race to claim their slots; however, due to a subsequent rule change, Lange – who won in 2024 – was only granted a one-year exemption, and he must now take his chances by securing a podium place this weekend or hope he can race in another qualifier later in the summer.
Of course, his situation was not helped by the DNF he recorded at IRONMAN Texas when he limped away with a bad back, but he is made of strong stuff, and nobody will surely bet against him being there come October 10.
Posting on Instagram last week, he said: “Heading back to Lanzarote! 🌋” he wrote. “I’ve been on countless camps on this windy island over the years, but I’ve never actually raced there.
‘I’ll give it everything I’ve got’
“It’s going to be a tough day out there, but that’s exactly what makes this race so legendary. I’m excited to be back. The main goal is to secure my Kona qualification, which is anything but guaranteed. I’ll give it everything I’ve got. 💪”
Former full-distance and current 70.3 champ Lucy Charles-Barclay has missed the start of the season, having undergone tendon surgery, and now needs to finish in Lanzarote to secure a return to the scene of what must have been one of her hardest hours in triathlon.
Seemingly set for a famous win last year, the British athlete was eventually beaten by the heat and humidity of Hawaii and could only look on as Norway’s Solveig Lovseth bounded past to win her first-ever title.
She and her compatriot Casper Stornes, who won the men’s race last year, do not need to be validated and will return as champions looking to defend their crowns.
Time is running out for some
There is no denying that time is running out for those without exemptions. They will now need to grab one of those remaining 23 places by performing well at one of the upcoming qualifying events.
The list below shows where and how many slots are available over the coming months.
- IM Lanzarote – MPRO 3 WPRO 3
- IM Brasil – MPRO 3 WPRO 3
- IM Hamburg – WPRO 3
- IM Cairns – MPRO 2 WPRO 2
- IM Austria – MPRO 2
- IM Frankfurt – MPRO 6
- IM Thun – WPRO 2
- IM Lake Placid – MPRO 4 WPRO 4
- IM Kalmar – MPRO 3 WPRO 3
Some big names who have yet to secure their places include Laura Philipp, with the German in the same boat as her compatriot Lange, when she competes at Hamburg, and the likes of Canada’s Lionel Sanders – who is still battling his way back from injury – and Jelle Geens (BEL), who recorded a DNF in his first-ever full-distance race in Texas.
Sanders could possibly give it a shot in Lake Placid on July 19, while Geens has confirmed he will also be there as they chase down the four available Kona spots.
Whether they make it, of course, remains to be seen… but one thing is for sure: these next few months through to the final qualifier at IM Kalmar on August 15 promise to be a thrilling sideshow to the main event.
Qualified Female Pro Athletes:
- Alice Alberts (United States)
- Hannah Berry (New Zealand)
- Daniela Bleymehl (Germany)
- Katrine Christensen (Denmark)
- Kate Curran (United Kingdom)
- Elisabetta Curridori (Italy)
- Daisy Davies (United Kingdom)
- Danielle Fauteux (Canada)
- Arlette Gonzalez (Mexico)
- Henrike Güber (Germany)
- Jackie Hering (United States)
- Franziska Hofmann (Germany)
- Regan Hollioake (Australia)
- Tamara Jewett (Canada)
- Taylor Knibb (United States)
- Marta Lagownik (Poland)
- Danielle Lewis (United States)
- Solveig Løvseth (Norway)
- Gabrielle Lumkes (United States)
- Kat Matthews (United Kingdom)
- Charlotte McShane (Australia)
- Anna Pabinger (Austria)
- Anne-Sophie Pierre (France)
- Marta Sanchez (Spain)
- Sara Svensk (Sweden)
- Grace Thek (Australia)
- Jana Uderstadt (Germany)
- Rosie Wild (United Kingdom)
- Lotte Wilms (Netherlands)
- Rachel Zilinskas (United States)
Qualified Male Pro Athletes:
- Florian Angert (Germany)
- Leonard Arnold (Germany)
- Marius Bjerkeset (Norway)
- Kristian Blummenfelt (Norway)
- Almog Elazary (Israel)
- Trevor Foley (United States)
- Jumpei Furuya (Japan)
- Matthew Hanson (United States)
- Brock Hoel (Canada)
- Arthur Horseau (France)
- Gustav Iden (Norway)
- Ben Kanute (United States)
- Menno Koolhaas (Netherlands)
- Pierre Le Corre (France)
- Kieran Lindars (United Kingdom)
- Sam Long (United States)
- Vincent Luis (France)
- Cameron Main (United Kingdom)
- Matthew Marquardt (United States)
- Jack Moody (New Zealand)
- Caleb Noble (Australia)
- Sebastian Norberg (Sweden)
- Tristan Olij (Netherlands)
- Michele Sarzilla (Italy)
- Jonas Schomburg (Germany)
- Casper Stornes (Norway)
- Rasmus Svenningsson (Sweden)
- Nick Thompson (Australia)
- Mikel Ugarte Ramos (Spain)
- Marten Van Riel (Belgium)
- Rudy Von Berg (United States)
- Cameron Wurf (Australia)
