Steph Clutterbuck is ready to put her season on hold as she seeks an answer to the ongoing health issues which have seen the symptoms of POTS disease blight her opening two races of 2026.
After recording a DNF at IRONMAN New Zealand at the start of the month, she then struggled at the 70.3 in Geelong, once again complaining of dizziness and hyperventilation as she finished in 17th.
TV coverage at the weekend clearly showed the 31-year-old Briton struggling to walk as she staggered from the swim, needing to hold onto the barriers for support before heading into T1.
Chronic nervous system disorder
Clutterbuck spoke of her battle with POTS – postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome – in an emotional video posted on her Instagram page in the immediate days after that opening event in Taupō, which saw her stop during the bike leg, having initially been taken ill during the swim.
POTS is a chronic autonomic nervous system disorder characterised by a rapid heart rate increase upon standing, causing dizziness, fainting, and fatigue. While no cure exists, management involves lifestyle changes and medications, often linked to a higher fluid and salt intake.
Clutterbuck believes she has had it for some time, but that her symptoms have worsened severely over the last 12 months, leading her to seek answers so that she can continue to compete against the very best.
After clearly suffering in Geelong at the weekend, she is now even more determined to find a solution which will allow her to continue competing at the highest level with a health issue which clearly makes one of the hardest endurance sports even tougher.
‘Symptoms feel like they are getting worse’
“Another rollercoaster. Rise, fall, rise again,” she wrote on her Instagram page. “POTS continues to challenge me in ways I never imagined. Symptoms feel like they’re getting worse, and if it weren’t for others reaching out with exactly the same experiences, I would be so worried it was all in my head.
“Every race I’m learning. Every race, I’m growing and understanding my body a little better. It might feel like I’m getting nowhere, but I know that’s not true. It’s exhausting, but I am so committed to finding a way to perform back at my best. It IS possible; it has to be.
When Clutterbuck spoke of her illness after Tapau, she likened the dizzy spells that she experienced during the swim to ‘like being in a washing machine’ and went on to say that she simply had no feeling in her legs and couldn’t stand.
In a tearful video post at the time, she said: “I can’t really keep doing this. I can’t keep not finishing races; it is not what I am here for.
‘I can’t keep going like this’
“I don’t know what is going to be next. I don’t know what it is going to look like, but I have a lot of figuring out to do on how to be a professional athlete with POTS because it’s not easy, and I don’t want to give up. But I can’t keep going like this.”
In her latest post this week, she issued a long list of thank-yous to those who have supported her during some difficult times in the Southern Hemisphere, before ending with a promise.
“To the incredible women I have the fortune of racing with, thank you for all of the care and support you’ve shown me,” she said. “And to my partners and team who continue to stand by me, your support means the absolute world. Those who were on the start line and those who have sent me messages since. I’m honestly blown away, and in a moment where I could feel very isolated, I feel anything but.”
“@katr_matthews for the endless on-the-ground encouragement, grounding and joy. @gabi_lumkes for everything, honestly, just everything. @tamarajewett for the moments between the races and endless empathy. @dr_hannah_wells for being so welcoming at a particularly low point. @haleychura23 for being the biggest safety net on Ironman New Zealand day.
‘I’ll be back on a start line before too long’
“@rhiannehughes for being a slice of home so far from home. @jackiemhering & @danilewistri for the unbelievable ongoing support, help and advice. And everyone else, you all know who you are ❤️. The hugs, words, smiles and cheers on course never go unnoticed. These women are incredible; triathlon is so lucky to have them.
“My season changes from here. I need to slow down, decompress and spend a bit more time digging into what else can be done. I’ll be back on a start line before too long. 🫶”
One thing is for sure: Clutterbuck has the entire triathlon world supporting and cheering her on as she looks to battle back and take her place on the start line, fully fit once again.
