What are the British pros’ chances in Kona?
Alistair Brownlee’s withdrawal and Kat Matthews' accident have put a dampener on GB’s hopes for Ironman Worlds success, but there are still plenty of other British pros in with a chance
Hawaii has long been a happy hunting ground for British triathletes. Correction, British women triathletes. With the exception of 2016, there’s been a GB female in the top three every year since Chrissie Wellington won the first of four victories in 2007.
The men have been less prolific, with David McNamee’s two third places from 2017 and 2018 being the only podium performances to date. As we head back to the Big Island at the start of October, there’s more chance of GB success in the pro ranks with several top contenders to consider.
Who are the leading GB contenders in Kona?
Kat Matthews…
…well, she was, until she was hit by a car on a training ride less than two week out from the race. With a cracked skull, vertebra and sternum, her first shot at the Kona Ironman world title is now on hold for another year.
The army physiotherapist from Dorset has developed into one of the strongest long-course triathletes in the world – particularly on the bike and run. Two Ironman victories and two runners-up spots, both behind Swiss star Daniela Ryf – the latest at the Ironman World Championship in Utah – had put her among the favourites here.
While Matthews’ lack of experience could well have been a drawback, anything less than a top five would have been a disappointment.
By next year, she may well be the favourite overall.
Lucy Charles-Barclay
A month ago it seemed there was no chance Charles-Barclay would be lining up in Kona after a hip injury had kept her out of action all year. But a scintillating return, leading in typical gun-to-tape fashion to take the World Triathlon Long Course title in Slovakia, proved otherwise.
With a training base at Club La Santa in Lanzarote, few know how to prepare better for the Big Island where she’s finished runner-up on the past three occasions.
Joe Skipper
Norfolk’s finest is one of about two dozen triathletes looking to take down the Norwegians and claim top spot. In fact, if it wasn’t for the presence of reigning champion Kristian Blummenfelt and training partner Gustav Iden, it would be a wide open men’s race.
Skipper has the form to make the podium. His win in Ironman Wales at the start of September showed he’s leaner and keener than we’ve ever seen before. Sixth last time out in Hawaii in 2019, he’ll expect to go better this time around.
Which Brits could place in the top 10 in Kona?
Ruth Astle
Astle took the top step on the podium in her last visit to Kona – as overall age-group world champion – but will be under no illusions how tough it will be to repeat it in the pro ranks. That said, it’s a budding pro career so far.
Strong on the bike, the two-time Ironman champion has been battling an Achilles issue and would be elated with a repeat of her fifth place finish from St George in May.
Laura Siddall
Placing seventh in St George represented a terrific return from the 42-year-old whose best moments of an impressive career have come racing in Australia and New Zealand.
A five-time winner over the iron distance, the course and conditions might not be ideal for Siddall, but there’ll be every expectation of finishing higher than the 15th she achieved in 2017 and picking up some prize money.
Fenella Langridge
A runner-up spot at Challenge Roth in July in 8:31:41 after leading through the swim and bike, suggest that Bath-based Langridge is getting to grips with the iron distance after plenty of podiums at the middle distance.
World ranked No 13, she placed eighth on Ironman World Championship debut in Utah.
David McNamee
It would be a surprise if McNamee repeated his podium performances of 2017 and 2018, but the Girona-based Scot knows how to apply himself to the task in Hawaii better than anyone.
Very much a long-distance specialist now, he finished ninth in St George and as others fade, few stick around better on the Ironman marathon than McNamee.
British outsiders in Kona
Simone Mitchell
An Ironman winner in Ireland and Wales, and second overall in Lanzarote when racing as an age-grouper, Mitchell’s liking for challenging courses should put her in good stead. It will be her first start as a pro in Kona, but has raced there successfully as an amateur.
Chantal Sainter (née Cummings)
It will be a Hawaiian debut for the PTO No 84 ranked Brit who has podiums at Ironman UK and Ironman Ireland. She’ll be backing up from Ironman Italy and will be pressure-free in the build-up.
Susie Cheetham
Cheetham has twice finished sixth in Hawaii, in 2015 and 2017, and won Ironmans in Brazil (2017) and Hamburg (2019).
After becoming a mum to Henry in late 2020, she returned to racing and grabbed a qualifying spot for the Big Island with fourth place in Des Moines, Iowa, in June.
British pro success in Kona to date
2007
Chrissie Wellington (1st place)
2008
Chrissie Wellington (1st place)
2009
Chrissie Wellington (1st place)
2010
Julie Dibens (3rd place)
2011
Wellington (1st place)
Leanda Cave (3rd place)
2012
Leanda Cave (1st place)
2013
Rachel Joyce (2nd place)
Liz Blatchford (3rd place)
2014
Rachel Joyce (3rd place)
2015
Rachel Joyce (2nd place)
Liz Blatchford (3rd place)
2016
No Brit in top three
2017
Lucy Charles-Barclay (2nd place)
David McNamee (3rd place)
2018
Lucy Charles-Barclay (2nd place)
David McNamee (3rd place)
2019
Lucy Charles-Barclay (2nd place)
2020 – No race
2021 – No race
2022*
Kat Matthews (2nd place)
*First Ironman World Championship of 2022 took place in St George, Utah
Top image credit: Donald Miralle /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
Tim Heming
Freelance triathlon journalist 
