AUG 26, 2023
In Lahti, Finland today, 25-year-old Taylor Knibb of Boulder, Colorado, captured the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship title in3:53:02, setting the world's best time in an IRONMAN 70.3. She swam 24:45, biked 2:07.52, and ran 1:18:05 to take the victory in dominating fashion, four minutes ahead of second-place finisher, Imogen Simmonds.
On the shores of Lake Vesijärvi, triathlon fans worldwide got to witness the return of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship to European soil. Female professionals and age-groupers alike took to the mild waters of Teivaa Harbour at 8 am, ready to test themselves not only against the world’s best, but the region’s beautiful swim, bike, and run courses.
Pre-race conversations were dominated by two women: The fast-rising American star Taylor Knibb, and the sport’s reigning Queen—Daniela Ryf of Switzerland. Knibb is the youngest woman to ever represent the US at the Olympics (Tokyo) and has wowed fans in each one of her appearances in triathlon since—yet she hasn’t had the chance to race an “on” Ryf (the five-time IRONMAN 70.3 world champion and five-time IRONMAN world champion).Both Knibb and Ryf have enjoyed considerable success this year and came into this race flying high.
Swim
Taylor Knibb took off out of Teivaa Harbour, with a group of about six others forming behind her in a lead pack. Lucy Buckingham took over the lead about a third of the way into the 1.93 km (1.2) ROKA swim course in Lake Vesijärvi, with Knibb staying hot on her feet. Brazil’s Pamela Oliveria was in the mix at the front of the swim as well.
Behind the lead pack of about seven, many of the pre-race favorites all formed the chase pack: Holly Lawrence (GBR), Kat Matthews (GBR), Paula Findlay (CAN), Daniela Ryf, Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR), and Laura Phillip (DEU). Lawrence swam aggressively, trying to bridge the gap to the lead swimmers, but they remained up front.
Buckingham was out of the water first in 24:43, with Knibb and Oliviera close behind her, just two seconds back. The second pack exited the water a minute and a half back, including Lawrence, Salthouse, Matthews, Ryf, Pallant Browne, Findlay, and Tamara Jewett.
Bike
After a lightning-fast transition, Knibb surged to the front almost immediatelyin her newly confident TT bike position. She continued to put on a show on the rolling, rural bike course taking in Lahti’s pastoral countryside. Imogen Simmonds surprised with her aggressive move to the front and ability to hold second for much of the bike course. Ryf, Findlay, Matthews, and Pallant-Browne stayed together as a chase pack, but all began to lose time to the hard-charging Knibb as the 90 km (56 mile) bike course unfolded.
Simmonds held her own, but it was Knibb at the front of the race all day long. The chasers’ gap only increased as the kilometers clicked by, to well over three minutes at the end of the bike. As Knibb began to repeat just what she did in St. George last year, fans began to wonder how large her buffer would be this year.
Knibb jumped off the bike with a split of 2:07:52, with Simmonds 2:09 back and Matthews, Pallant Browne, Ryf and Findlay rolling in at just over 5 minutes back.
Run
Knibb made short work of T2 and was off in under 40 seconds—almost 30 seconds faster than Simmonds, next in line. She demolished the first 5 kilometers of the two-loop, 21.1 km (13.1) HOKA run course in under 19 minutes, setting a blistering pace from the get-go. Her run form was spot-on, despite having struggled with a foot injury late last year.
With only Matthews and Pallant-Brownerunning in Knibb’s ballpark, the two Brits battledit outfor third. Matthews held her own and then with her strong, consistent pace, was ablet to overtake Simmonds late in the run for second.
Knibb surely knew the crown was hers long before she turned towards the famous Salpausselka Ski Jumps. The final taste of victory was sweeter though as she entered the finish chute knowing a repeat title was hers. On the heels of a 1:18 half marathon split, Knibb finished withan impressive 3:53:02 (her fastest IRONMAN 70.3 finish time yet)and heaps of pride on a day that rewarded her hard work, patience, and determination.
"It's a long day, it's an IRONMAN 70.3 and I'm just grateful to make it to the finish line and grateful to be here," Knibb said at the finish line. "Some people were questioning my decision to race, but racing excites me andI'm just happy to be here."
"I had a really good day. They don't come always," said Kat Matthews. "I'm a little disappointed that Taylor just 'ticked off'this race. I'm excited to see what she does next! I had full focus on this race, but all I'm thinking about now is Kona next month."
Top 5 professional women
1. Taylor Knibb (USA) - 3:53:02
2.Kat Matthews (GBR) - 3:57:05
3. Imogen Simmonds (SUI) - 3:57:56
4. Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR) - 3:58:35
5. Paula Findlay (CAN) - 4:00:32
