Paula Findlay confirms her move to the full IRONMAN in 2026

Paula Findlay ended the 2025 season after retiring at the World Championships HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3 in Marbella and is already looking ahead to his debut in the full IRONMAN in 2026.

Paula Findlay and the bittersweet taste of Marbella after the best season of her career

The Canadian Paula Findlay He closed the 2025 season with a mix of sporting success and personal frustration following his retirement in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, the race he had circled in red on his calendar.

The Andalusian race was meant to be the culmination of an almost perfect year for Findlay, who arrived at the World Championships after stringing together four wins in four racesThe best result of his professional career. However, a hip injury cut short his chances when he was just starting his running career.

Findlay acknowledges that the pressure was high. “I wish it had turned out differently. I put a lot of pressure on myself for that race because I was coming off a really good season,” he explains in the final episode of the documentary series. The Long Game, produced by IRONMAN.

A preparation far from ideal

Although her results in 2025 were outstanding, the Canadian admits that the weeks leading up to the World Cup were not easy. After her victory in IRONMAN 70.3 AugustaShe suffered from an illness and began to experience hip problems that never completely went away.

During the cycling segment in Marbella, Findlay already noticed something wasn't right. "I felt it on the bike, but I thought maybe I could run with it," he explains. However, the situation worsened when they reached the second transition.

Her own team was clear in assessing the triathlete's physical condition: her hip injury had worsened significantly, and she could barely walk without pain. Even so, she attempted to start the run before being forced to drop out after only a few meters.

“I would trade all my victories for one good race here.”

The subsequent reflection yields one of the most powerful lines in the video. Despite having the most successful season of his career, Findlay doesn't hide his disappointment with what happened in Marbella.

“I would trade all the victories I had at the beginning of the year for having had a good race in Marbella,” he admits, making clear the emotional weight that the 70.3 World Championship had in his planning.

However, he is also able to put the season into perspective and admit that, from a sporting perspective, 2025 has been an exceptional year, with victories in St. George, Mont-Tremblant, Boulder and Augusta.

The jump to the full IRONMAN in 2026, confirmed

Beyond the year's summary, the video reveals a significant piece of news for the future: Paula Findlay confirms her move to the full IRONMAN distance in 2026.

“I can guarantee I’ll do an IRONMAN,” he states emphatically. His plan involves competing in the IRONMAN Pro Series, with the ambition to compete up to three full-distance tests in its first year in the full format.

“It’s a lot to ask to do three in a year, being my first time, but that’s my plan,” she adds.

The Canadian is already thinking about a different preseason, with a clear goal: to arrive stronger and more resilient. “I want to be injury-proof next year, have a consistent preseason, and be strong from the start,” she concludes.