Press Conference Prior to the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

The countdown to VinFast HOMBRE DE HIERRO The 70.3 World Championship has begun and, as a prelude to the big event, a press conference was held where the main athletes shared their impressions, strategies and feelings before facing the competition.

This test also marks the end of a season and serves as the decisive race of the IRONMAN Pro Series.

Elite Athletes Share Strategies

The press conference, held at the Great Lake Centre in Taupō, was attended by a number of celebrities.

Scott DeRue, CEO of The IRONMAN Group, welcomed the event, then handed over the spotlight to the professionals. The defending champions, Taylor Knibb (USA) and Rich Bogen (ALE), they talked about the motivation and pressure of being the athletes to beat.

Statements from women

Hannah Berry: The Dream of Competing at Home

• For Hannah, competing in a world championship in her home country is surreal. Normally, New Zealand athletes have to travel long distances for such competitions.
• He mentioned that this year he has spent almost six months away from home competing.
• He admitted that he will find it difficult to relax before the race, despite it being in December and close to Christmas.

Jackie Hering: The Challenge and Passion for 70.3

• Jackie enjoyed the challenge of the Ironman Pro Series and the excitement it brought back to this distance.
• While he prefers to compete in North America, getting out of his comfort zone and competing in Europe was a fun experience.
• She confessed that she loves the 70.3 distance and is excited to compete in it again.
• She said the most stressful part isn't the race itself, but making sure her kids are in the front row cheering her on at IronKids.

Julie D'on: Confidence After Olympic Success

• Julie acknowledged that the silver medal at the Paris Olympics has opened many doors and provided new opportunities for her.
• Despite her Olympic success, she feels no additional pressure and her main goal is to give her best in the race.
• She feels more confident when competing with a bike time trial (TT) in Taupo.

Ashleigh Gentle: Closing a Cycle in New Zealand

• Ashleigh was excited to compete at a World Championships close to home.
• She feels she is completing a process that began five years ago, when she qualified for Taupo in 2019.
• He described the relationship between Australia and New Zealand as “love-hate” but with a strong spirit of camaraderie when they are away from home.
• She admitted that she is not entirely sure of her performance, but she hopes to close the year with a good showing.

Imogen Simmons: Heart and Risk in Competition

• Imogen is anticipating an exciting race in Taupo, highlighting the extremely high level of competition.
• She said she would not change anything about her preparation compared to her participation in Lahti 2023, where she finished third.
• He mentioned that he always tries to run with all his heart and take risks to achieve success.

Cat Matthews: Beyond Classification

• Cat emphasized the importance of the World Championship itself, beyond qualifying in the Ironman Pro Series.
• She is very motivated to achieve first place, after having obtained several second places in world championships.
• He enjoyed his time in Oceania to acclimatize and recover from jet lag.
• He said he would focus on Saturday's race before making any decisions on his plans for 2025.

Taylor Knibb: Ready to Compete Despite the Obstacles

• Taylor revealed that she had some health problems after the Paris Olympics, which even made her reconsider her participation in Taupo.
• She expressed her gratitude for finally being on the starting line and feeling ready to compete.
• He is not focused on the possibility of winning a third consecutive title; his focus is entirely on Saturday's race.
• He believes that every career presents new challenges and opportunities to learn.
• He shared that he has an allergy to something in the air in New Zealand.

Statements from Men

Jelle Geens: In Search of First Victory in 70.3

• Jelle is excited to be in Taupo and competing with athletes he has known for years on the short distance circuit.
• He is eager to “empty the tank” in Sunday's race, after a long season.
• He admits that despite having run four 70.3s, he has yet to win one. His aim in Taupo is to change that statistic.
• He jokes about his friendly rivalry with Kyle Smith, with whom he trains in the pool.

Kyle Smith: The Homecoming

• Kyle fondly remembers his win at Taupo 2019, when he was an unknown and the adrenaline of the home crowd propelled him to victory.
• He expects a large turnout from the local public, which he says will create a unique atmosphere.
• He believes Taupo’s sporting culture and connection to the land have made him the triathlete he is today.
• It highlights the importance of respecting Maori culture and the sacredness of the land where the race takes place.

Gregory Barnaby: Morale Through the Roof

• Gregory is pleased with his 2024 season, which saw him claim his first IRONMAN 70.3 win.
• He feels good physically after his recent victory and is ready to compete in the World Championships.
• His main goal is the World Championship, but he recognizes the importance of the IRONMAN Pro Series qualification, in which he is in a good position.

Matthew Marquand: Strategy and Rivalry

• Matthew is motivated by the opportunity to compete against the best in the world and learn from the experience of the World Championship.
• His strategy for the race is to stay in the leading group and be aggressive.
• He believes the bike course in Taupo suits him, as most of the climbing is concentrated at the beginning.
• He explains in detail how the final classification of the IRONMAN Pro Series is decided between him and Gregory Barnaby, adding extra interest to the competition.

Léo Bergère: Maintain Unbeatability

• Léo is looking to maintain his unbeaten streak over the 70.3m distance, although he admits that it won't be an easy task due to the high level of competition in Taupo.
• She feels like she has lived “two years in one” due to the intensity of the season and her participation in the Olympic Games.
• Show respect for all competitors, both short distance and long distance specialists.
• He jokes about his rivalry with Hayden Wilde at the Olympic Games and expresses his desire to never “see just his back” again during the race.

Hayden Wilde: The Pride of Competing at Home

• Hayden jokes about Kyle Smith's absence from the 2019 Taupo awards ceremony, which earned him a World Championship berth.
• He is proud to compete in his country and show the world the beauty of New Zealand.
• He is thrilled by the passion New Zealand fans show for the sport.
• It highlights the importance of respecting Maori culture and the special significance of the land where they compete.

Rico Bogen: Defending the Crown

• Rico assumes his new role as one of the favourites after winning the 2023 World Championships in Lahti, where he was a relative unknown.
• He is looking to continue the good run of German athletes at the IRONMAN World Championship, following in the footsteps of his compatriots.
• He is confident in his physical form and believes he has reached his peak performance just in time for the end of the season.
• He believes Taupo's cool climate benefits him.
• He recognises the high level of competition and the new dynamic brought by the arrival of athletes from short distance races.

Maori Ceremony and Parade of Nations Open the Global Event

In addition to the press conference, thousands of athletes from all categories attended the Pōwhiri, a Maori welcome ceremony where IRONMAN and its athletes were welcomed by the local tribe (iwi) Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

They then joined the traditional Parade of Nations, which ran from Te Ātea Tapuaeharuru to the IRONMAN Village at Tongariro North Domain, honouring the 119 countries, nations and territories represented. This cultural and sporting display reinforces the global nature of the event.

The IRONMAN Pro Series Reaches Its Climax in New Zealand

For the first time, the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship will also serve as the decisive test for professional athletes to secure their final positions in the IRONMAN Pro Series.

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