IRONMAN Kona 2025: Complete list of qualified professional triathletes (Women)
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Last Saturday, August 16, with the HOMBRE DE HIERRO Kalmar (Sweden), the women's qualification process for the 2018 World Cup was officially closed. 2025 IRONMAN Kona World Championship, which will be disputed October 11. ´
After months of racing all over the calendar international, we now know the final roster of professional triathletes who will take the start on the legendary Hawaiian island.
How classification works
As with the age groups, each professional event allocates a limited number of places.
In Sweden's case, there was only one female ticket up for grabs. The winner, Katrine Graesbøll (DEN), was already qualified since March in South Africa, so the slot went down to the second classified, Marlene de Boer (NED).
In higher level tests, such as Lake Placid, there were up to five places, which even dropped to 18th and 20th position, giving their pass to Katie Colville (USA) y Alexandra Watt (USA).
Another of the protagonists was Chelsea Sodaro (USA), champion in Kona 2022.
She had an automatic place until 2027, but had to validate it with a competitive result each season. After a difficult year due to injuries, she achieved a third place in Sweden, ensuring her place in the starting lineup for Hawaii.
The system also provides for special exceptions. The American Skye MoenchA recent mother, she has been able to keep her place thanks to the maternity policy, postponing her 2024 qualification (Nice) obtained with victory in Florida 2023.
Champions present and absent
This year's edition will feature three world champions:
- Chelsea Sodaro (USA), winner in Kona 2022
- Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR), champion in Kona 2023
- Laura Philipp (GER), champion in Nice 2024
Who will not be there will be the historic one Daniela Ryf (SUI), a five-time champion, who retired last season. We won't be seeing the German either. Anne Haug, winner in 2019, who after a year of injuries and a retirement in Vitoria decided to end her career.
Favorites and debutants
Aside from the champions, there are names that arrive with a good chance of fighting for the title:
- Kat Matthews (GBR), in full progression.
- Taylor Knibb (USA), considered by many to be the greatest threat to female veterans.
Of the 59 classified, 27 have already competed in Nice 2024, while 25 will be making their debut in an IRONMAN World Championship.
Countries with the most representatives
The United States once again leads the nationality ranking:
- 15 triathletes USA
- 9 Germans
- 6 British women
- 5 Australians and 5 French
- 4 Dutch women
- 2 Danes, 2 New Zealanders and 2 Swiss
- 1 representative for Spain, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates
Marta Sánchez our only representative
La only Spanish representative on the list of qualifiers for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona will be Marta Sanchez.
The Valencian triathlete, who has stood out in recent years for her solidity in the long distance, will face her greatest international challenge in Hawaii. Her presence on the starting line is a source of pride for the national triathlon community, as the Spanish flag will once again fly at the most prestigious event on the calendar.
Sánchez arrives with experience from several international events and will seek to gain a place among the elite on the demanding Kona course, where humidity and heat will be decisive factors.
Records to break in Kona
In the women's category, the reference is in the 8:24:31 by Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR), a circuit record achieved in 2023. The fastest marathon segment remains in the hands of Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) with 2h50 in 2014.
What to expect on October 11
The event will be broadcast live from 12:00 local time (21:00 in mainland Spain).
Everything points to a race marked by the American offensive and the uncertainty of how the Europeans will respond in the humid heat of Hawaii.
With the generational change underway, Kona 2025 promises to be a key edition for the future of women's long distance racing.
