Lucy Charles-Barclay leads the Ho'ala Swim and sends a warning to the IRONMAN world.

The big week of Kona It has already begun. Just five days away World championship HOMBRE DE HIERRO Female 2025, the traditional Ho'ala Training Swim has once again filled the bay with excitement Kailua, with more than 760 participants between professionals, age groups and amateurs.

This year, the test was seen shortened to 2.750 meters (instead of the usual 3.800) for security reasons, but that was no obstacle for Lucy Charles-Barclay will show, once again, its absolute dominance in the water.

The British athlete, world champion in Kona 2023, has once again made it clear that her "engine" is still running perfectly.

A serious warning before the World Cup

Charles-Barclay completed the crossing in 36:30, demonstrating an unattainable pace from the first meters. Only one participant, the Brazilian Matthew Evangelist, managed to overcome it, with a time of 34:04, in a performance that gave him absolute victory.

Behind Lucy, the women's podium It was completed by his compatriots Stephanie Clutterbuck (37:26) y Fenella Langridge (37:28), in a classification that left the British in the lead. Very close behind were Hannah Berry (37:29), Julie Iemmolo (37:29) y Marta Sánchez (37:31), all separated by just a few seconds.

Lucy does not forgive

Although the Ho'ala Swim doesn't award prizes, its symbolism is enormous. It is the first real test about the IRONMAN World Championship route and a meeting where big names often make their first introduction.

Even though the organization banned running when entering the water - which caused some funny scenes at the beginning - the British woman transformed the training into a show of powerWith his usual impeccable technique and fluid stroke, Charles-Barclay set the benchmark pace that many will take as a measure of his Kona 2025 level.

Marta Sánchez, among the best

On his first experience in Hawaii, Marta Sanchez has shown rapid adaptation to the environment.

The Spanish woman was sixth, just 1:02 by Lucy, confirming her excellent swimming level and her ability to stay with the chasing pack of favorites. Her performance reinforces expectations for Saturday, where she will try to achieve a new world top 10 at the most anticipated event of the year.

In the same group they arrived Jodie Stimpson (37:32) y Lisa Perterer, which completed the women's top-10.

Women's Qualification – Ho'ala Swim 2025 (2.75 km):

1. Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) – 36:30
2. Stephanie Clutterbuck (GBR) – 37:26
3. Fenella Langridge (GBR) – 37:28
4. Hannah Berry (NZL) – 37:29
5. Julie Iemmolo (FRA) – 37:29
6. Marta Sánchez (ESP) – 37:31
7. Jodie Stimpson (GBR) – 37:32
8. Solveig Løvseth (NOR) – 37:33
9. Lisa Perterer (AUT) – 37:35
10. Kat Matthews (GBR) – 39:27