Sports · Running & Athletics · 1 day ago

Taylor Knibb wins Ironman world title after rival collapses near finish

Taylor Knibb wins Ironman world title after rival collapses near finish

American triathlete Taylor Knibb won her first Ironman world title in Kona, Hawaii.

The race combines a 3.8km swim, a 180km cycle and a 42.2km run.

Norway’s Solveig Løvseth, the defending champion, had moved ahead late in the run and led Knibb by more than a minute.

With about a mile left, Løvseth collapsed, and Knibb passed her roughly a kilometre from the finish.

Løvseth recovered and finished eighth, while Germany’s Laura Philipp placed second, three minutes behind Knibb.

Knibb had pulled out near the finish while leading the previous year, and she said that experience helped her stay composed when Løvseth passed her.

France’s Vincent Luis won the men’s race on his Kona debut and said he would reconsider his plan to retire after the event.

What people are saying

Last year played a huge part because ... I made a big decision and it was just, ‘take care of yourself’, because it was getting really hard
Taylor KnibbIronman world championvia Guardian
Then when Solveig came back, I thought I can’t fight because if I fight, I’m going to lose, so I had to learn from last year to just get to the finish line, get to the finish line, get to the finish line
Taylor KnibbIronman world championvia Guardian
I said if I win, I will maybe not continue, but I went through some dark places in the last 3-4km – but 100% worth it
Vincent Luismen’s race winnervia Guardian
Let’s see, I have a few nights out to decide what to do with my life now
Vincent Luismen’s race winnervia Guardian

Sources

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