Ironman Coaches React to Kona Carnage 2026

This is not a race highlights episode. This is a coaching, data, and analysis episode. Sorry for the chaos and jumping all over the shop. We're just far too excited about all the stuff that can possibly happen from one race.

We break down the raw reality and brutal conditions of the Ironman World Championship in Kona.

Jordy and Gerard analyze key performances from athletes like Kristian Blummenfelt, Gustav Iden, and Taylor Knibb to extract hard-earned lessons every athlete can use to avoid execution errors and master their own race day.

This episode is brought to you by TriVelo Coaching. We help triathletes and endurance athletes train smarter to race faster. Your hosts are Australian Ironman Champion Gerard Donnelly and endurance coach Jordan Donnelly.

Time Stamps:

0:00 – Collapsing in the same spot as Solveig Løvseth

2:07 – Why Kona is like racing on Mars

5:59 – Cam Wurf’s quiet 12th place

7:17 – Pros vs age groupers: who can actually race Kona?

8:38 – Magnus Ditlev’s early lead and 10k to go

13:22 – Sam Long’s under-the-radar Kona

15:30 – Jordy’s Bali heat vs Kona conditions