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Kona Press Conference: Ironman Champions Prepare For Showdown

  • By Paul Moore
  • Published October 7, 2011

The best of the best. Ten of the fastest triathletes on the planet lined up for the pre-Kona press conference yesterday to give a glimpse into their mental and physical condition going into tomorrow’s Ironman World Championship. We picked out some choice words for you:

Mary Beth Ellis: “I thought I was going to be a little more suited for longer distance but I was completely surprised at my first race. I kept yelling out trying to figure out what time it was and what time I was going because at every point I was way ahead of where I thought I would be.”

Caroline Steffen: “The heat suits me because I’ve been freezing cold in Frankfurt so I’m happy it will be hot and sunny on Saturday. It will take a lot to take the win but I will do my best.”

Julie Dibens: “Leading up to Vegas I’ve had a bit of a foot problem, actually something I’ve had for 6¬–7 years but have been managing. Since [Ironman] Coeur D’Alene it flared up. In Vegas, I didn’t know how it was going to be in the race, but with Kona in the back of my mind I didn’t want to do any more damage so I decided to pull the plug when I started to feel the plan. It’s not 100 percent but it’s getting better each day and I’m excited to be here, it’s one of the best sporting events in the world in any sport.”

Chrissie Wellington: “Two weeks prior to today I was in the best shape of my life. I felt incredibly strong across all three disciplines and felt confident going into the race. But I’d be lying if I said the crash had no effect on me physically because it has. Of course I’ll be racing with that little caveat of the impact of the crash on my body. But I haven’t lost that physical fitness—it’s still there. I haven’t lost my mental drive and my burning burning desire to regain the title, but I’ve also got to respect my body and appreciate that when you have an accident it will take its toll. So that’s the asterisk I’ve put over any shape that I’m in. It’s an honest evaluation of where I’m at.”

Mirinda Carfrae: “There’s been a lot of banter in our house as to who can run the fastest run split on this course. It’s been a lot fun preparing for the biggest race of the year together. I think a lot of people look at us and wonder if we’ll both be able to perform. There’s only so much energy in one household. We’re both excited, we’re both in great shape and we’re looking forward to getting out there. They’ll be a lot of trash talking at the after-party I’m sure. Hopefully I’ll be the one doing the trash talking.”

Craig Alexander: “Last year by any stretch I don’t think I had a bad race, I had a good race. I just got beaten by three guys that were better on the day. Every year, win or lose, I think about what was good about the race, what was rubbish, what could be improved. I think when you win you sometimes gloss over some of the imperfections, but when you get beaten—and beaten pretty badly—that self-analysis is a lot more honest. This off-season, like every year, I just tried to become a better triathlete in all three disciplines.”

Andreas Raelert: “I’ve done six Ironman races now and every one I do I’ve learned so many things. I’ve had a fantastic year and it’s kind of a bonus that keeps me motivated to have a great day. When I look back it was 2009 when I was running next to Crowie and last year when I won second place, these memories are still in my mind and are motivation for this year. I truly believe that the power of will is the key to making your dreams come true. I believe that I have the potential to be able to win this race once in my life.”

Marino Vanhoenacker: “[After breaking the Ironman world record] I took about a month off and went to Brazil for the world championships and it was a disaster—but it was Olympic distance so I’m not too worried about that.”

Tim O’Donnell: “I think I’m in the wrong room—where’s the newbie to Kona seminar? I’m really excited and I’m honored to be up here. I’ve had great preparation and I’m in the best physical condition of my career. There are a lot of variables out here that these guys all know a lot about, and that experience is huge in this race. But if I can learn on the fly, I think I’ll be pretty competitive.”

Raynard Tissink: “The training’s been done and the last few weeks have been a little bit of a hiccup [with getting sick] but you get out there and do what you can on the day. As a professional athlete you just have to do those things and make those decisions like Julie did in Vegas—if things aren’t going your way do you continue to fight and push your body or do you pull the plug? I’ve been doing this for a long time and I know anything can happen on race day. But I’ve got big balls and once the gun goes off I’ll make sure I can do what I can.”

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Paul Moore

Paul Moore

Paul Moore is the Online Editor for Triathlete Europe. When not glued to a computer he can be found writing books - most recently Ultimate Triathlon: A complete training guide for long-distance triathletes which you can buy on Amazon