THROUGH THE LENS: TOP SWIM IMAGES FROM THE WOMEN’S 2023 VINFAST IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAI`I
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai`i (Oct. 14, 2023) – Over 2,000 women took center stage today for the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN® World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona. For the first time in the event’s 40-plus year history, the women’s field has their own dedicated race in historic location of Kailua-Kona Hawai`i after the men’s race took place on September 10 in Nice, France.
The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona kicked off with the 2.4-mile (3.8km) ROKA Swim Course, which took place in the crystal-clear waters of Kailua Bay.
BRIGHT SPOTS: The sun shines on the over 2,000 amazing women preparing to toe the start line at the iconic VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on Saturday, Oct. 14. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
FINAL PREPARATIONS: Athletes started their morning with body-marking at 4.30 a.m., before heading into transition to make their final preparations before race day. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN
HIP HIP HOORAY: Age-groupers celebrate as they get in the water about to embark on their 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship adventure. Athletes will complete a 2.4 mile (3.8km) swim, following a rectangle shape in the crystal-clear waters of Kailua Bay. (Sean Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
KAILUA WAVES: An aerial view of the 2.4 mile (3.8km) ROKA Swim Course in Kailua Bay at the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: A sea of female athletes await the start of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. The ladies will take a on a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run (Photo Credit: Sean Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
AND THEY’RE OFF: The first women’s only edition of the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship is underway in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. Over 2,000 athletes started their day with a 2.4-mile swim. (Photo Credit: Tony Svensson for IRONMAN)
IN THE DEEP BLUE SEA: Age-group athletes embark on the 2.4-mile (3.8km) ROKA swim course as the fish below get a front row seat (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
JUST KEEP SWIMMING: The sun rises and the cannon goes off to mark the start of the historic 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship which will see over 2,000 athletes in the first ever women’s only race. (Photo Credit: Sean Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
LEADER OF THE PACK: Lucy Charles Barclay (GBR) is first out of the water and onto the bike, with a 1.29 minute lead on USA’s Haley Chrua. (Sean Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
CLOUD VIEW: Athletes power through the 2.4 miles (3.8km) ROKA Swim Course in Kailua Bay at the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
YOU GO GIRL: Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) sprints through the transition area to get on her bike and take on the 112-mile FulGaz bike course. Lucy is on a quest to win her first IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)