Preview and how to watch the last major pro triathlon event of the year
Taylor Knibb and Matthew Marquardt have had successful seasons by any measure, but there’s just one last bit of unfinished business. Ironman 70.3 World Championships will take place in Taupō, New Zealand beginning with the pro women’s race this Saturday, Dec. 14 (Friday, Dec. 13 in the U.S.), acting as the grand finale to a long year.
Knibb will be a favorite to win the women’s race coming off a barnstorming T100 Triathlon World Tour overall victory, in which she went undefeated in four straight middle distance races. If that title didn’t already make her a marked woman, she is also the reigning back-to-back World Champion gunning for a three-peat. Knibb’s year also included a win at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, a US cycling time trial national championship and a trip to the Paris Olympics, where she took silver in the team triathlon relay.
Taylor Knibb on her way to a T100 World Championship in Dubai.
Matthew Marquardt taking third in a tight battle at Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant.
Another world championship would be the cherry on top of what has already been a dominant season. The only question Knibb has left to answer is: How much gas does she have left in the tank? We’ll find out soon enough. No doubt she’ll give us an entertaining finish.
Marquardt is coming off a strong effort at Ironman World Championships in Kona, where he took 15th against the best triathletes in the world. Despite the result, the experience left him wanting more, and there’s no question he’s strong enough to challenge for the win, with six Ironman and Ironman 70.3 podiums in the last two years.
Marquardt is one of the most unique triathletes in the world. He’s doing double duty, competing at the highest levels of triathlon while also completing his medical degree at Ohio State. He’s also racing to raise support for cancer research. There is no easier athlete to root for in the entire field.
Taylor's T100 World Championship win in Dubai was one of the highlights of an incredible season!
The course in Taupō is gorgeous, taking place along a lake within a volcanic caldera at the center of New Zealand’s North Island. The temperatures will be in the mid 70s F/20s C, and wind speeds will be low, making for perfect championship conditions. The punchy 90-kilometer bike leg could suit Knibb and Marquardt — two of the best cyclists in their category — aboard their Speed Concepts.
The race should be a thriller. And best of all, it’s easy to follow the action.
Matthew might be the hardest working man in triathlon.
How to watch Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Taupō
The women’s pro race will begin at 7 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 14, which translates to 1 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 13 in the United States. Note the dates, as well as the times, due to the large time zone difference between New Zealand and North America. The men’s race pro race will begin at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 15 / 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 14. Mark your calendars accordingly.
The race will be streamed live for free on YouTube. Just keep this link handy. You can also watch the race on Outside TV in the United States, or at proseries.ironman.com.
Racing doesn’t get much better, so don’t miss it.
