The annual Ho’ala Swim – the traditional test event held one week before the Ironman World Championship in Kona – may have been shortened this year, but that didn’t stop Lucy Charles-Barclay from stamping her authority early.
The British superstar, known for her blistering pace in the water, took a commanding victory over the 2.75-kilometer course (reduced from the usual 3.8 km), finishing in 36:30.
Only one man managed to beat her time: Brazil’s Matheus Evangelista, who completed the swim in 34:04. The overall top ten, however, was dominated by women – a clear testament to the strength and depth of the female pro field heading into race week.
Behind Charles-Barclay, Stephanie Clutterbuck (37:26), Fenella Langridge (37:28), Hannah Berry (37:29), Julie Iemmolo (37:29), Marta Sanchez (37:31) and Jodie Stimpson (37:32) all put in impressive performances, rounding out a tightly packed leaderboard.
With just days to go until the Ironman World Championship, Charles-Barclay’s performance is a clear statement: she’s in form, confident, and ready to claim back her 2023’s Ironman World Championship Title.