While triathlon fans are already counting down the hours until this Saturday’s Ironman 70.3 Geelong – where a stacked field is set to battle it out – the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Just one week later, the spotlight shifts to California for Ironman 70.3 Oceanside. It’s clear that IM is currently in a “flow,” consistently drawing the world’s absolute top tier to its global circuit.
The Norwegian Hype Train Rolls Into California
Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, taking place on March 28, features a men’s start list that reads like a “Who’s Who” of the sport. Headline act Kristian Blummenfelt continues his relentless 2026 schedule; after racing Ironman New Zealand and lining up in Geelong this weekend, “Big Blu” will head straight to the West Coast.
Fans can also look forward to a thrilling flashback to last year’s IM World Championship in Nice. Both Casper Stornes and Gustav Iden are confirmed for the start line, setting the stage for what is bound to be an epic “Norwegian Battle” under the California sun.
A Global Battle for the Podium
The Norwegians won’t have it all their own way. The European and American powerhouse contingent is out in full force, featuring names like:
- Rudy von Berg (USA)
- Sam Long (USA)
- Léon Chevalier (FRA)
- Jonas Schomburg (GER)
- Jan Stratmann (GER)
- Antonio Benito Lopez (ESP)
Rounding out the deep field are veterans and podium threats like Jackson Laundry, Cameron Wurf, Ben Kanute, and Sam Appleton. One notable absentee is multi-time winner Lionel Sanders; the Canadian fan-favorite has opted to skip Oceanside this year to focus fully on Ironman Texas in April.
Women’s Race: World Champion Returns
The women’s race promises to be equally spectacular. The start list is headlined by some of the fastest swimmers, bikers and runners in the business, including Taylor Knibb, Paula Findlay, and Jackie Hering. They will be joined by Danielle Lewis, Marta Sanchez, Grace Thek, Vittoria Lopes, and the powerhouse Dane Sif Bendix Madsen.
However, the most anticipated appearance might be that of the reigning IM World Champion, Solveig Løvseth. The Norwegian star returns to competition in Oceanside, and the triathlon world will be watching closely to see how her form stacks up against such a high-caliber field.
