The 2019 Ironman Mont Tremblant women’s pro preview
Sarah True is the favourite for Sunday's race. Meredith Kessler and Carrie Lester are also in the mix
This Sunday is the eighth edition of Ironman Mont Tremblant. Ahead of the big race we break down the female major professional contenders.
(Course record: 9:07 by Mary Beth Ellis in 2013)
Last year’s champion Liz Blatchford will not be returning as she retired at the end of 2018.
Two time U.S. Olympian Sarah True goes into Ironman Mont Tremblant as the clear favourite for the women. However, after a DNF in Ironman Cairns followed by a Julie Moss-esque legendary meltdown and DNF at Ironman Frankfurt, her heat tolerance remains a question mark. This is also her last chance to secure a Kona spot for 2019.
Meredith Kessler has raced at Mont Tremblant plenty of times in the past few years. She was third last year at the full distance, and third at Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 this year. She also won Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 in both 2014 and 2015. She has been racing frequently as earlier this month she took third at Ironman 70.3 Boulder. It should also be noted that she has already qualified for Kona 2019 at Ironman New Zealand this year.
Australian Carrie Lester will be racing Sunday and has quite the long-course triathlon resume. This year she won the shortened Ironman France and was second to Daniela Ryf at the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon. She has already qualified for the 2019 Ironman World Championships. She has also previously achieved two second-place finishes (including a 8:42) at Challenge Roth, and two Challenge Penticton wins.
