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Kona Coverage: First at the Hoala swim? Guess who

A record-sized field took part in today's Kona practice swim

2023 Ironman World Championships Photo by: Kevin Mackinnon
October 8, 2023
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Lucy Charles-Barclay came very close to making it to the London Olympics as a teenager in 2012 as an open water swimmer, so it comes as no surprise that she regularly dominates the swim at Ironman events. (It’s not like Charles-Barclay is a slouch when it comes to biking and running, either – she’s finished second here the last four times the Ironman World Championship has been held in Kona.)

The Hoala Practice Swim has become a tradition here in Kona, and it’s also a regular occurrence to see Charles-Barclay lead the way. So, while today’s swim included some dramatic changes including a record-sized field of 1,100 registrants, a pro wave and a rolling start, there were no surprises in terms of the first out of the water. We’ll recap the morning in words and pictures:

Leading the way through the 3.8 km course. The course ends up being a bit longer than the Ironman swim since it starts and finishes on the other side of the pier.
Here’s hoping Reece Barclay isn’t getting any swim tips from Ironman Hall of Famer Bob Babbitt!
Anne Haug and Sarah Crowley get ready for the start.
The pro women are off!
One of these is not like the others! Almost 80% of today’s field were women.
Rebecca Clarke was second out of the water, 2:27 behind Charles-Barclay’s 50:38 winning time.
India Lee is all smiles as she comes out of the water in fourth.
Two-time 70.3 world champion Taylor Knibb finished fifth in 53:30.
Ironman Mont-Tremblant champion Rachel Zilinskas was sixth in 53:33.
Stephanie Clutterbuck is part of the Zwift Triathlon Team – she was the third-fastest age grouper today.
Olympic silver medalist and 2005 Ironman world champion Michellie Jones.
Smiling with her finisher’s medal!