Stacked Field Featuring Norwegian Stars Set to Line Up at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside

Ironman 70.3 Oceanside has long been regarded as one of the most competitive events on the calendar, consistently drawing deep international fields, and this year is no exception.

All four Norwegian stars are set to toe the line – Kristian Blummenfelt, Casper Stornes, Gustav Iden, and Solveig Lovseth – alongside a host of top contenders.

Also adding intrigue is Taylor Knibb, who is anticipated to take on the challenge of racing Oceanside just one week after the T100 season opener on the Gold Coast, setting up a demanding early-season double.

With depth across both the men’s and women’s fields, Oceanside is once again shaping up to be a must-watch race, offering $50,000 USD in prize money, 2,500 series points, and three qualifying slots per gender to the world championships in Nice.

Men’s Race: Norwegian Firepower and Early-Season Tests

Oceanside will offer an early look at the form of the dominant Norwegian contingent, whose success in 2025 – including a podium sweep at the Ironman World Championship in Nice – once again cemented the mythology of the “Norwegian method.”

Kristian Blummenfelt is set to race in Geelong this weekend in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested showdown with reigning Ironman 70.3 world champion Jelle Geens and T100 star Hayden Wilde. He will then attempt the double, travelling to Oceanside just one week later, where he’ll be joined by compatriots Casper Stornes and Gustav Iden as they open their seasons.

Oceanside will also mark the season debut of American fan favourite Sam Long (expect the first “yo-yo-yo’s” of the year!), while athletes such as Rudy von Berg and Jonas Schomberg add further depth to a field stacked with podium contenders.

Women’s Race: Knibb Leads a Deep and Dynamic Field

On the women’s side, Taylor Knibb headlines the race, also attempting a demanding early-season double. She arrives with a history of dominant performances at Oceanside, making her the athlete to beat if she can carry form through back-to-back race weekends.

She will face a strong field that includes defending champion and Canadian favourite Paula Findlay, who will open her season here, as well as reigning Ironman world champion Solveig Lovseth, adding to the Norwegian presence across both the men’s and women’s races. Jackie Hering will also line up fresh off her victory at Ironman 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm.