I’m doing some analysis on the Ironman Performance Pool rolldowns for 2026 events. Did anyone go to the awards ceremony for IM New Zealand (March 7), IM South Africa (April 19), Geelong 70.3, Panama 70.3, Texas 70.3, San Juan 70.3, Puerto Varas 70.3, Los Cabos 70.3 and recall what position the men and women rolled down to? Happy to share the analysis once it is done.
Many thanks!
I was at geelong and like most half IM race “roll downs” no one really wants to go to a over priced , draft feast so called world champs
The roll down didn’t happen as it was the good old , who ever wants to go please come up on stage
I can’t remember exactly but , I think they still had about half of the spots left that actually wanted to go
I was at the IM New Zealand 2026 roll down.
For the men, 9 of 11 podium spots were taken and for women 8 of 10 were taken. M25-29, M74-79, W55-59 and W60-64 were the ones where none of the top 3 took a Kona spot.
This left 27 performance pool spot for men and 11 for women. The men’s spots rolled to 46 and the women’s to 37.
It seemed that the spots were more keenly sought in NZ than in the prior Oceania race in this cycle in Western Australia.
Very helpful, thank you!
Buenos Aires 70.3: 110 Men, 4 slots were remaining in women and they just raised their hands
San Juan 70.3: 120 Men, 120 Women
Perú: 88 Men, 4 slots for women left
Super helpful, thank you!
I put these results with some others in this article → Does The IRONMAN World Championship Have a Slot Problem?
That’s an excellent article, Scott. I appreciate the time you put into researching and writing it, and the data analysis is superb.
Forgot to mention . . . I happen to live about 2kms from the finish line of IM Ottawa, which you indicated you will be doing this summer. Drop me a line at matt.armstrong@ocdsb.ca if I can help you out in any way, including a free place to stay. Best of luck in your KQ.
That’s a great article, Scott, and best of luck chasing your slot!
good read scott
no data for bussleton in december ??
I like all the data but it seems so upside down in a way.
I did Frankfurt in 2019 and it also had 100 slots for 70.3 world that it could not fill.
Whenever a championsship is overseas is will probably not fill on the other continent for their races (e.g. US people flying to EU etc.).
The whole “70.3 racers don’t have a championship mindset”, I also find misleading. Yes more do a 70.3 as a hobby goal but the real difference is the prestige/allure of Kona.
Kona is THE GOAL for most. There is no history/prestige in doing 70.3 WC Nice, you might as well just do any other 70.3, and then if it is so easy to get in then there is even less prestige around it. Which I think is fine, people get to experience more pros, bigger race venue and setup if they wan to attend. Now i say it this way I’m sure e.g. 70.3 Elsinore next month all slots will disappear as it is only a 3 hour flight, but you get my point.
Thank you! We’re all set for housing. I’ll take any course tips you have, naturally!
If you know how far the Performance Pool rolled down, I can add it. The races I did analysis on were the ones where I could find athletes who attended the rolldown.