3 minute read
After almost a decade of outstanding consistency at the Hawaiian Ironman, Australian Mirinda Carfrae is unsure about what this year will hold.
Scary is what Mirinda Carfrae's rivals have thought of her abilities for a decade at the Hawaiian Ironman triathlon world championships.
Now it's how the Australian three-time winner feels about her comeback.
The 37-year-old is back at Kona after a year off with her first child Isabelle.
Husband, American Tim O'Donnell, is also a top-three finisher.
Carfrae's wins and a fearsome running ability are backed by her Kona consistency.
From 2009-16, the only time she did not make the top three was due to two bike crashes before '15 and she pulled out mid-race with a back injury.
But that was pre-Isabelle.
"It's something I needed, mentally - I probably wouldn't be sitting here and being excited to race, mentally, if I hadn't had that year off," Carfrae said.
"But it's scary ... I've taken my finger off the pulse and there's some new talent. It's healthy to have uncertainty and be on edge. After having a year off, this is unknown territory."
Carfrae and last year's third-placed finisher Sarah Crowley hail from Brisbane.
Saturday will be the first time the compatriots race each other.
"The toughest athletes race well here and she's definitely one of them," Carfrae said.
Carfrae and O'Donnell have had fun with her comeback.
"No one needs to worry about me - I'm a 'has been'," Carfrae joked.
O'Donnell chimed in: "She's not even back there. Don't worry."
They are fooling no one.
The pocket rocket's lofty Kona status was built on withering marathon runs. Carfrae holds the Kona run course record of two hours, 50 minutes, 26 seconds.
Three-time Swiss defending champion Daniela Ryf is favourite, but all eyes will be on where Carfrae is placed after the 3.8km swim and 180km bike.
Ryf follows Carfrae and British great Chrissie Wellington in dominating Kona.
After Michellie Jones was the first Australian women's winner in 2006, Wellington claimed four of the next five titles, broken only by Carfrae's first win in 2010.
Carfrae won in 2013-14 but Ryf is the new woman to beat.
"I came into the sport racing against the great Chrissie Wellington, who was just a freak of nature, and now Daniela is showing herself as a freak of nature as well," Carfrae said.
"It's a privilege to race against such amazing athletes ... it gets the best out of you.
MIRINDA CARFRAE:
* DOB: 26/3/81
* Hawaiian Ironman results: 2009 - 2nd, '10 - won, '11 - 2nd, '12 - 3rd, '13- won, '14 - won, '15 - DNF, 16 - 2nd, 17 - year off
* Carfrae set the overall course record of 8:52:14 in '13 and that held until Ryf's 8:46:46 in '16
* Carfrae holds the women's marathon record split at Kona of 2:50: 26. Carfrae also has the three fastest women's runs at the Hawaiian Ironman and six of the top 10.
