This week on FITTER Radio we welcome Kelly O'Mara Head of Content and Sports Reporter for Feisty Media.

The new IRONMAN Kona qualification algorithm is significantly affecting female athletes. While early projections suggested a 30-40% representation of women at the World Championships, initial data from races shows this is not the case. In the 'performance pool' an overwhelming majority have gone to men (around 95%), with only about 5% going to women in the initial races analyzed. In some events, like IRONMAN California, only one performance slot was awarded to a woman.

In this conversation, Kelly shares her history in triathlon and sports journalism, highlighting the evolution of women's sports and the challenges faced in media representation. She shares insights from the recent Kona race, the impact of the new qualification system on female participation and the implications of IRONMAN's business model.

We review the racing from the Noosa Triathlon at the weekend plus Braden Currie announces his retirement.

(0:00:00) – Sprint finish in the NY marathon

(0:03:07) – Retirements in triathlon

(0:20:20) – Garmin Noosa Triathlon

(0:29:47) – IRONMAN qualification system

(0:36:22) – Kelly O'Mara: Feisty Media

LINKS:

Follow the Real Science of Sport podcast on X at https://x.com/sportsscipod

Kelly O' Mara at https://www.kellyomara.com/

Feisty Media at https://feisty.co/

Feisty Newsletter "Understanding the New IRONMAN Kona qualification system at https://feisty.co/p/understanding-the-new-ironman-kona-qualification-system/

Garmin Noosa Triathlon at https://noosatri.com.au/