5.Kona moves to St.George No Ironman race in Kona?

You could feel the shockwaves around the triathlon world when it was announced the iconic IRONMAN World Championship would be moved from its traditional Hawaiian home to mainland USA and St George, Utah in 2022. The full story though is that this will replace the previously scheduled Kona race that had been set for February 2022 and there will be the traditional race back in Hawaii next October. Confused? So were we at first but the prospect of two IRONMAN World Champs next year is certainly going to be interesting if it all goes ahead.

4. Super League Triathlon (SLT)

The world’s best triathletes racing in iconic locations around the world, what’s not to enjoy. The Championship Series landed in London, Munich, Jersey and Malibu in September while earlier in the year there was also exciting arena action to really raise the temperature indoors. The fast and exciting race formats certainly caught the attention of fans around the world, new and old, and the short race format is in strong shape with the likes of Chris McCormack at the helm.

3.Collins Cup

It’s an ongoing debate as to where the best triathletes in the world hail from and the new Collins Cup was able to settle the debate once and for all, well for 2021 at least. Triathletes representing Europe, USA and Internationals descended on Slovakia in August with an athlete from each region matched up against each other over 12 individual races. Sort of like golf’s Ryder Cup but much more exciting. It probably came as no surprise that Europe were crowned the inaugural champions and any team with the likes of Daniela Ryf, Lucy Charles-Barclay, Anne Haug, Jan Frodeno, Gustav Iden were always going to be an exceptionally strong team to beat.

2. Frodeno/Sanders battle

A race to record the fastest ever time over the long distance format, step forward the modern-day GOAT and one of the toughest guys on the triathlon circuit to do battle. It sounded simple in concept and with a course manufactured to create record breaking times, Jan Frodeno didn’t disappoint in lowering his own record although there was a collective gasp when he slipped and fell on the run. Lowering the previous record mark by almost 8 minutes to an incredible 7:27:53, the event brought the eyes of the sporting world onto triathlon to witness history being made.

1 Team GB relay gold

Ok, so we’re a little biased here but anyone who stayed up late to watch the debut of the Mixed Relay race in Tokyo were treated to a race that showcased triathlon at it’s very best. Fast, frantic, edge of the seat stuff – Team GB delivered gold in emphatic fashion but it was also a changing of the guard as we saw Jonny Brownlee finally win his gold medal while youngster Alex Yee anchored the team to victory. A true team effort that saw Jess Learmonth lead the way and joined by Georgia-Taylor Brown who added to her individual silver medal. Those victory scenes will live long in the memory.