Hayden Wilde will take a two-year ‘pause’ from WTCS short-course triathlon as he prepares to step up in range in 2025.
The 27-year-old New Zealander had a magnificent 2024 regardless of simply losing out on 2 big rewards, Olympic Games gold at Paris 2024 and after that the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in his native Taupō on Sunday. On both events he looked reserved for triumph before being passed late by Britain’s Alex Yee in France, and by Belgium’s Jelle Geens over the weekend.
Regardless of those agonising near misses it was a season where Wilde once again raised his track record even greater, with his all-in design of racing and sportsmanship making him a super star in your home and abroad. He likewise did win the supertri title and was a dazzling winner of the WTCS Grand Final in Torremolinos.
FOUND OUT MORE: What is a great IRONMAN 70.3 time?
Now however, with his next Olympic quote in L.A. still 4 years away, Hayden has actually chosen to taper back on his short-course racing and will rather explore longer ranges, beginning in 2025.
Wilde will race WTCS in Abu Dhabi early in the year however then will not appear once again in the series till October, with the interim being reserved for middle-distance action.
New Zealand triathlete Hayden Wilde ends up 2nd in the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo (Photo– Fiona Goodall, Getty Images for IRONMAN). Hayden Wilde reveals choice
Exposing the news while speaking with New Zealand broadcaster RNZ, he stated: “I’m going to take a two-year pause from the World Triathlon Series, simply have a little bit of a psychological break. Not stating that I’m not gon na race, I will not be focusing difficult on the (World Triathlon Championship) series, I may do a couple of races each year in the series simply to keep my ranking up.
“But as quickly as the LA Olympic window opens I will be back full-time in short-course triathlon, however for now it’s simply to sort of have some experiments in the longer things, and for sure still meddle brief range however not as much as I generally would be, it’ll be great to have a little a refresher.”
Hayden Wilde to do complete range Ironman?
While Wilde is preparing to step up to middle-distance racing frequently in 2025, what about complete range and the lure of the Ironman range? It looks like we’ll need to wait a bit for that.
“Give me 4 years time, after L.A. I do not wan na lose all my speed. As quickly as you begin training for an Ironman, it’s a long day and it simply eliminates your speed. Require to keep that for L.A. Then 2028 I ‘d enjoy to go to Kona or go to the complete Ironman range.”
LEARNT MORE: Triathlon ranges discussed, consisting of Olympic and Ironman
Wilde will not be the only short-course super star cutting down on WTCS in 2025 with the post-Olympic year offering professional athletes the opportunity to pursue other dreams.
