An idyllic Swedish morning set the scene for the male and female professional athletes this Saturday at the 2026 IRONMAN® Kalmar triathlon, the 13th stop on the Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series™ circuit. The race delivered exhilarating dynamics, as many pros were going for their final chance to qualify for an IRONMAN World Championship, Kona spot. The renowned spectator support did not disappoint, with the course covered in enthusiastic crowds cheering Laura Philipp (DEU) and Jonas Schomburg (DEU) all the way to the win. Philipp put on an absolute show of sheer tenacity, winning with an over 18-minute lead, while Schomburg took the tape for his first-ever IRONMAN victory.

Women’s Race

Leading the swim from start to finish on the ROKA Swim Course were America’s Rachel Zilinskas (USA) and Linda Brannlund (SWE), followed by a chase pack featuring 2024 IRONMAN World Champion Laura Philipp and Jackie Hering (USA).

The female athletes got out onto the bike course in that order, with Rachel Zilinskas hoping to hold the lead for as long as possible in a stacked field. However, she was quickly hunted down by Philipp, who then maintained first place throughout the ROUVY bike course.

Philipp was first out of T2 and onto the run course with over a six-minute lead, followed by Katrine Christensen (DNK), who has been having an incredible season and was gunning for gold today. However, Philipp was in a league of her own, and there was no question that she would take the win. With an over 18-minute lead, she took the tape in 8:13:37, a rapid time that beat the standing course best.

Coming in second place was Katrine Christensen (DNK), with Jackie Hering (USA) joining her on the podium to complete the top three.

Laura Philipp on winning: “The atmosphere before the swim was amazing. It was like the sunrise and so many people out there, and it’s a very special swim course. I’ve never done something like this. It was, yeah, pretty cool to navigate. When like on the furthest part out, it got quite choppy, but luckily I was like swimming with others, so that made it a little bit easier…I really wanted to prove to myself that I can ride strong on a flat bike course, and it was pretty, pretty windy out there today. So I think, yeah, I can be proud of the bike performance, and the run was one of a kind.”

Men’s Race

For the men’s race, the swim was led by a clear front pack consisting of Sven Thalmann (SUI), Jonas Schomburg, Antonio Benito (ESP), Kacper Stepniak (POL), Henrik Goesch (FIN) and Gregory Barnaby (ITA). One minute and 30 seconds behind was a chase pack including Matthew Marquardt (USA), Daniel Bækkegård (DEN) and Thomas Bishop (GBR). First out onto the bike course was Jonas Schomburg (DEU), known for his extremely speedy transitions, putting him firmly in the lead heading onto the bike.

Just before halfway, Robert Kallin (SWE) took the lead with a course-best bike time of 3:53:12. Kallin then maintained this position into T2 and out onto the HOKA run course, quickly followed by Marquardt, Schomburg and Barnaby, all chasing his tail.

After the first 10km, Schomburg took the lead and held that position all the way to the end, finishing in first place in an incredible time of 7:22:57. Smashing the course-best record, Schomburg secured his first-ever IRONMAN victory. Just over five minutes behind, Marquardt pushed hard to secure second place, overtaking Andrea Salvisberg (CHE) and forcing him into third. Both athletes entered the finish line giving every last piece of themselves.

Jonas Schomburg on his victory: “Super happy to take my first pro IRONMAN win, and can’t be happier to do it even in Sweden. I love the country, I love the people, and I love the atmosphere here. What a day! What a day!”

Top Five Female Professional Results

1 Laura Philipp (DEU) 8:13:37
Swim – 52:37
Bike – 4:24:51
Run – 2:52:57

2 Katrine Christensen (DEN) 08:32:22
Swim – 56:29
Bike – 4:26:23
Run – 3:06:08

3 Jackie Hering (USA) 8:34:56
Swim – 52:40
Bike – 4:35:13
Run – 3:03:34

4 Jenny Jendryschik (DEU) 8:35:57
Swim – 52:44
Bike – 4:33:05
Run – 3:06:41

5 Leonie Konczalla (DEU) 8:40:17
Swim – 57:59
Bike – 4:32:12
Run – 3:06:37

Top Five Male Professional Results

1 Jonas Schomburg (DEU) 7:22:57
Swim – 44:57
Bike – 4:00:44
Run – 2:34:36

2 Matthew Marquardt (USA) 7:28:28
Swim – 46:30
Bike – 3:58:50
Run – 2:39:50

3 Andrea Salvisberg (CHE) 7:28:54
Swim – 44:59
Bike – 4:02:23
Run – 2:38:43

4 Gregory Barnaby (ITA) 7:32:11
Swim – 45:01
Bike – 4:01:29
Run – 2:42:54

5 Daniel Bækkegård (DEN) 7:35:44
Swim – 46:25
Bike – 3:59:27
Run – 2:46:23