What to read into Hannah Berry’s “all in” on the Ironman Pro Series admission ahead of the season opener at Ironman New Zealand on Saturday?
That it doesn’t necessarily means she’s all out of this year’s rival T100 Triathlon World Tour, even if the Mt Maunganui 35-year-old is conspicuous by her absence on the T100 Gold Coast start list for March 21.
Also, that the Kiwi No.1’s proven Taupō pedigree and global consistency, her ability to execute while others fall apart, means she’ll be a quietly compounding problem for two-time Pro Series champion Kat Matthews (GBR/pictured below), reigning NZ champ Regan Hollioake (AUS) Jocelyn McCauley (USA) and co. on Saturday.
Indeed, the PTO world No.12 not only shapes as a serious contender for the 42nd edition of ANZCO Foods IMNZ, but to eclipse her two previous Experience Oman Ironman Pro Series campaigns, 4th in 2024 and 9th last season, if she does double down on Ironman this year.
That certainly seems the plan for the 2021 champion and 2023 runner-up in Taupō.
“I am aiming to complete a full set of races for the Pro Series this year, and I would love to once again finish within the top 10, aiming for a higher placing overall,” Berry told Ironman Oceania.
Berry’s blueprint for 2026, though light on event specifics, is fascinating after she closed out last year 11th in the T100 final standings after a career breakout 4th at the Ironman World Championships in Kona in October.
That performance on the Big Island was trademark Berry; quietly chip away with consistency across the disciplines while others blow up. Nothing overly flashy but rarely out of contention.
In Taupō, more of the same fron the third seed will be dangerous. She doesn’t need to match Matthews, Hollioake (pictured below), McCauley, Lotte Wilms (NLD), Fenella Langridge (GBR) and fellow Kiwi Rebecca Clarke move for move, rather execute her own race and let her consistency carry her to a strong start to the season.
“I think a successful day is one where I am able to execute a performance that I know I’m capable of currently,” Berry said.
“It’s early season so we don’t know what kind of form anyone else is in yet, but I feel confident in my form for a good early season Ironman. A successful day is also one where I can enjoy moments of the course out there with fellow competitors and supporters and can stay present and positive through all the challenges the day brings.”
The Tauranga Half in mid-January provided a template. Berry finished runner-up to two-time Olympian Nicole van der Kaay while nursing a calf strain through the run, a small but telling reminder of how she measures effort: carefully, intelligently, and always with the bigger picture in mind.
You can follow the Pro women’s and men’s races live from 7:15am Saturday via the Ironman Pro Series website and/or Ironman YouTube channel.
2026 ANZCO Foods Ironman New Zealand
Women’s Professional Field
F1 – Regan Hollioake (AUS)
F2 – Kat Matthews (GBR)
F3 – Hannah Berry (NZL)
F4 – Jocelyn McCauley (USA)
F5 – Lotte Wilms (NLD)
F6 – Maja Stage Nielsen (DNK)
F7 – Danielle Lewis (USA)
F8 – Nina Derron (CHE)
F9 – Gabrielle Lumkes (USA)
F10 – Rebecca Clarke (NZL)
F11 – Steph Clutterbuck (GBR)
F12 – Tamara Jewett (CAN)
F14 – Fenella Langridge (GBR)
F15 – Chloe Lane (AUS)
F16 – Alexia Bailly (FRA)
F17 – Hannah Knighton (NZL)
F18 – Rhianne Hughes (GBR)
F19 – Line Bonde (DNK)
F20 – Katie Treston-Torney (USA)
F21 – Mizuki Hirayanagi (JPN)
