The idea of easing quietly into the new year clearly doesn’t apply to Ironman. With 2026 only eleven days old, the first race of the season is already in the books. While the Ironman calendar will now pause briefly, Diego Moya and Cecilia Pérez have ensured they start the year in style by claiming victory at Ironman 70.3 Pucon.

For Chile’s Diego Moya, the win on home soil was not just emotional, but emphatic. He crossed the line in 3:42:07, building a commanding margin of 8:47 over Argentina’s Luciano Taccone in second, with fellow Chilean Martin Baeza finishing third at 10:52 back.

Moya’s race followed a near-perfect script. He asserted control early in the swim, emerging at the front with only Vicente Trewhela and Cenzino Lebot able to stay close. On the bike, Trewhela dropped back, leaving Moya and Lebot alone at the head of the race. Any remaining tension disappeared during the run, however, as Moya quickly pulled clear to secure the win. Lebot struggled on the half marathon, losing significant time and eventually being overtaken by Taccone and Baeza in the battle for the remaining podium spots.

The women’s race proved equally decisive. Cecilia Pérez showed from the outset that she was the strongest athlete of the day. She exited the water in a six-woman lead group, but that pack quickly splintered on the bike. Only Chilean Macarena Salazar was able to stay with Pérez, while the rest were dropped one by one. As in the men’s race, the run removed all doubt: Pérez pulled away early and controlled the final 21 kilometers with authority.

Pérez claimed victory in 4:22:39. Behind her, the fight for the remaining podium places provided late drama. Italy’s Romina Biagioli secured second place in 4:29:11, while Francisca Garrido completed the podium in third.