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2012 Ironman world champion Pete Jacobs announced today on his website that he will not be competing at Oct. 10’s Kona race. Jacobs says that an illness has prevented him from properly training for the Ironman World Championship.
“Kona is close to my heart, and I love racing there.” Jacobs said in a statement on Petejacobs.com. “There is no greater feeling in all of triathlon than being on that start line in the best shape of your life, except for crossing the line first. And neither of those things were a chance of happening without the most perfect preparation ever. I am taking the time to build up my health, and approach next year with a fresh mind and rested body.”
Jacobs has struggled to stay healthy since winning the world title. He finished as the 32nd male pro (79th overall) in the 2013 Ironman World Championship, and then DNF’ed in the 2014 race. As a recent Kona winner Jacobs was an automatic qualifier as long as he validated at a full Ironman, which he did at March’s Ironman Australia race. He still plans to head to the Big Island, tweeting “But I’m happy with the decision and look forward to seeing and enjoying the other side of Kona race week :)”