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Human Interest Group Sports congratulates our two athletes who finished in the top 15 at the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii: America’s top IRONMAN Ben “THE HOFF” Hoffman claimed 9th spot and Brazil’s THIAGO VINHAL ran to 13th place.

“Kona is a test even for the best athlete, and while I know Hoff and Thiago had prepared for and wanted different outcomes, they both delivered impressive performances on a tough, competitive day and learned some important lessons for next year,” said Michael Cardoza, Human Interest Group Sports Director. “Good job, Ben and Thiago!”

Ben Hoffman
Hoffman’s overall time of 8:19:26 consisted of splits: 48:52 swim, 4:22 bike and 3:04:16 run.

Hoffman’s journey to Kona this year included winning the IRONMAN South Africa championship title, for the second year in a row, and taking the podiums at IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder (3rd place) and Santa Cruz (2nd place). With his 2nd place finish in 2014, Hoffman is the highest-ranking U.S. male athlete at the IRONMAN World Championship since Tim DeBoom in 2002.

Thiago Vinhal
In his first time competing at the IRONMAN World Championship, Vinhal clocked 8:27:24 with 49:00 swim, 4:37 bike and 2:55:58 run splits.

A member of Team Bravo Triathlon, the Brazilian triathlete took 5th place earlier this year at the IRONMAN South American Championship. Vinhal turned pro in 2012 and has placed in the top 10 at both IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races, including 2nd at IRONMAN Malaysia