Five podiums, three silvers, two wins, and one massive payday - Matthews just showed the tri world that consistency beats perfection in the inaugural Pro Series chase.
Want to know how to turn second place into a $363,000 payday? Just ask Kat Matthews, who's just written herself into the history books as the first-ever Ironman Pro Series champion.
Let's rewind to how we got here. Matthews went into Ironman 70.3 World Championship needing to finish within 34 minutes of the leader to overtake Jackie Hering's series lead. She did slightly better than that - try 1:15 behind Taylor Nib. Not bad for a day's work.
That blistering 75-minute run chase we witnessed? Turns out it wasn't just about world championship glory - it was about securing a proper payday. Talk about motivation to keep the legs turning over.
Want consistency? Here's Matthews' 2024 highlight reel:
Remember when we questioned if racing every weekend might hurt Matthews' chances? Yeah, about that... Turns out the "race yourself fit" philosophy works pretty well when you're pocketing podium prizes at every stop.
"I'm really proud to finish the year with the goal that we set out at the start," Matthews said post-race, probably while trying to figure out if her bank account has a maximum deposit limit.
But here's the really interesting bit - this wasn't just about the cash. The Pro Series changed how athletes approached their season, creating what Matthews called "a real logistical challenge, as well as a physical one." Just ask the likes of Ash Gentle and Taylor Nib, who had to balance Olympic ambitions with long-course dreams.
With 20,761 points, Matthews hasn't just won the inaugural series - she's set a benchmark that's going to have future contenders reaching for their calculators. That's what happens when you podium at basically every major race you enter.
While Matthews is obviously the headline act, the Pro Series spread the love around:
The question now isn't just whether anyone can catch Matthews next year - it's whether anyone can match this level of consistency. Though with a $200K bonus on the line, we're betting plenty will try.
One thing's for certain - Matthews' accountant is probably having a very good day. And somewhere in Britain, there's a bike shop owner wondering why Cat Matthews just pre-ordered every piece of equipment for 2025.
For those keeping score at home, Matthews' total 2024 earnings (including race prizes and bonus) hit $363,000. Not bad for someone who spent most of the year coming second - though try telling that to anyone who saw her hunting down Taylor Nib in Taupo.
