NICE, France (Sept. 22, 2024) – The world’s top female triathletes had the world looking on as they swam, biked and ran across the Côte d’Azur today in a bid to be crowned the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN® World Champion. In a field of over 40 professional women, it was Laura Philipp of Germany who clinched the crown, with Kat Matthews of Great Britain and Chelsea Sodaro of USA completing the podium.
The race kicked off with the 2.4-mile (3.8km) ROKA Swim Course in the blue Mediterranean waters of Baie des Anges. Athletes then embarked on the scenic and challenging 112-mile (180.2km) FULGAZ® Bike Course which followed through the hinterland of Nice via the beautiful hillside villages. Along with stunning coastline, and charming villages, the course also featured challenging climbs and technical descents with elevation gains of up to 7,900 ft. (2400 meters). The four-loop 26.2-mile (42.2km) HOKA Run Course spanned end-to-end of the iconic Promenade des Anglais, passing alongside the famous beach clubs, the Chaises Bleues (blue chairs), and the monumental Negresco Hotel, all with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop. With each loop, competitors experienced the crowd’s energy as they tackled the flat, fast run course, and pushed their limits culminating in a World Class finish line experience.
EARLY RISERS: Marine life had some company this morning as they were joined by nearly 1,300 professional and age-group women as they took to the clear azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea to compete in the first leg of the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship adventure. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
STEPPING UP: As the sun begins to rise, the world’s best professional female triathletes line up on Plage des Ponchettes as they prepare to start their 180km swim-bike-run journey in Nice, France. Photo Credit: Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
A PHOTO WORTHY CLIMB: The hinterland of Nice provides the picture-perfect backdrop for the FULGAZ® Bike Course at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. Athletes grappled with sustained climbs, steep ascents, and winding roads, but were rewarded with the beauty of the iconic Clues de Gréolières and quaint rooftop villages.
(Photo Credit: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images for IRONMAN), (Photo Credit: Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
KAT AND MOUSE: Kat Matthews and Laura Philipp ran neck and neck along the Promenade des Anglais, until Philipp eventually broke away, maintining her first place to take the world championship title. Meanwhile, a hungry Chelsea Sodaro of the USA hunted down Marjolaine Pierré (FRA) to run herself into third position. (Photo Credit: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images for IRONMAN) –
PRE-RACE NERVES: Athletes finish their last-minute preparations early on race morning at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France. The newly crowned IRONMAN World Champion Laura Philipp keeps her game face on while in transition ahead of the swim start. (Photo Credit: Bartłomiej Zborowski for IRONMAN)
UP AND OUT: Athletes exit the water following the 2.4-mile ROKA swim course in Nice’s ‘Baie des Anges’ at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship
(Photo Credit: Bartłomiej Zborowski/Activ Images for IRONMAN)
RAW EMOTION: After spending the majority of the day with her poker face on, Laura Philipp (DEU) finally realises her amazing achievement as she storms to her maiden IRONMAN World Championship victory. Kat Matthews (GBR) celebrates her second place finish, and Marjolaine Pierré (FRA) is overjoyed to come fourth in her hometown. (Photo Credit: Bartłomiej Zborowski/Activ Images for IRONMAN)
SAUTER DE JOIE !: Marine Carpentier, an age group athlete from France, jumps in excitement after crossing the finish line at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France on Sunday, Sept. 22 (Photo credit: Bartlomiej Zborowski for IRONMAN)
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWERS: Athlete pass beneath a lite drizzle to cool them off while on the Promenade des Anglais on the HOKA run course at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France on Sunday, Sept. 22 (Photo credit: Bartlomiej Zborowski for IRONMAN)