Nelson Mandela Bay played host to the 18th ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship and 2nd ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday, March 5, 2023. The day saw PRO triathletes Leon Chevalier (FRA) and Laura Philipp (GER) claim victory in a time of 07:11:44 and 08:01:59 respectively.
Athletes kicked off the day with a shortened swim due to incoming storm weather reports, which resulted in the athlete start times being delayed by 30 minutes. The 3.8km swim course was reduced to 900m for the ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship PROs and age-groupers. And the ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Nelson Mandela Bay 1.9km swim course was reduced to 900m. With the water temperature reading 21.9 degrees Celsius.
Finishing just behind Chevalier was Bradley Weiss (ZAF), who again picked up the second podium spot after doing so in 2022. The third and last podium spot went to Mathias Lyngso Petersen (DEN). The PRO women’s podium saw Fenella Langridge (GBR) take second place behind Philipp. Langridge making a return to South Africa for the first time since her 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship appearance in Nelson Mandela Bay. Rounding up the podium in third was Penny Slater (AUS).
“The day started off with uncertainty, with lightning and thunderstorms, and it was a tough call to make for the organization but to shorten the swim was the right call. And probably what was best for everyone’s safety,” said Chevalier. He continued, “I was near the front of the race coming out the water and then I worked hard on the bike. I was on the bike with the two local boys, Matt Trautman and Bradley Weiss, and we worked hard on the bike. Unfortunately, Trautman had a puncture, and I was able to distance Bradley, which is good because I know he is such a strong runner. Then I set off on the run, Cameron Wurf (AUS) was up front, but I managed to reel him in quickly. I had two good laps on the run and two tough ones, and it got really warm on course too. There was an amazing crowd and great support throughout the course, it was unbelievable. I am really happy with that win.”
Chevalier was not the only one with a great race, Laura cruised to victory making it look easy. She shares, “I was very happy that we still got to swim a little bit. Then it was full gas on the bike. On the run, the humidity really picked up and that made me suffer. Overall, I think I had one of the toughest days in my life, that run was really brutal and without this amazing crowd I would have walked or not made it to the finish line, so thanks so much.”
Philipp continues, “This race is obviously something special, many great athletes have won it before, and I am honored to be one of them now. It’s a beautiful place with lovely people, I enjoyed racing here today.”
ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship results:
Professional women:
1. Laura Philipp (GER) – 8:01:59
2. Fenella Langridge (GBR) – 8:13:17
3. Penny Slater (AUS) – 8:17:25
4. Laura Zimmermann (GER) – 8:20:57
5. Marlene de Boer (NLD)– 8:22:13
Professional men
1. Leon Chevalier (FRA) – 7:11:44
2. Bradley Weiss (ZAR) – 7:16:03
3. Mathias Lyngso Petersen (DNK) – 7:20:55
4. Rasmus Svennningsson (SWE) – 7:23:15
5. Cameron Wurf (AUS) – 7:27:55
To find out more about ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship visit https://www.ironman.com/im-south-africa.