The Zalaris Norseman Xtreme Triathlon and World Championship in xtreme triathlon might have appeared less daunting this year, with calm waters, pleasant temperatures in Eidfjord, and a breathtaking sunrise. However, don't be deceived, Mount Gausta remains as unforgiving as ever.
At dawn, 259 athletes took the iconic 5 a.m. plunge from the ferry, greeted by 17 degrees Celsius and a mirror-like fjord. As anticipated, Norwegian Jørgen Gundersen quickly surged ahead on the swim and maintained his lead up to the Imingfjell climb, where he was gradually overtaken by the Swedish athlete Sebastian Norberg. From that point, Norberg dominated the race, extending his lead and clinching victory in the 21st edition of Norseman with a time of 10 hours and 10 minutes.
"I have never been so exhausted. The course is absolutely stunning, and I am beyond thrilled," Norberg exclaimed after his finish.
Behind Norberg, a fierce battle for the remaining podium spots was fought. The support teams of the German triathlete Lars Wichert and French competitor Aure´lien Le Lay did not manage to keep up with their athletes, forcing the athletes to stay waiting at the finish line. Wichert claimed second in a time of 10 hours 39 minutes, while the support of Le Lay had a sprint finish to claim third in 10 hours 40 minutes, only 15 seconds ahead of Jørgen Gundersen. Ahead of the race, Wichert was among the favourites, following his new age group world record at long-distance triathlon in June this year.
In the women's race, German professional athlete Laura Zimmermann seized the lead in T1 and dominated the bike segment with an impressive 5 h 52 minutes bike split. Zimmermann crossed the finish line as the first female and the eighth overall finisher, posting a time of 11 hours 30 minutes.
"It was a great experience and a truly fair race, just how triathlon should be," Zimmermann said at the finish line at Mount Gausta.
Like in the men's race, there was a battle for the two last podium spots. British athlete Claire Weller held second place in most of the race but was overtaken by Norwegian Kaja Bergwitz- Larsen, who finished at 12 hours and 13 minutes, during the gruelling final ascent up Gaustatoppen. Weller finished at 12 hours 25 minutes.
Norseman is still ongoing. The last athletes are expected to cross the finish line around midnight.
Results here: https://racetracker.no/events/2024/nxtri/?state=results-only