An exceptional return
Passy was the ideal location to welcome the 2,378 triathletes who competed all weekend. 3 of the 5 race formats were fully booked and over 300 participants were on the waiting list.The event - which returned after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 – set a new participation record, and combined with ideal weather, great atmosphere, spectators, and of course an exceptional setting, the recipe was perfect for a spectacular event.
The Mont-Blanc International Triathlon, which is held at the Passy leisure centre facing Mont-Blanc, enjoys an idyllic setting and crystal-clear water at 22°. Participants, spectators and volunteers enjoyed a breathtaking view of the majestic Mont-Blanc throughout the weekend.
A sensational setting for triathletes
The Mont-Blanc International Triathlon, held at the Passy leisure centre facing Mont-Blanc, enjoys an idyllic, internationally-renowned setting with crystal-clear water at 22°C. Participants, spectators and volunteers enjoyed a breathtaking view of the majestic Mont-Blanc throughout the weekend.
Races for everyone!
On Saturday morning, the Olympic format (M) took place, followed in the early afternoon by the Discovery (XS) and in the evening by the Sprint (S). The great novelty this year was the rolling start, i.e. 5 by 5, in order to have the necessary space to throw themselves into the water. The elites had a group start in the first wave.
On Sunday, the most experienced triathletes started the Half distance, climbing 1,786m+ in altitude including three mythical climbs: the Côte de Domancy, renamed “the Bernard Hinault climb”, followed by the Bettex climb over 6km before reaching the Plaine-Joux summit. Here, the mountain lovers were rewarded with an unobstructed view of Mont Blanc while crossing the communes of Passy and Saint-Gervais. A demanding and exhilarating course that delighted many. Julien, participant of the Half, said with a smile: “Thank you very much for the organisation, I had never seen that. The bike course is really excellent with a continuous panorama of the Mont-Blanc and the villages of the region. Coming from Reims, I had never seen anything like it. Thank you again and I can tell you right now, I will be back”.
At the same time, 104 children aged between 8 and 12 took off from the Passy leisure centre to face Mont Blanc and to achieve own personal goals. There were many outstanding performances and the parents and carers were delighted to see most of them competing in their first triathlons, as the next generation of triathletes showed the future of the sport looks bright.
Victories that make history
What will be remembered is the victory of Gabin Mantulet (FR) in the Half format. Gabin came to the end of the mythical Mont-Blanc International Triathlon and wrote a new page in the history of the Mont-Blanc International Triathlon with a new record of 4h07mn32s.
Delighted with his performance, Gabin looks back on his race: “I came here to have fun in the mountains after a lot of preparation and it worked. I had a lot of fun on the bike course with a great panorama, you can’t miss it. It’s my first participation in this triathlon and it’s quite special to win here and I want to thank the organisation. “
On the women’s side, it is the Swiss Sophie Herzog who wins the Half format in 4h57mn03s. She won far ahead of her competitors by storming the peaks of the Mont-Blanc region.
In the Relay, a mixed team, the Last Minute, composed of Emma BILHAM (professional triathlon athlete), Baptiste LE BARRE (young up-and-coming athlete) and Aymeric SCHMITT (member of the Club Mont-Blanc Triathlon) won in 4h32mn05s.
Frenchman Clément SIMON finished the Olympic format in 2h16mn06sec after a breathtaking race and neck and neck with British Henry James on the mountain tops. On the women’s side, Frenchwoman Laure TISSON, beat her Swiss competitor, Mathilde Cartier, by just 53 seconds after a battle throughout the race, winning in 2h43min17s.
A word from the Organising Committee
Event director Benjamin Chandelier expressed his happiness at the success of this beautiful event: “It is with great pride that we close this 17th edition. The entire organising team, partners and volunteers worked hand in hand to enable the participants to accomplish their sporting challenge. On behalf of the entire organising committee I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us in the preparation of the event. I would also like to thank our various partners without whom nothing would be possible. And finally, I would like to thank the communes of Passy and St-Gervais for their support, as well as the other communes that we passed through.”
