by Fermanagh athlete Jenny Elliott York competed with the best of the best in IRONMAN when she represented Ireland at the Vinfast IRONMAN World Championships in Nice, France in September.
The World Championships are the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events where more than 94,000 athletes (20 percent women) compete for qualifying spots.
Reflecting on her competition in Nice, Jenny said: “I was lucky enough to be one of 1,400 athletes qualified for the 2024 women’s event on Sunday 22 September.
“This was organized in Nice for the first time to facilitate events dedicated to men and women, alternating each year with races in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Nine other athletes came from Ireland to participate and, the meeting during registration, none of them were welcomed we could really believe that we were going to be able to run in a place like this!”
The temperature limit for an IRONMAN triathlon to be legal in a wetsuit is 23.5°C for age group athletes. The water temperature was over 25 degrees during race week and the race appeared to be run in swimsuits only.
“In Ireland, water temperatures rarely exceed average and wetsuits are the norm. We weren’t looking forward to swimming without a wetsuit, knowing it would make the swim more difficult and our time slower. Fortunately, conditions cooler and windier weather set in and dropped the water temperature to 21.4°C. At 5:15 a.m. on race morning, IRONMAN confirmed that wetsuits would be permitted.
The race began with a 3.8 km sea swim in the Baie des Anges. From a massive start in deep water 25 m from the shore, the competitors followed a double rectangular round trip course perpendicular to the coastline and in the shape of the letter “M”.
“Conditions were rougher than expected with good swell making observation difficult and we were happy with the extra buoyancy from our wetsuits.
“Safety is always paramount and we were surrounded by kayaks, jet skis and rescue boats, and we even spotted divers at the furthest points from shore!
“Back on shore, volunteers formed a human chain to help us get out of the water and up a steep paved beach to T1.”
After quickly drying off and changing into their cycling gear, they headed out 10km along the Promenade des Anglais and set off on a 180.2km (112 mile) loop cycle, recognized as one of the most difficult IRONMAN courses with steep climbs and elevation changes. of 7963 ft/ 2427 m), technical descents with hairpin turns and steep drops.
Jenny continues: “Conditions remained cool and windy, but the scenery was stunning as we drove under limestone cliffs, through man-made tunnels and along mountain meadows. The climbs were tough but manageable, and the final descent was incredibly fast.
“My new bike, kindly sponsored by Future Renewables of Ballinamallard, has certainly helped!”
Back at T2, it was time for another change, this time into sneakers and off to the marathon, a fairly flat four-loop run to the airport and back.
The crowds of spectators and two aid stations provided good support, with stunning views as dusk fell and the lights lit up all along the coast.
“The atmosphere was electric as I reached the end of the fourth loop and was able to run down the red carpet to the finish and congratulations from Joanne Murphy, the lead commentator, a friend and fellow triathlete from Galway.
“The race was the hardest Ironman event I have ever competed in, but it was an incredible experience that I will never forget.”
