Ironman title: Laura Philipp triumphs in Nice after Haug defect drama

The triathlon crown went to: Laura Philipp.
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Laura Philipp has won the title for the first time at the Women's Ironman World Championship in Nice. On a day that was particularly dramatic for fellow favorite Anne Haug, the 37-year-old from Heidelberg triumphed at the finish line on the Promenade des Anglais after 3.86 kilometers of swimming, 180.2 kilometers of cycling and 42.2 kilometers of running. Philipp won ahead of Briton Katrina Matthews (+8:04 minutes) and American Chelsea Sodaro (+19:23).

Philipp is the second German Ironman World Champion after Haug's World Championship triumph in 2019. A year ago, she finished third in the title decider in Hawaii behind Briton Lucy Charles-Barclay and Haug.

After Charles-Barclay's cancellation due to muscular problems less than 24 hours before the start, the chances of the two German co-favorites had already increased further in the first women's title award in France.

Haug: Defective, no replacement hose, no mechanic

Then Haug had to give up after a good hour of racing. The 41-year-old from Bayreuth had come out of the water with Philipp. After a few hundred meters, however, they rode their bikes to the side again. She had a cut in her tire. She didn't have a second tire with her. Haug dropped out after hoping in vain for a mechanic for almost half an hour.

She feels “great disappointment,” said Haug in ZDF: “You prepare all year for this one race. The fact that you only make it this far is of course tragic.” She had never ended a long-distance race prematurely before.

“It’s about pushing through when it really hurts”

Meanwhile, Philipp started to catch up on the bike and quickly gained time and places on the demanding route with around 2,400 meters of elevation, having started in 13th place. After about half of the 180.2 kilometers, the former European champion had moved up to the front. On another climb, she increased the pace again, but was caught again by Matthews on a long descent.

After a somewhat hectic change on the running course, they quickly caught up again and ran alongside each other at times. After just over ten kilometers of the final marathon, Philipp pulled ahead and ran again and again with a smile on her face towards the greatest triumph of her career. In addition to the glory, she also received a bonus of 125,000 US dollars (around 112,000 euros) for the victory.

“I am simply speechless, I am so happy,” said Philipp in ZDF: “It was an incredibly cool day, even if not everything went smoothly. It's about pushing through when it really hurts. I managed that. It's the best feeling in the world.”

The men will not crown their world champion until October 26 in Hawaii.