🇫🇷 From an epic field of superstars and compelling underdogs (we’re looking at you, Jack Moody!), to the breath-taking course and immersive multi-platform coverage, Sunday’s Ironman World Championship in Nice has a little something for everyone.
Watch live from 3.15pm NZ Time (race from 5.05pm) Sunday on ProSeries.Ironman.com or YouTube (you don’t have to forgo Saturday’s rugby test anyway!)
- Moody’s Our Man
Jack Moody (bib #55) is the sole Kiwi in the pro men’s field after Mike Phillips’ unfortunate late scratching (more on that below) and goes into his maiden full worlds with absolutely nothing to lose. Qualified with bronze at Ironman NZ in March and will take lessons from his 16th at Challenge Roth and recent 7th at 70.3 Hradec Kralove in the Czech Republic into the toughest test of his career yet.
“Just being on the start line puts me among the top 50 men in the world, which is something I’m proud of,” Moody told Sportzhub. “We’ve come in with the fitness and a plan to execute. To put that together on race day will be a win in itself, regardless of where I finish.”
Main photo: Tauranga Half
2. Kiwi Age Group Inspiration
Aaron Fleming (bib #1510) is among the more than 2500 men from 86 countries, regions and territories set to race Nice. Who is Aaron Fleming, you ask? A Kiwi age grouper with an extraordinary back story, that’s who. More on the Queenstown inspiration’s “impossible dream” here but till then, The Full Send sends speedy vibes to all the Kiwi weekend warriors in France.
3. Pro Depth (Sadly Sans Phillips)
More than 50 pros will line up on Sunday, including the last four world titleholders: Norwegians Kristian Blummenfelt (St. George 2022) and Gustav Iden (Kona 2022), Frenchman Sam Laidlow (Nice 2023 Champion) and Germany’s legendary Patrick Lange (Kona 2024). Sadly new Christchurch Dad Mike Phillips won’t be among the starters, as he revealed on social media earlier in the week:
4. Backdrop Beauty
Kona can’t be beat. It’s the spiritual home of Ironman and we can’t wait until we get back to the Big Island for good (hopefully) next year after the ladies do it solo for the final time next month. Mind you, the glittering Côte d’Azur isn’t hard on the eyes and we do quietly prefer the punishing Alpes-Maritimes climbs over Kona’s windswept lava field cycle course. Indeed, the terrain in Nice juxtaposes beauty and brutality.
5. Titans v Dark Horses
Sunday shapes as a fascinating duel between Sam Laidlow, Kristian Blummenfelt, Patrick Lange (pictured below), and Magnus Ditlev. But watch for “dark horses” such as Rudy von Berg, Gustav Iden, Leon Chevalier, Jonas Schomburg, and Marten Van Riel. Any one of them could shake up the outcome.
6. Pre-Race Insight
Sam Twine’s ‘Field Producer’s Preview’ offers an insider’s forecast of how Sunday may unfold, discussing aggressive swim strategies, Nice’s critical climbs and descents, and the strategic pressure of 6000 Ironman Pro Series points that could shake up season-long standings.
7. Pre-Race Pictures
Want more than TFS’s 10 meaty bullet points to get you in the mood? Race over to Ironman’s YouTube channel for their docu-series ‘A Fighting Chance’, plus look for new ‘Iron Will’ episodes which highlight what it truly takes to win the world title.
8. Stat Attack
49 – The average age of all registrants in Nice
86 – The number of countries, regions and territories represented with the top five being the USA, UK, Germany, France and Australia
40 – Qualifying races around the globe in 2024 and 2025 enabled athletes to reach the Ironman World Championship
1,500 volunteers will help across race week
9. Who You Gonna Call
Race day coverage will be anchored by former pros Mirinda Carfrae, Dede Griesbauer and Michael Lovato, with expert commentary from legends such as Greg Welch and Matt Lieto.
10. Real-Time Tracking
Enhance your viewing pleasure via the Ironman Athlete Tracker app which offers get real-time split times, live leaderboards and interactive maps. It’s the best way to experience every turn of the race, whether you’re tracking pro favourites or friends.
