The French triathlon has not gone far from a resounding coronation at the other end of the planet.
In Kona, on the archipelago of Hawaii, the young Frenchman Sam Laidlow crossed the finish line of the Ironman World Championship in second position, just behind the Norwegian Gustav Iden.
The 23-year-old triathlete finished the event in 7 hours and 42 minutes, two minutes more than the winner who also set a new record for the event.
The dolphin's time is nevertheless the best time ever achieved by a French triathlete with about seven minutes less than Antony Costes who held the French record so far.
To celebrate, the French fell on the podium two pints at the same time.
Fact: @laidlowsam1 can out-race you 🚴‍♂️
Also fact: Sam Laidlow can outdrink you 🍻#IMWC2022 #ironmantri pic.twitter.com/qG4ygERWEm
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 9, 2022
A top-flight performance on the bike part
Sam Laidlow was still leading the race at the 35th kilometer, when he was overtaken by Gustav Iden who had already distanced his compatriot and favorite of the day Kristian Blummenfelt who completed the podium.
The Frenchman came out of the water in second position at the end of the 3,800 meter swim and took the lead from the first pedal strokes of the cycling section, covering the 180 kilometers in 4 hours and 4 minutes, which is Kona's record in this segment.
Other French participants distinguished themselves on Saturday evening, namely Léon Chevalier and Clément Mignon who finished 7th and 9th respectively with times of 7 hours and 55 minutes and 7 hours and 56 minutes.
These times include five minutes of penalty received on the cycling part.
Another record established during this Ironman World Championship: it is the very first that the 10 best participants complete in less than 8 hours.