A dramatic show at the Ironman World Championship Nice … and we’ve got pictures to prove it

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The first iteration of the women’s edition of Ironman World Championship in Nice provided more than a bit of drama with race favourites either dropping out before the race or not finishing, along with a thrilling race between two of the other pre-race favourites through the audacious bike course and the first lap of the run. We look back at yesterday’s racing in words and pictures.

Kat Matthews has her game face on as she prepares for the big day.
Fenella Langridge would lead the way out of the water with Marta Sanchez close behind.
Anne Haug would trail by 4 minutes after the swim, but disaster struck early in the bike when she got a flat that couldn’t be repaired.
Simone Mitchell also flatted early on in the bike, but was able to get a wheel and continue to a 25th-place finish.
France’s Marjoleine Pierre broke away early on in the bike …
And received lots of coverage during the live stream.
Chelsea Sodaro remained in the hunt for another world title on the bike.
After catching Pierre and then having Matthews join the group at the front, Laura Philipp managed to stay near the front during the fast descents …
… That included some stunning scenery.
Penny Slater and Hannah Berry push hard on the bike.
There was lots of talk that we were in for another “Iron War” as Philipp and Matthews duelled through the first lap of the run, but it wasn’t long into the second loop before Philipp was able to pull away.
After coming off the bike in fourth, Sodaro managed to run past Pierre, but was never in a position to challenge for the win.
All smiles for Pierre as she sees her coach (and the Nice race director) Yves Cordier on the course.
More drama on the run course as Matthews is forced to a stop due to severe cramping.
There was no stopping Philipp as she flew through a 2:44 marathon to take the day.
Matthews was all smiles as she took her second world championship silver medal.
Sodaro was completely spent as she crossed the line.
Pierre was thrilled with her fourth-place finish at home in just her second Ironman race.
Fifth was a “dream come true” for Nikki Bartlett.
Penny Slater was thrilled with her seventh-place finish.
All smiles for the podium finishers – Kat Matthews, Laura Philipp and Chelsea Sodaro.

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