Vincent Luis crowned Ironman world champion in the last race of his career

Vincent Luis could not have had a better ending. For the last race of his career, in the historic format of the Ironman and its birthplace of Kona in Hawaii, the Frenchman became world champion on Sunday October 11. Luis had already won in 2019 and 2020 and then favored the Olympic triathlon format. He is now happily retired, with one of the finest records in the history of his sport.

Luis built his apotheosis with patience and intelligence and could well fall to his knees at the finish line. “I have fought all my life for an Olympic medal and I always say that there are two things in the world of triathlon: Olympic gold and the Kona title” he explained to Voix du Nord. The Hawaiian island course is the hardest and most demanding on the planet.

And the weather conditions got involved, with a rough ocean for the first part of 3.8 kilometers of open water swimming. Coming out of the water at the back of the top 10, the native of Vesoul put himself in the best position to put in a great performance. “I'm super happy, I always stayed towards the front of the race, I said to myself, if I have to leave I really want to do a race where I am an actor” he assured Trimax Triathlon Magazine.

A great marathon to conclude

Still in the game after the 180 kilometers of cycling, he made the difference during the marathon while several favorites (like the Frenchman Sam Laidlow, world champion in 2023) threw in the towel, or gave up. In 7h47'27'', Vincent Luis won ahead of the Norwegian Gustav Iden (7h49'03”) and the American Matthew Marquardt (7h49'59”). Pierre Le Corre, another Tricolore in spirit, finished 5th.

In the absence of the Olympic individual grail (bronze in the team relay in Tokyo in 2021), Vincent Luis offers himself the greatest consolation prize for his first participation in Kona. Not enough to make him change his mind about the rest of his career. “I could sign more big contracts but the money doesn't motivate me that much, especially if it's to be injured, if I continued for another year, what would I do better?” he asked himself at the microphone of Trimax Triathlon Magazine. “I just want to be happy when I open my Wikipedia page tonight and read the list of victories.”

Among the women, the French Anne-Sophie Pierre took 9th place in the race dominated by the American Taylor Knibb.