Long-distance triathlon: Simon Fischer and Élodie Davy win on the Alpsman Xtrem at Lake Annecy
It is 6.30 am, the night is still dark, when the 390 participants of the Alpsman Xtrem are released in the middle of Lake Annecy for the first race of the day. A departure from a boat, on one of the most beautiful lakes in France, for a step, swimming, 3.8 kilometers, in water at 19.5 ° C.
Leaving Lake Annecy in the early morning. (Meryll Boulangeat)
In this early morning game, Jérémy Guérin was the fastest (54’19 ”). The day is already breaking when he treads the mainland. A short-term advance since, right out of the transition, Tony Moulai is in the lead. An advantage that the 2008 vice-world champion in the discipline retains over the entire cycling event.
On the menu of the latter, an almost complete crossing of the Bauges massif for a route worthy of a Tour de France. Green pastures and mountain ranges replace the blue of the lake. The landscapes follow one another over the pedal strokes. 183 kilometers, 4,300 meters of vertical drop and five passes to fill the gaps created on the aquatic part. 29th in swimming, Simon Fisher climbed onto the provisional podium before putting on the sneakers, just behind Tony Moulin and Florian Luquet, the men in shape of the day.
4,300m of vertical drop over 183 km cycled for participants. (F. Oddoux)
If the first 24 kilometers of the run, along the lake, struggle to widen the gaps, the ultimate test, the climb of Semnoz, is the scene of a great battle. 17 kilometers, 1300 meters of vertical drop for a dry climb, from the banks of the lake to the summit of Semnoz, at an altitude of 1700 meters.
12 hours of effort for less than 4 ‘difference
Effort, suspense and three champions separated by less than 4 minutes at the finish. After 12’4”46 of effort, Simon Fischer ended up winning ahead of Tony Moulai (12’8”18) and Charles Bouin (12’8”40), consistent throughout the day.
Moved, the winner of the day exults at the finish: “ That’s crazy ! I do not know what to say ! I had a plan and everything turned out the way I wanted, or even better. I enjoyed swimming, it was great! On the run, I started strong, I had a hard time. In a second everything came back. The climb up Semnoz is great, everyone is encouraging each other, there is a great atmosphere which gave me wings. “
For his first participation, Tony Moulai was also delighted with the outcome of the debates: “ I was alone in front all day, without being able to pass the baton. In class on foot, I left at a very fast pace, underestimating my diet management. I had ups, downs, I lost. I had a boost of energy at the end before Charles overtook me. I do not know how I managed to come back up and just for that I am satisfied with my race! “
Still in the top 4, this is where Florian Luquet finished the race, almost 20 minutes after the podium. Only 105 triathletes were able to admire the magnificent panorama from the summit of Semnoz.
Two women at the top
Among these finishers, two women. Élodie Davy, fifth in swimming, took the lead during the bike race, keeping it until the finish line, achieving in the process the twenty-first place in the scratch (13 ‘ 37”07).
” I had good legs!, she explained. The start was complicated, it started quickly, swimming is not my strong point. The cycling part is great! An enormous difficulty but magnificent landscapes. You have to learn to manage your effort while enjoying it. For the running, I had some gastric problems at the start of the hill but everything was sorted out pretty quickly. The arrival at night, at the front, with the fog, we do not see it every day! A great event, a great organization! “
Barely arriving to ring the bell on the Esplanade de St-Jorioz, symbol of access to the final climb before the time barrier, and a highlight of the day for runners and supporters, Sabrina Rinaldi climbed to the ‘at the Semnoz plateau, thus achieving the second female performance of the day (15’39”07).