Men’s Professional Athlete Field Announced for VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France

September 1, 2023

- Three-time IRONMAN World Champion, Jan Frodeno headlines the field in Nice for his ‘last dance’ - Challengers include fellow German Patrick Lange, last year’s runner up, Sam Laidlow (FRA), as well as Joe Skipper (GBR), Magnus Ditlev (DNK), Braden Currie (NZL), Rudy Von Berg (USA) and Cameron Wurf (AUS) among others - Strong French field in the likes of Leon Chevalier, Clement Mignon and Denis Chevrot also expected to play into their home advantage

NICE, France/ TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – An elite field of professional triathletes from around the globe are preparing to descend on Nice, France for the first ever IRONMAN^® World Championship triathlon in Europe. On Sunday 10 September, the men’s edition of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon will see professional and age-group men swim, bike, and run along the French Riveria in what is set to be a defining moment in IRONMAN history. The most iconic endurance event in the world will bring together over 2,000 of the world’s top professional male triathletes who will battle for a piece of the $375,000 USD Male professional prize purse and the title of IRONMAN World Champion. Live race day coverage of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon can be viewed by visiting, www.ironman.com/live.

“We are so excited to be joined by some of the world’s top class athletes in Nice for this historical moment in IRONMAN World Championship history.” said Andrew Messick, President & Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “Nice is the perfect dual host for the inaugural VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Europe; it will offer a different, yet just as rewarding challenge to what we may be used to in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, but ultimately the best and strongest athlete on the day will be crowned IRONMAN World Champion. I can’t wait to see how this race unfolds.”

In the absence of reigning IRONMAN World Champion, Gustav Iden, a new IRONMAN World Champion will be crowned. Wearing bib number one will be three-time IRONMAN World Champion, two-time IRONMAN^® 70.3^® World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jan Frodeno (DEU). Having already announced he would be retiring at the end of the season, this will be Frodeno’s last chance to clinch a fourth IRONMAN World Champion title. Compatriot and rival, Patrick Lange, will be looking for one final showdown for the history books, after the pair famously dominated top place on the podium between the years of 2015 and2019.

Looking to make a statement against the Germans in their home country will be Sam Laidlow, Leon Chevalier, Clement Mignon and Denis Chevrot. As last year’s runner-up, Laidlow will undoubtedly be keen to continue his strong form, and earn a top spot on the podium. Chevrot should also not be underestimated following a strong season so far, which included becoming two-time IRONMAN European Champion. Local Clement Mignon is also no stranger to the course after winning the 2023 IRONMAN France Nice triathlon just over two months ago.

Following a year of impressive performances, Magnus Ditlev (DEN) will be a strong contender for the top spot. In addition, Joe Skipper (GBR) who won the 2023 Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon, Braden Currie (NZL) who became the 2023 IRONMAN Asia-Pacific triathlon Champion, , and Rudy Von Berg (USA) who took the win at Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas triathlon aamongst others will all join in the battle for a spot on the IRONMAN World Championship podium.

As a nod to the immense triathlon history that exists in the European birthplace of long-distance triathlon that is Nice, France, the race will be centered around the “Promenade des Anglais”, Nice’s most famous walkway – and an iconic location which has seen some of triathlon’s elite race to victory, from Paula Newby-Fraser to Mark Allen. These professional men will be looking to add their name to the star-studded list of triathletes that have gone on to etch their name in triathlon history in Nice, France.

Beginning with the Mediterranean Sea swim, athletes will enter the water from the Promenade des Anglais and follow a double rectangular out and back course in the water, before embarking on one of the most iconic bike courses in all of the triathlon world. Technical and challenging but rewarding in its beauty, athletes will take in the rooftop villages of Vence, Gourdon and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the ascent, before they cruise down the “Route de Thorenc” and through the “Clues de Gréolières” on the descent, famous for its stunning feature film backdrop scenery.

The flat four lap run course will take runners up and down the glitzy Promenade des Anglais, giving them the opportunity to soak up the Mediterranean Sea and infamous Chaises Bleues (blue chairs) on one side, and the luxury hotels and casinos on the other, while gaining encouragement by the crowds gathered at multiple spectator friendly points.

Further details of the course are below and can be found here.

A full list of professional men’s field listed below*:

*Subject to change

“A Fighting Chance”

Follow the @ironmantri social channels for a behind the scenes view of what it takes to have a chance at world-title glory. The ‘A Fighting Chance’ IRONMAN series will drop a new episode throughout race week, giving audiences a glimpse of what it takes to prepare for race day, as well as the staging behind such an iconic event. Enjoy live race-day coverage of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon globally via www.ironman.com/live.

For more information about the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship men’s race in Nice, France please visit. www.ironman.com/im-world-championship-nice. To learn more about the IRONMAN and IRONMAN ^® 70.3^® brands and series of events, please visit www.ironman.com. Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

Race week photography and content will be uploaded: HERE.

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About the IRONMAN World Championship

Since its inception in 1978 on the Island of O`ahu, the IRONMAN World Championship has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirational participants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikīkī to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with over 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah in May 2022, becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. After a two-year hiatus from Hawai`i due to COVID, the race returned to Kailua-Kona and for the first time took place as a two-day event in October. The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon will see the event take place in two different host locations and dates to allow for a dedicated world championship race for women and dedicated world championship race for men. With independent days of racing, the cumulative IRONMAN World Championship will host approximately 5,000 athletes as they embark on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.

About The IRONMAN Group     

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events including Haute Route^®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance      

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.