In this file photo for illustration purposes only, athletes compete in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 18, 2021 | Photo courtesy of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — Early morning Saturday, over 2,500 top triathletes from around the world dove into the cold water of Sand Hollow Reservoir, as the kickoff of the Ironman World Championship triathlon began.
As the sun rose over sandstone vistas, racers swam 2.4 miles across the reservoir, a mere warm-up before dashing out of the water for their bikes to embark on a 112-mile ride.
Taking athletes past the surrounding red rock wilderness that serves as a trademark for Greater Zion, the bike route courses from Hurricane to Gunlock and is known for hills, including a relentless 4-mile hill climb.
Trading bicycles for running shoes, racers will then embark on the final stretch: a 26.2-mile course marathon that will begin at a transition area on Tabernacle Street. From there, athletes will head to Bluff Street and then follow the course to Snow Canyon Parkway, looping back through Mathis Park, a new stop along the way and a great place for spectating.
The race culminates in the heart of St. George in Town Square, where both the finish line and Ironman Village are located.
Racers will be crossing the finish line into the wee hours of Sunday morning, and St. George News is here to have you covered along the way with live updates you can find here.
10:120 a.m.: Hilly sections challenges leaders
Braden Currie makes a move on long climb to take the lead briefly, while Kyle Smith, Florian Angert, Sam Laidlow and Daniel Baekkegard continue to push the pace in the lead pack. American Sam Long is currently 11th. The racers are now in a hilly and rural section of the race west of St. George. Daniella Ryf continues to lead the women’s pro division be nearly a minute over Kat Mattews 70 miles into the biking portion. She continues to lead Kat Mattews, Lisa Norden and American Sky Moench
Current temperature: 78 degrees; expected high is 91 with possible wind gusts in excess of 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
9:20 a.m.: Ryf pads early lead; Smith leads tight pack in men’s top group
Daniella Ryf holds a 10-second lead in the women’s pro division over Kat Matthews and Sky Moench. On the men’s side, Kyle Smith, Sam Laidlow, Daniel Baekkegard, Braden Currie, Florian Argent and Cameron Wurf comprise the lead pack at the 3-hour mark.
8:35 a.m.: Early leaders
Lisa Norden of Sweden leads the women’s pro division 2 hours, 15 minutes, into the competition. She finished the swim in 52:39. Trailing her are Daniella Ryf of Switzerland, Kat Matthews of Great Britain and Sky Moench of the United States. They are currently 32 miles into the bike portion.
Kyle Smith of New Zealand leads the men’s pro division, 42 miles into the bicycle portion. He is followed by Sam Laidlow of France and Daniel Baeldegard of Denmark. Sam Long currently is the top American in the men’s pro division and is in 13th place, approximately 4 minutes behind the leader.
UPDATE 7:07 a.m.: Laidlow first out of water; cyclists on Red Cliffs
Sam Laidlow of France was the first Ironman competitor out of the water as the Ironman swim event got underway Saturday morning. And as of 8:05 a.m., the first bicyclists were beginning to work their way up Red Hills Parkway.
Photo Gallery
Sam Laidlow from France (front right) was first out the water after completing the swim portion of the Ironman World ChampioChampionship on Saturday morning at Sand Hollow | Photo by G. Eric Goold, St. George News
Four-time Ironman champion Daniella Ryf of Switzerland leads the women’s pro division 39 miles into the bike segment, May 7, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Ironman Facebook page, St. George News
Triathletes pedal their way along West 100 North, May 7, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Ironman Facebook page, St. George News
Kyle Smith leads Daniel Baekkegard 64 miles into the 112-mile cycling segment of Ironman, May 7, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Ironman Facebook page, St. George News
Ironman competitior works his way up a hill in Washington City, May 7, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Lisa Cappiello, St. George News
Spectators in Washington City watch a bicyclist Saturday morning during the Ironman World Championships, May 7, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Lisa Cappiello, St. George News
Braden Currie charges to the lead during a climb around the 70-mile mark of the cycling portion of Ironman, May 7, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Ironman Facebook page, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.
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