Sloth Nielsen Sizzles and Mairhofer Repeats at 2024 XTERRA France

Sloth Nielsen Sizzles and Mairhofer Repeats at 2024 XTERRA France

XONRUPT, VOSGES, FRANCE
Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) and Sandra Mairhofer (ITA) continued their impressive 2024 XTERRA seasons, emerging victorious at XTERRA France.
The 17th annual off-road Full Distance race under the Vosges mountains took place on Sunday, July 7th.
The weekend’s festivities drew over 2,000 attendees, with elite competitors vying for an €18,000 Prize Purse in Lake Longemer’s chilly waters and Xonrupt’s challenging trails.
The Full Distance off-road triathlon started with both elite men and women taking off together from the beach.
In the bike segment, positions were established, with Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) taking the lead due to his exceptional biking skills. He achieved the fastest bike and run splits.
Maxim Chané (FRA) finished 2nd in his home race, while Sébastien Carabin (BEL) overcame early challenges to clinch third, finishing strong despite the course’s muddy conditions.
The women’s race highlighted Italian dominance with Sandra Mairhofer leading the charge.
Fresh from victories at XTERRA Oak Mountain and Belgium, Mairhofer excelled in the swim and dominated the bike section.
She expertly managed her lead throughout the race.
Bianca Morvillo (ITA) clinched second place, recovering from a weaker swim with a strong bike performance.
Anna Wer (POL) maintained a steady pace across all segments, effectively handling the muddy conditions on the run.

Top 3 Elite Quotes:

Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) :
“The bike was an epic course, the sun was out but the ground was almost as wet as the lake so it was pure carnage. It’s the kind of conditions that I like a lot. I felt good on the run so I just pushed it a bit but I played it a bit safe because I’m flying to Canada tomorrow for XTERRA Quebec.”

Maxim Chané (FRA):
“The swim was crazy, everything started really fast. Jens Emil caught me near the end on the bike but it was a nice one.”

Sébastien Carabin (BEL):
“I was a little sick before the start but I did my best for this race. The bike course is one of my favorites but it was quite muddy and slippery today.”

Sandra Mairhofer (ITA):
“I had a lot of fun on the bike. I really enjoyed the downhill. I did not push too much to not get a flat tire. I knew I had some time advantage to control my pace until the end.”

Bianca Morvillo (ITA):
“The best moment was the finish line with so many people and it was a great atmosphere.”

Anna Wer (POL):
“The run was an amazing mud battle, so I just tried to go at my own pace without risking an injury.”

A Full-Fledged Festival Weekend
This year, XTERRA France offered a triathlon for toddlers on balance bikes and a Kids Triathlon for 12-15-year-olds, fostering a fun and inclusive environment for young athletes.
The weekend featured a range of activities including a team SwimRun and a Sprint Triathlon for newcomers.
The event culminated with a vibrant finish line, a festive pasta party, and awards ceremonies celebrating achievements across all age groups.

X-TERRA World Tour