This Saturday, September 7, 2024, will be forever etched in my memory. I had the honor of winning the 36th edition of the Gérardmer XL Triathlon, finishing in a time of 4h45min38sec. Sharing the podium with Australian Ashleigh Gentle, 2nd (currently world number 1 in long-distance racing), and my teammate Nina Derron, 3rd, was a true privilege.

On my way to this victory, I broke the course record previously held by my fellow Swiss athlete Julie Derron. I also set a new bike course record with a time of 2h53min04sec, surpassing the previous record set in 2015 by Jeanne Collonge (2h53min53sec). These achievements, while gratifying, would never have been possible without the incredible support from the fans, volunteers, and fellow athletes along the course, as well as my parents and, of course, my coach Brett Sutton.

It was an incredible race with an electric atmosphere. The energy was palpable right from the start, shared with more than 1,500 motivated athletes. The mass start of the swim immediately immersed us in a collective energy, ready to conquer the Gérardmer XL Triathlon (1.9km swim – 93km bike – 21km run).

Over 20,000 spectators were cheering us on non-stop. During the bike section, especially in the climb of the Poli, I felt like I was in a stage of the Tour de France! Their energy truly lifted me and allowed me to push myself throughout the 93 km, with 1,800m of elevation gain over 3 laps. This course perfectly suited my riding style, and I felt right at home. Every pedal stroke was another chance to test my limits.

The run was just as fantastic. Even with the lead I had built on the bike, I didn’t let up. The fear of being caught kept me pushing hard all the way to the finish line, while enjoying every moment—the stunning scenery and the amazing support from the crowd—despite the fatigue. The cheers from the supporters and the other athletes gave me a seemingly endless source of energy, allowing me to keep pushing beyond my limits.

Beyond my personal performance, this day was marked by an incredible solidarity between athletes. I have deep respect for every participant who, in their own way, overcame immense challenges. Seeing such determination, effort, and willpower on the course deeply moved and inspired me.

It’s in moments like these that the true beauty and power of sport shine through.

I am immensely grateful to have shared this day with my parents and friends, who were there to support me. Their encouragement, along with that of the thousands of spectators, made this victory even more special.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day such a memorable experience: the organizers, the volunteers, the supporters, and of course, all the athletes. You were amazing, and this victory is as much yours as it is mine!

A day I will never forget. It’s exactly for moments like this that I do triathlon. Thank you, Gérardmer!