Ironman, Embrunman, Norseman, Alpsman… Just by the name of the most formidable triathlon events in the world, women may wonder if they are in their place on these XXL racing formulas. For the Alpsman, they will be only 18 (out of 280 participants), without the slightest professional, to throw themselves from a boat into Lake Annecy, in complete darkness, Saturday at 5:30 a.m. On the way then for more than 13 hours of an extreme event, with on the menu 3.8 km of swimming, 183 km of cycling (the equivalent of a “big stage of the Tour de France” according to the organizers, with 4,468 m of elevation gain), and 42 km of running (a marathon what), with bonus tracks the 1,280 m of D+ final ascent to Semnoz for the best placed.
Winner of the Alpsman last year in 1:37 p.m., Elodie Davy had the pleasure of being one of the two women top finishers, namely having rung the famous Tournant bell before 5:30 p.m., which allows access to the summit of Semnoz via 16 km of climbing. “It’s a big challenge for everyone, not just for women, says the 39-year-old Nantes athlete, who will put her title on the line on Saturday. Personally, I started triathlon ten years ago with the format L and not S. We feel a lot of respect from our male competitors, even if we see reactions of pride from some men, when I double by bike. They are well aware that a triathlete can also be competitive over longer distances. »
“On the ultra, the gaps are often reduced between men and women”
Moreover, the performance in 2021 of this sports educator in a retirement home ranked her 21st in the scratch ranking (men and women combined). New proof, like Courtney Dauwalter’s 7th place overall in the UTMB 2021, that women have a say in extreme formats.
“That’s why it’s a little infuriating when Ironman only communicate on short distances with the female public, notes Marine Rosselle (32), who will discover the Alpsman XXL on Saturday. We know that on ultra distances, the gaps are often reduced between men and women. But when I see organizers encouraging women to register for a certain distance, it encourages me to aim for the one above. »
“I may never swim again in my life!” »
Mother of 8-year-old twins, the teacher from Haute-Marne will dive into the icy water of Lake Annecy “for self-transcendence”. Accustomed to big cycling races, since she won the Race across France last year (1,100 km and 20,000 m of D+ in complete autonomy completed in three days and 6 hours), she is therefore coming to take the XXL triathlon test in Annecy .
“It’s THE thing to achieve in this discipline, she enthuses. People who finish this race are seen as crazy. It’s not something I imagined I could aim for one day, but I don’t put up any barriers. When I announce the distances, I see my friends’ eyes widen. And sincerely, I don’t like to swim, so from Sunday, I may not swim at all in my life! »
“Simultaneous starts in the water can impress”
It is precisely this initial test that crystallizes the apprehension of female triathletes participating in an Ironman. “Given the huge physical difference with the men, the simultaneous starts in the water can be impressive, says Elodie Davy. We find ourselves in the middle of men who grab our feet without realizing it. »
This is why, unlike the Alpsman, some races prefer to advance or even delay the start of female athletes by 10 minutes compared to that of men. Not necessarily the idea of the century, according to Christine Dugelay (53), registered for the Alpsman and finisher of two other Ironman XXL.
During the M format in Aix-les-Bains, where we leave 10 minutes before the men, I thought I was going to drown as I literally got swamped when the guys caught up with me. And when you leave after everyone else, the water has been stirred up so much that you’re swimming in the mud, and you end up risking a race alone. But hey, the mass start is the horror of the fight, even when I shift as much as possible, even if it means wasting a little time. »
“My children take me for a nice crazy”
Mother of three children, this manager in the food industry in the Lyon region had the click when her husband bought her a bike in 2016. Christine Dugelay now trains 15 hours a week on average, 6 days a week, and has even a coach.
“I was looking for a risky discipline and I like this pressure that we put on ourselves during the six months of preparation for an Ironman XXL, appreciates the one who calls herself “Ironwoman”. My children think I’m crazy, especially since I don’t look like a swimmer at all, since I’m 1.50 m tall. I am the proof that regularity in training pays off, and that you can get into triathlon regardless of your physique. »
“Encouragement multiplied by ten when you are a woman”
A statement shared by Lorena Rondi (28 years old), “very unsportsmanlike” before embarking fully on the adventure of triathlon in 2017. “Horse riding was the only sport I practiced until adolescence, and my coach found that I didn’t have enough breath for this discipline”, smiles the young Annecienne, finisher last year of the monstrous Embrunman, “the challenge of a lifetime”, and turned to its first Alpsman. “In such an ultra race, we go through all the emotions, that’s really what I’m looking for, continues the one who works in event marketing. outdoors, and who often trains on his lunch break. You really shouldn’t put limits on your goals, as long as you prepare thoroughly. »
Finally, how do these 6% of women on an Ironman XXL like the Alpsman (compared to 37% on the short Experience formula) experience their isolation in a male peloton? “In any case, I don’t feel machismo at all in these events”, slice Marine Rosselle. “During the race, the encouragement is multiplied by ten when you are a woman, appreciates Lorena Rondi. Mentalities are gradually changing, even if cycling races have chosen to create formats exclusively reserved for women and of course short. This only reinforces gender inequalities. We have our place as much as the men on these XXL events. » Starting « Fight » in the icy waters of Annecy apart, Elodie, Marine, Christine, Lorena and the other « Ironwomen » will give everything to stand up to the men on Saturday.