Chelsea Sodaro Claims Third at World Championships in Nice
Sodaro triumphs with a gritty performance in one of the toughest races of her career, securing a podium finish on her return to the world stage.
Nice, France – September 22, 2024 – Chelsea Sodaro (USA) showcased her resilience and elite talent by finishing third at the 2024 Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, marking a remarkable return to the podium after a challenging few years. Competing in what she described as “one of the hardest races of her life,” Sodaro completed the grueling course with a time of 9:04:38, behind silver medalist Kat Matthews (GBR) and winner Laura Philipp (GER).
This year’s event was historic, as the women’s World Championship was held in Nice for the first time, a departure from its traditional home in Kona, Hawaii. The venue change follows the decision to alternate between Kona and another international location for the men's and women's championships.
The competition took an unexpected turn even before race day. Pre-race favorite Lucy Charles-Barclay was forced to withdraw due to injury, leaving the field wide open. Another top contender, Anne Haug, dropped out after suffering a puncture during the race, further shaking up the competition and increasing the stakes for the remaining athletes.
For Sodaro, the day began with a 49:58 swim. As they moved into the first transition zone, she came away in a chase group of 11 athletes. The bike course, known for its two punishing climbs, would see the field reshuffle with local athletes surging ahead and some favorites faltering. Sodaro fought to fourth position, trailing the podium spots by just under seven minutes. At the front, Matthews and Phillipp played cat and mouse for first and second place.
Entering the 42.2km run in fourth place, Sodaro passed French athlete Manon Pierré to take hold of a podium position. As the kilometers ticked on and fatigue set in, Sodaro held on to the third position, eventually crossing the finish line 19 minutes after Philipp had claimed the title. Collapsing at the finish line, it was clear that she had given to secure her second podium at a World Championship, cementing her status as one of the sport’s elite athletes.
After the race, Sodaro reflected:
“The race was really tough. I had to fight for it all day long, and I had a solid swim. I raced my race on the bike and went for it on the run just my legs fell apart halfway through so it was all about grit and sticking with it and getting myself to the finish line.It feels great to be back on the podium. I think when you win the world championships, you're always aiming to get back on the top step, but I have such an amazing team supporting me that put in so much work in getting me to the line healthy and happy. And I'm really glad I could deliver a podium performance for all of those people.”
With her third-place finish, Sodaro secured her second podium finish at a World Championship and edged her name into On history, claiming the first-ever female podium finish at the World Championships for the Swiss sportswear brand.
Speaking on her achievement, Maria Ortega, Triathlon Athlete Manager at On said:
“We are incredibly proud of Chelsea. The journey back to the podium hasn’t been easy since her Kona victory two years ago. It’s inspiring to see how she’s navigated the highs and lows of the sport, working on both her physical and mental strength to deliver this performance. She’s a better version of herself, hungry for more and we know this is just the beginning.”
Fellow On athlete Fenella Langridge (GBR) who was amongst the first athletes to complete the swim, finished in an admirable 16th position, in a time of 09:42.55.
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
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