It was incredible!
Months before, the athletes of the 2024 edition were gathered through Facebook pages or on the WhatsApp group. We shared our training, our ideas, our fears and also shared our advice.
I was also lucky that a Chilean contacted me and offered his help during our stay, his name is Victor.
When we found ourselves in Patagonia, it was magical. An energy was created, thanks a lot to the organizers who, out of passion, do this race.
We shared together our last training before the race. It was very nice because during the race some of us met during the run.
2 days before the race, there is a social swim ... it is a moment of sharing between us. Not to be missed.
When the time comes for the race where you have to set up your transition 1, get ready, get on the ferry... there is a feeling of well-being... finally the race... but also a feeling of fear of the unknown. This fear is very pleasant because it allows you to surpass yourself.
I was one of the first to get on the ferry and I found a small warm place... at the very back on the left ;) and I sat down there quietly and relaxed while chatting with the other friends around. I also saw some athletes pacing along the ferry. This made the fear rise a little...
When we were not far from the JUMP time, I got out of my small place and went under the water jets to prepare my body for the cold water (12 degrees) in which we are going to jump.
It's the JUMP, I put myself in the 1st again, to be ready on the starting line when it rings.
The swim was hard with the current and the waves... I drank a lot of water but I came out 23rd. And yet at home in Mauritius the water is always 22 degrees or more. I was super happy with my swim.
The bike is the part where I am the weakest. It was my first race on a TT bike too. The first part of the bike is great, smooth and then comes the climbs... the long climbs... But what satisfaction when arriving at the top of each climb to see these magnificent landscapes.
That day the gods were with us. The weather was incredibly beautiful... Cold but beautiful. When the sun is out I am happy.
I had dressed for the cold and I never changed my clothes during the race.
After 100km, we had a very strong headwind, things got a little complicated for me, and I was waiting for this last descent. But my gears weren't working well anymore... I didn't understand... and my speed decreased. It gave me a bit of stress... The last 15km are downhill... With a crazy wind. I'm not very good at cycling and I had my hands on the brakes to avoid being propelled to the ground by the wind. At that moment I hoped that my gears wouldn't let me down.
Finally at T2, where I see my wife, my son and amigo Victor. During the whole bike part, we met at certain points for supplies. Note that I had done the course by car a few days before to get to know the road better and see the difficulties.
I was happy to be at T2, I did the bike as best I could, even if I hoped to do better.
I also met up with Léa and the cameras for a little relaxing time before starting the running race.
At that time I was 84th, but I felt good.
Here I go for 42km... uh... 44km :) We like it. After 2km, we enter a single track in a small forest where I come across oxen, bulls, cows, pigs... and a small river where I preferred to take off my shoes in order to have a pleasant run.
The climbs are short but quite steep and the descents are super smooth. I even saw a requi dancing at a refreshment stop... I took the opportunity to do a little dance of my island with him.
The beauty of the run course is magical...
At km30, I saw my wife and my son, I quickly took what I needed and I wanted to go ring this famous bell.
I raced with an Argentinian, whom I greet, he pulled me, I pulled him... This sharing in this race is just from another world.
Apparently my son left to join me before he could even see me... We both have a great connection.
500m from the finish my son was waiting for me with the Mauritian flag and he had the Chilean flag.
I saw this bell, I was just looking at it, I was pointing at it... I dreamed about it for months... It was even more beautiful than in the photos. When I was under it I rang it rang it rang it and I even kissed it before receiving my most beautiful medal and giving Ignacio a big hug.

There are 2 things that impressed me: The level of professionalism of the organizers, they set the bar for this race very very high and the security we had from the swim to the finish - Hats off

I didn't want to leave this moment