Geens edges Blummenfelt in Dramatic 70.3 Ironman World Championship Sprint Finish
Lausanne, Switzerland – November 9, 2024 – Belgium’s pieter Geens claimed victory at the 70.3 Ironman World Championship today, narrowly defeating Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt in a thrilling sprint finish. The race, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, saw Geens and Blummenfelt battling stride-for-stride until the final corner, where Geens unleashed a powerful surge too secure the title.
The 70.3 Ironman World Championship represents the pinnacle of middle-distance triathlon, attracting elite athletes and age-group competitors from around the globe. this year’s event showcased a notably competitive field, with Blummenfelt entering as a strong favorite following his Olympic gold medal in Tokyo. Geens’ victory marks a notable moment for Belgian triathlon and underscores the growing depth of talent in the sport. The win secures Geens a championship title and sets the stage for continued rivalry with Blummenfelt in future competitions.
Blummenfelt established a commanding lead during the half marathon portion of the race,building a 20-second advantage over his closest rivals,including Geens and Germany’s Florian Schomburg. Geens relentlessly pursued, eventually closing the gap and overtaking Schomburg. Once at the front, Geens increased the pace, distancing Schomburg and leaving only himself and Blummenfelt to contend for the championship.
The two frontrunners ran neck and neck for the majority of the half marathon, maintaining a parallel pace until the final turn. geens then demonstrated a superior final sprint,crossing the finish line ahead of Blummenfelt.
Florian Schomburg finished fourth, overtaken by Norway’s Stornes in the closing stages. Denmark’s Bogen secured fifth place. Germany’s leonard Arnold placed 13th,followed by Lasse nygaard Priest of Norway in 25th,Fabian Kraft in 28th,and Nick emde in 40th.
