If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my own journey through triathlon—and life—it’s that nothing is ever set in stone. I used to think you had to be an expert in every discipline before even daring to sign up for a race. As it turns out, every time I believed that myth, another athlete proved me wrong by swimming, biking, and running with unbreakable determination.

That same spirit sparkled in the World Triathlon Championship Series stop at St. Raphael on the French Riviera. This was the fifth of eight events on the 2023 championship calendar, following dramatic races in Abu Dhabi, Yokohama, Cagliari, and Hamburg. The sun-soaked atmosphere and enthusiastic home crowd set the stage for an unforgettable showdown in the swim-bike-run world we all love.

A Stunning Home Victory

From the moment the athletes plunged into the 750m swim, Cassandra Beaugrand radiated confidence. She’s an Olympic champion and a world champion—the type of competitor who appears born to deliver. This time, though, she had the advantage of racing in front of her home fans. Much like a long-term investment growing exponentially (and we often underestimate exponential gains), Beaugrand’s talent has been on a steady climb, and it showed in her flawless performance.

Lisa Tertsch led a swift pace in the water, but Beaugrand stuck with the lead group of yellow-capped favorites. Emerging from the waves, the race quickly transitioned to the bike, where the French triathlete joined an elite pack that featured Jessica Fullagar, Olivia Mathias, and the ever-tenacious Jean Lehair.

Early Aggression Meets Race Savvy

After T1, the roads winding through the French Riviera saw bold attacks and fierce breakaways. Tactically, this was masterful bike racing, with riders jockeying for position. Athletes like Leoni Periault—who had to bridge significant gaps after a middling swim—demonstrated the importance of consistency and persistence. (If there’s one myth worth busting, it’s that you can’t recover from an average start in a short-course format!)

Heading out for the run, Jean Lehair made a dramatic, aggressive move right from the second transition, seemingly determined to disrupt Beaugrand’s plan. This reminded me of the unstoppable grit of Lionel Sanders—“Mr. No Limits”—who shows us that in triathlon, you can always push beyond supposed limitations.

The Home Crowd Eruption & A Sprint Finish

Yet, the hallmark of a champion is race savvy, and Beaugrand didn’t panic. She waited, responded, and delivered the extra gear in the final meters, claiming an incredible home victory with a commanding sprint finish. The stadium-like roars on the streets of St. Raphael were proof that French fans got what they came for—a triumphant moment of national pride.

Even more impressive, Leoni Periault capped off her day with an energetic push to overtake Emma Lombardi in the dying seconds. Sometimes we underestimate that intangible element of adrenaline that kicks in when you think you’ve spent your last ounce of energy.