Michael Kimpton, President of the Whitsunday Triathlon Club and Race Director of the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival, is privileged to be selected to represent Australia at the 2025 Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, on 14 September.
This will be Michael’s seventh time representing Australia in international World Triathlon Championships, taking him to all corners of the globe, including St. George in Utah, Samorin in Slovakia, multiple times to Kona in Hawaii, Taupo in New Zealand, and previously Nice in France.
The event alternates annually between Kona, Hawaii, and Nice, France.
This year, the men will compete in Nice, while the female athletes will race at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, on 11 October.
Nice has a long history with Ironman, often called the birthplace of long-distance triathlon in Europe. Only the very best professional and age-group athletes in the world qualify for this race—a feat that requires finishing on the podium in an Ironman event somewhere in the world. Michael was fortunate to achieve this by finishing on the podium in his age category in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, earlier this year.
The epic race takes place along the Côte d’Azur, where competitors race from the Mediterranean to the mountains along the glamorous French Riviera. Athletes will pass through the beautiful old town with its historic architecture, marvel at the azure coastline, and soak up the sunshine as France’s most iconic communities cheer them on to the finish line.
The day begins with a 3.8km swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Water temperature will determine whether it will be a wetsuit swim. Athletes then transition to a challenging 180km rolling, hilly cycle course, followed by a 42.2km marathon run along the picturesque Promenade foreshore.
Legends are made at these World Championship events. Mental toughness is just as important as physical preparation, with strategies required to manage self-doubt, maintain focus, cope with discomfort, and build resilience through visualisation and motivation.
Michael has previously competed on this course during the World Half Ironman a few years ago. That event was an eye-opener and a real challenge. This time, with double the distance, it promises to be a “big day in the office.”
Michael would like to thank the many people who have made this journey possible: his remarkable wife, his biggest fan and supporter; his coach Tim Berkel, a five-time local Ironman champion worldwide; and his sponsors and partners Corry Cycles (Mackay), Steigen Performance Socks, Hoka Ceilo X1 runners, Wyn Republic Australia Triathlon suits, Endura Sports Nutrition, and Cliff Bloks for keeping him going.
Bring it on!
Contributed with thanks to Michael Kimpton
Michael Kimpton is ready to head to Nice for the 2025 Ironman World Championships. Photo supplied
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