Mt. Tremblant is a beautiful resort, its residents had a warm welcome for the competitors and its rolling hills promised a fair and rugged challenge for the merely human triathletes. However, the likes of Javier Gomez, Jan Frodeno and Tim Don as well as Daniela Ryf, Jodie Swallow and home country favorite Heather Wurtele managed to rocket through the course in record times -- Gomez smashed the course record in 3:41:30 and Ryf sped through in 4:09:29 - raising the question - are they superhuman?

The 9th edition of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship was the first to be held outside the United States and Mont Tremblant met and exceeded all expectations for an exciting race and a great venue.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Daniela Ryf, with the guidance of coach Brett Sutton, is six-for-six in 2014 and can now set her sights on inaugural Kona with the status of serious contender.

Pro start just after a Canadian military jet whooshed by promptly at 8 AM.

Pros start to dive.

And they're off with the Mt. Tremblant Village and gondola in the background.

Ben Collins played a significant role joining Jan Frodeno in a bike breakaway.

One of the longest climbs on Highway 117.

Jan Frodeno did arrive at T2 ahead of Gomez, but the 4-time ITU World Champion outran the 2008 Olympic gold medalist for the title.

Two-time defending Ironman 70.3 World Champion Sebastian Kienle had an off day in all three disciplines.

Canadian favorite Brent McMahon leads a long string of chasers up the hill at Conception.

Jodie Swallow pushed Daniela Ryf on the bike leg, helping her to an unassailable lead at T2. Swallow took the silver.

Meredith Kessler finished 4th.

Defending champion Melissa Hauschildt, like Sebastian Kienle, had an off day. Some surmised it was because of heavy training for her Kona debut.

Jordan Rapp rides from the shade of the woods to sunlight.

Jan Frodeno's long legs fly on the downhill in Mt. Tremblant Village.

Tim Don looks like he needed a radiator as he went flat out on the run to 3rd place.

Canadian Lionel Sanders, famed for his run, actually had the fastest bike split of the day on his way from last at T1 to 4th at the finish.

Gomez basks in the cheers for the victory - his second world title in a week.

Heather Wurtele was the top Canadian on the day - a bronze.

James Cunnama congratulates Jodie Swallow with a kiss at the finish.

Terenzo Bozzone, his wife and relatives celebrate a top 10 finish with a café pizza.