The starts were indeed broken up to avoid having too many athletes close to each other, but despite the smaller numbers masks were still mandated early on while there was close contact.

The popular movie town Cannes made again for an astonishing background, and gave the athletes plenty to see and tough challenges to experience.

Up front in the men's race Nicolas Remires (FRA) and Francesc de Lanuza (ESP) of Team Envol battled hard for the title but in the end had to settle for third place.

Swedes Alexander Berggren and Max Andersson of Team Salming slowly moved up from 6th place to 2nd place overall and managed to grab that runner-up spot at the end and thus prevented a French team podium sweep.

Paddles and tether in place and pushing through the water.

The French team of Renaud Cadiere and Christel Robin on the way to third place in the mixed division.

A helping hand is always appreciated and part of this sport. Even among competing teams. Swedes Alexander Koller and Marika Wagner are very experienced among those lines but had to settle for 4th place in Cannes.

The top two female teams were battling all day and the front running Swedes Marie Anderzen and Annika Westin of Team Strömgren powered by Wato ended up taking the win in the end.

Through the town did not mean it was easy. There were plenty of stairs and steps to conquer.

Emily Comyn and Marine Beaury of Team Envol on the way to 4th place in the female category.

You have to be kidding me, that rabbit hole is for us? Are we in Alice in Wonderland?

But then again there was so much beautiful water to swim through.

In case folks forgot where they were, they got to run past the Cannes sign during the race.

The French race leaders Hugo Tormento and Matthieu Poullain of Team ARK Swimrun grabbing disposable cups on the way to the title. Usually teams have to bring their own collapsible cups, but to prevent folks from touching everything disposable cups have come back to the sport.

Through some pretty tricky terrain on the way to the next swim.

Those teams who expected a fully urban adventure in Cannes likely got a bit of a surprise.

The teammate who swims in second position usually just follows the feet of the partner, but sometimes it is helpful if 2 pairs of eyes do the sighting.

The very happy champions Marie Anderzen and Annika Westin

The men's podium and everyone back in masks.