Wait – I’m Jumping Off That? The Norseman Xtreme Start

The Norseman Xtreme triathlon is renowned for many things, including the challenging bike course and the mountain-top finish run course. (Hang tight – we’ve got photos from those legs, too!) For many, though, it is the unique swim start that sets the race apart from all others. Race day begins with race morning registration and transition set up that starts at 2:45 am. Athletes board the ferry at 4 am for the trip out to the swim start. The athletes jump from the ferry into the cold water (this year’s reported temperature of 16 degrees was considered “as warm as it gets”) and swim to the start.

Slowtwitch was on hand to witness the jump into the water and the swim finish on hand – here’s part two of our four-part photo coverage of the Norseman event:

Taking a deep breath and getting ready to …

Jump!

Time to get swimming

Race director Fredrik Mandt helps swim leader Kristian Grue out of the water …

And he and his crew make sure all 258 athletes get the same treatment.

Eric McElvenny finishes the swim …

And gets his prosthetic leg organized. (He would go on to finish in 17:18:47)

Elyse Latimer, last year’s CanadaMan/ Woman champ, finishes the swim.

Julia Skala was a bit behind her goal pace out of the water, but would more than make up for it on the bike and run.

Tags: